Have you ever wondered if what the preacher is saying is REALLY the Truth from God's Word or just some twisted version of it? I hope so! It is my experience that to many confessing Christians out there take what they hear on Sundays and Wednesdays for granted. Please understand my heart here.... if the man of God is seeking God and studying to show himself approved unto God then hopefullly this won't even be an issue. However, in our culture today, selfish motives are ruling many pulpits around America! The lost world gets a social gospel message from Joel Olsteen and Benny Hinn. They get the wrong picture entirely about God's character, desires, and love and the world unfortunately hates Jesus and the church because of it! These "false prophets" lay waste to the purity of God's Word and Ways and leave miles of carnage behind! And unfortunately it's not just Joel and Benny too!
"Turn my eyes from worthless things and give me life according to your ways." -Psalm 119:37
I am the son of a preacher and a preacher myself. Over the past 10+ years I have spent many long hours pouring over God's Word to try to find the REAL TRUTH and find in context of Scripture! I don't pretend to have this whole Book figured out but I know that it requires work and not spiritually impoverished people throwing together a lukewarm version of it the night before the supposedly preach it! Read Philippians 2:12-13. Although salvation is a free gift of grace from God, it still requires you to work through what you believe! I employ you Christian, take off the bib and say no to the bottle of immature teaching and preaching! Move on to some meat of the Word of God and leave the elementary truths!
Well, how do I do that? I'm glad you asked! If you want to start taking accountability for your belief system, your faith then you have to put the work in here! Here's some suggestions.
(1) Know the Word. This requires you to spend time in it daily. Marinate on it. Think about it. Memorize it. Then, when you hear a false version, you know the truth! Remember, truth is freedom from chaos and confusion!
(2) Prove It in 3s! Thanks Mom! My mother taught me to verify every truth of God's Word by three Scripture texts. Anybody can take one verse and twist it to support any selfish motive or sin. If you can't find that truth in 3 texts, I can assure you that is not the FULL TRUTH of God's heart!
(3) Discuss It With Spirituall Seeking Christians. Notice I said "spiritually seeking Christians." Not all "Christians" are spiritual! Find some like-minded Believers and let iron sharpen iron! Get involved in a Bible believeing, Bible preaching church!
(4) Trust the Holy Spirit's Discernment. God's great gift isn't just Jesus Christ. Christ left the Holy Spirit to be our guide and conviction in such things. When your spirit says something is wrong, trust it enough to reseach it! This requires an active prayer life that is plugged into the heart of your Creator and a pursuit of holiness that leaves not connection problem with your God!
(5) Research Your Teachers, Preachers, and Spiritual Leaders. Leadership has to be earned! Nobody can just step into your church and claim authority outside of Jesus Christ! No diplomas or resume can instantly give him credability! It has to be earned! Don't go looking for closet secrets, but evaluate his consistency in teaching and preaching context of Scripture. I would suggest those spiritual leaders who spend more time preaching and teaching expositionally (verse by verse through Scripture) than just topically all the time too! You get deeper and you don't miss stuff!
I hope this helps! Put work to you faith! You be accountable to your growth! I promise that the joy is in the journey!
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