Don't Cave In To False Beliefs

 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8

The modern culture we live in is becoming less and less a moral Christ centered culture. Instead it has become one of tolerance for almost anything but what Christians believe. Our grandparents may not recognize today's world if they were to be alive today.  The Bible has been made to be old fashioned and not for today.  Sunday of yesteryear was a day for church and not much else except maybe a fun activity such as eating out or a movie. Sometimes when we hear the phrase "You've come a long way baby" it is not necessarily a good thing.

How do you know what to listen to and what to reject? The word of God is a standard for all things. Modernistic churches are even picking and choosing what is right and wrong. Just because the word 'church' is mentioned does not mean Christ and His teachings are part of it. Beware my friend. Today we are in a battle of good and evil, Satan and God. Pray the above verse for yourself and for your family. Pray for God to make you alert to the schemes of the enemy present in our world today. 

Who are you going to believe?

PRAYER: I need you in my life each and every day. Help me be able to discern wrong 'voices' and teaching and stay fixed on your truth. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS

What exactly is a false teacher and how do we protect ourselves from them?  My opinion is they are people in known cults who try to deceive and lead you away from the truth instead of to it. They are people who do not worship Jesus Christ but maybe some other god. You start believing lies and do not care to read the Bible to uncover the lies and find the truth.

They are wolves in sheep's  clothing. We know the enemy is out to destroy our lives and steal our soul. He wants nothing to do with the truth. The word of God is truth and if a certain church tries to twist scripture or not use scripture at all, beware. Many in cult churches may be so captivated they are even unaware of it being cult like. Bowing to a false god or a man instead of Jesus is wrong. If a person is not actively proclaiming the word of truth then you need to be careful. 

2 Peter 2:1-3 says 'But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.' 

Galatians 1:6-9 says the following 'I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!' Know your Bible so you won't be led astray to seducing spirits of the anti Christ. 

Some people try to say ministers on TV are false teachers but I beg to differ there. I watch  several good Bible teachers each morning on Christian TV and sometimes even get an idea for my blog from something they may have said. Being on TV does not automatically equate to being a false prophet. Some false prophets may be in local pulpits around the country.  Having a seminary degree does not automatically mean someone is right about everything. Do not be deceived. Study the word of God for yourself.

Matthew 7:15(NIV) says '

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.'  Think about that for a moment if you will. You can be tricked if something seems good but once you are sucked in to a cult movement it may be hard to leave. Colossians 2:8(ESV) says 'See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy  and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.' KNOW the truth. Read your Bible. PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you that your word is truth. I thank you for opening my eyes to sin in this world and protecting me from cults or false teaching. Help me use wisdom in discernment in what I believe. In Jesus' name. Amen.

SHEEP IN WOLVES CLOTHING WILL DECEIVE US

 Lying is so common to many people. To the anti Christ or his forces in our world it is the thing they do best. They lie, deceive, trick people and even make some feel they are Christians by  using just the right words. Do not be fooled. These people may look good but you will know them by their 'fruits'.  In the last days many confusing voices will say they read their Bible or pray or will even lie and say they are a Christian, but is their heart changed? Beware of false prophets and 'sheep in wolves clothing'. The Bible warns of false prophets and people who take others captive or deceive. They are roaming in our midst. Do not be fooled!

 Colossians 2:8 says "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ." Titus 1:16 says "They claim to know God but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfair for doing anything good." 1 John 2:4 says "The man who says ..I know Him, but does not do what he commands is a liar and the truth is not in him." Jude 1:4 says "For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago, have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and deny Jesus Christ our only sovereign and Lord." 2 Corinthians 2:14 says " And no wonder for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light."

Many will be deceived, it says in the last days. They will deny God's  power but frequently name drop and feel just because they say 'God Bless America' or something similar people will think they are the real thing. You need to be alert to these people amongst us in this world. Pray for discernment and wisdom.

