TWISTING PSALM 46:10. I often hear naive Christians say something like, Well, they use the Bible. But that needs further qualification. Essentially all cults use the Bible. The devil himself selectively uses the Bible. When he came to tempt Christ he came quoting Scripture (cf. Matt. 4:6). The devils thing is DECEPTION and therefore he misuses Scripture. He twists it ever so slightly thus distorting the entire message. That is why it is essential to rightly divide the Word of truth (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15). We need to understand the Word in context for what it plainly says. New Agers and Eastern Mystics often want to use bits of Scripture in their rituals. A favorite text for them is the phrase from Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God. They often use this as a sort of mantra. The emphasis for them is two-fold. They want to 1) empty themselves (Be still), and 2) know that I am God. There focus is not on knowing that God is God but rather that they themselves are God. They will repeat I am God over and over and over. Instead of looking out to the sovereign God of Israel as depicted in the rest of the Psalm they look to the god within. Its within this stillness experience that many claim supernatural revelation. For example New Ager Eileen Caddy says, I was sitting in the stillness of a small private sanctuary there, when I heard a voice - a very clear voice- within me. I had never experienced anything like that before. It simply said, Be still and know that I am God. She writes: Yet I couldnt deny my experience. I know that God is within each one of us, within everything. Experience is her AUTHORITY. Right here in the quietness of experience, that is open to NEW revelation, is where the Contemplative Prayer Movement often intersects with the realm of the demonic. Instead of engaging the mind one is encouraged to let go of the mind and embrace stillness and openness to new spiritual experiences. That vacuum opens one up to the demonic realm. Many professing Christians who are open to the EXPERIENCE of further revelation are dangerously susceptible. Yes, be still and know that the God of the Bible is the SOVEREIGN God. Be still and know that He is God and you are not. Be still and know that He has revealed Himself in the Word of God. Be still and know Him for Who He is as revealed in the Word. I would encourage those meditating on Ps. 46:10 (a favorite verse of mine) to memorize and meditate on the entire Psalm. A text without a context is a pretext. When the devil comes with Scripture he always comes with a PRETEXT and he is more than happy to combine it with a convincing EXPERIENCE (cf. 2 Cor. 11:14). Be not deceived! Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Psalm 1:1–2 (NKJV) 1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 46:6–11 (NKJV) 6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah 1 Timothy 4:1 (NKJV) 1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 1 John 4:1 (NKJV) 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:22:06 +0000
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