The Book - The Man Who Loved The Truth.
The good news today, is that Satan is nearing the end of his reign
What power the devil has when he can interfere with a person's mind. When he can push thoughts into the mind without the individual knowing it. Now do you see why we need the Bible? Our only protection is God's Word of truth and the Spirit of Truth. If we ignore these we are at the devil's mercy, and he has no mercy. ( 1 Pet 5:8-11 )
But don't get the wrong impression. Satan is clever. He will often do things which at the first glance looks good. He uses charming, dynamic speakers to put across his false gospel. He is a master at the art of sugar-coating deception. The next Bible passage by Paul will illustrate what I mean;" For such men are false Apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as Apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.( 2 Co 11:13-15 )
Discerning error and recognising those who are teaching it is not easy. Remember it is the many who are on the wide road to destruction, and that is the road the devil wants to get you on. He is determined to rob you of eternal life in God's Kingdom. It is entirely up to you whether he gets away with it or not.
As stated previously, the devil's time is nearly up. When the Lord returns he will demolish all his visible and invisible organisations prior to the bringing in of God's wonderful kingdom.
So now let us examine some of the Bible's warnings against error. A classic example is found in the Apostle's letter to the Galatians; "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by 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 him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again; If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned. ( Gal 1:6-9 )
In this warning to the Galatians there is double emphasis on the condemnation that results from believing a false gospel. This calls for the utmost focus on discernment if we value eternal life.
Paul was so concerned that in such a short time the Galatians congregation were listening to and accepting, false teachings. He knew that this satanic ploy would put their eternal salvation in jeopardy. He even stressed that if he, himself or an angel from heaven was to preach a different gospel to his original one they must not believe it This was alluding to the fact that no one is above deception not even angels.
So we all need to be on our guard the whole time, studying our Bibles and praying accordingly. This applies probably more so today than at any time in the past. Just digest this prophetic scripture of our day: " In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction. FOR THE TIME WILL COME when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ( 2 Tim 1-5 Amplified Bible )
Yes, this is certainly happening on a vast scale today. Twisted, watered down sermons are the highlight of the modern menu. Lessons guaranteed not to disturb one's complacency, nor one's appetite for the Sunday roast. I well remember talking to an evangelical speaker who traveled to various churches giving one hour talks on Christianity. He had a reputation for delivering challenging sermons. So much so, he had to send a script in advance. This was so they could examine it and refuse his visit if there was anything likely to upset the congregation. He said he was getting less and less invitations all the time. He agreed with me that we are witnessing the end time signs of an extreme apostasy and Bible prophecy is certainly coming true.
The next warning scripture shows the intense worry and anxiety the Apostle Paul suffered through the problem of false teachers. This should tug at our heart strings: " I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you with tears. ( Acts 20:29-31 )
This makes me realise just how little Bible truth is taught in the churches!
In all the years I visited the main stream churches I never once saw a Pastor or vicar in tears. In fact I cannot remember ever listening to a sermon about error or false teachers. I had no idea that warning scriptures existed until I began reading the Bible myself.
What we have to realise from these warnings is that if we are believing, practicing or even condoning error, then we are not saved.
This is verified by Paul in a letter to the Corinthian church. This is what he said: " Now brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you,otherwise you have believed in vain. ( 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 )
Once you have been blessed with the truth from God's Word don't lose it.