 We should not wish ill or harm on these people, but instead be praying for them to come to repentance and accept Jesus as Lord. Just as there can be double agents in our world who really work for the enemy, there are double agents of sorts for Satan to, sent to lead us off the path and get us to believe lies. Be on your guard. Proverbs  24:17 says "Do not gloat when your enemy falls. When he stumbles do not let your heart rejoice." Pray for these evil people who deceive that they come to know Jesus.

Matthew 7:15 says "Watch out for false  prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ferocious wolves."

PRAYER: Lord thank you for the truth which will set us free. Keep me aware of any false teachers in my midst which may try to deceive me. I love you and you only Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.

TRAINING CAMP

What does it mean to train for something? If you are any sort of athlete you have to prepare yourself for your competition. An Olympian does not just show up at the Olympics and think they have any chance of winning unless they have prepared by hours and hours of physical training. Running a race such as a 5 or 10K takes preparation. You have to get up and get out of bed and get going. Goals have to be set and you have to keep striving to do your best. Training for a new job takes discipline of learning the ropes even if it gets hard and not giving up. Training is a disciplinary tool to get you to achieve a goal and have victory.

We are training to be disciples and prayer warriors for the Lord. We do not want to lose heart and give up. The enemy will try to discourage us and put thoughts in our heads that what we are doing does not matter in the big scheme of things, but it does. The world we live in is not on our side. We constantly will be fighting against anti Christian forces trying to snuff out anything to do with growth in Christ or speaking the name of Jesus. We are in a hostile world.

That is why it is vitally important to stay in your training mode. Train your mind to think good positive godly thoughts. Confess good things from your mouth. Keep on your knees in prayer. Do not give up. Wake up and start the day right. For the battles you will fight you need to equip yourself by getting into the word of God and knowing what it says about certain struggles you will encounter.

False thinking and false ideas will even come through well meaning believers. If you do not know what the Bible says about certain subjects you will start believing a watered down worldly version that may compromise the truth. Know that the enemy loves this. He loves it when he can get believers to believe the worlds lies. We are not of this world and are not to get sucked into the thinking of the world. It is hard not to, unless you are daily reading your Bible.

2 Timothy 2:15 says "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."  1 Timothy 4:8 says "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." Now this is not an excuse to get fat and not take care of temple of God but it is saying spiritual exercise is more important and has greater eternal value. 2 Timothy 3:15 says "and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." Seems like when our children leave the nest and head for college or wherever life takes them they start listening to other voices who get them to doubt God and question the Bible. Many leave the faith to the great despair of their parents. Keep in mind that you knew the truth and the enemy caused you to believe seducing spirits and lies. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 says just this "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron." When you do not saturate your mind with truth and if you do not stay in fellowship in a good church or wake up and have devotions it is easy to get spiritually flabby and to not care anymore.


1 Corinthians 9:24 says "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." You will have temptations. Things will try to come get you off course. You might fall away for a while. But keep looking to Jesus and resisting the lies of the enemy, Satan.

When you  worry you need to instead start being a warrior and soldier for the Lord. When you feel like your prayers are not being answered just hang on. Keep fighting the battle, keep praying and keep looking to Jesus the source of your strength. Despairing parents and others who feel like quitting your training program just remember what it says in Luke 18:1 and that is "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

PRAYER: Father I want to train to be in spiritual battle. There are days I wake up feeling no desire to open your word and study. Father I know this comes from the enemy as he does not want me equipped for the spiritual battles we face daily. Father help me to stay motivated and encouraged in my spiritual training program. If I am a parent help me release my children to you and ask that you guide them into all truth and keep them on the right path with a desire to love and serve you . Protect our minds from false teachers. In Jesus Name. Amen.

FURTHER READING: Romans 1:18-32

NOTE: When you have time listen to another wonderful praise and worship song I have included below. Click the link and worship the Lord.
http://youtu.be/IpzELELQ300