So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us. I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. – 1 John 2:24-26
As more and more new deceptions creep into the church, my prayer for my kids is that they will know what they believe and that they will not let any new ideas lead them astray. The devil is crafty and he doesn’t come at us with obvious lies. He knows that he has to wrap his deception up in pretty packaging that has appeal. Lies that don’t seem so bad on the surface, but once they’ve got a foothold the outgrowth is just bigger and bigger deception.
After all, what’s the harm in preaching from the pulpits some feel good, self-help sermons based on books by respected Christian authors? — There are plenty of seminars out there where we can go to hear inspirational speakers. Pastors are our shepherds and we need them to be equipping us with the Word of God! It will be far too easy for false doctrines to slip in if the Word of God is not the focus of the message. It is the Bible that should be preached from the pulpits!
Preach the word…with great patience and careful instruction. – 2 Timothy 4:2
And what’s wrong with yoga in church or “Destiny Reading cards” that give people hope for their future? Aren’t we just trying to “christianize” the things that the world is in to? — But these things are rooted in the worship of other gods. The Bible clearly warns us that we must never mix darkness in with light. Why would want to in any way resemble practices of other religions and cults?
Do not bow down before their gods or worship the or follow their practices. – Exodus 23:24
And of course there can’t be anything wrong with telling everyone that God would never send them to hell as long as they are nice people, right? — That is the scariest lie of all! It is like telling someone that the cancer they have is just a “little cancer” and they don’t need to do anything to treat it. This is the lie that will lead to a whole bunch of “good people” ending up in hell because they did not see their need for Jesus! The most important message we can ever share with the world is the Gospel message:
1 – You are a sinner and your sin has separated you from God. There is nothing you can do on your own to absolve yourself. In fact, the Bible says that your good deeds are like filthy rags to God. (Isaiah 64:6)
2 – God knew all along that you would need someone to pay the price for your sins. And Jesus’ blood is the only acceptable payment for your sin debt. Jesus did not die for his own sins (because he was sinless). He was pierced for our sins. (Isaiah 53:5)
3 – Once you realize that you need a Savior and cry out to Jesus, he will come into your life and God will no longer see you as a lost sinner but as a redeemed child. (John 1:12)
Beware!! Don’t let yourself fall for any new ideas that twist the truth of the Word of God in anyway. Don’t allow even the tiniest seed of falsehood to take root in your life. Ask God to give you discernment and test the spirits. (1 John 4:1)
You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,” declares the Lord. – Jeremiah 9:6