Visions, dreams and sound doctrine and how do or should they play a role in our daily lives? This is a topic that certainly needs some clarity. The gullibility faced by so many Christians worldwide is of serious concern. The way in which whatever seems to be spurred out of the mouths of whoever has anything to say, so long as they fly a Christian flag, regardless of their teachings seems to be devoured. Babies are the ones that put everything to their mouths. But as we grow we learn to be selective. As Christian we should have the same objective and be like the Bereans (a people in the book of Acts that tested what the apostles taught to make sure they were legit - Acts 17-11), we must test what is being said by all, against the Word of God, the Bible! Please test what I am saying...
The very First question I want us to ask is this? What is the most important lesson in life? And before you read on, think about it and then see what comes to mind… This gives us insight to where we are with our Christian travels.
In my opinion, it must be the aligning of our wills to the Word of God. God’s voice must be our number one priority, and obviously this encapsulates the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle John, the one known as the beloved disciple, the man who had a place of rest reserved for his head on the chest of Jesus. The Disciple of love, starts his gospel with these words and it would be good for us to digest and then allow this to become a mantra for our lives; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
We see creation and we are gobsmacked by the beauty of it all. It’s the way God has informed us of His existence - see Romans 1, but for us to shift our attention and place all our energies on the planet at the expense of the Creator is where so many have erred from the potential relationship available to them in and through the finished work of the cross. Creation is not God’s supremacy but rather the evidence of His influence. His power resonates with his voice, it’s only when we do not value His voice as our number one priority to our lives, that we lose our way.
Let us go back to the beginning; “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” God said and it happened, period! Mankind’s power echoes with “stuff”. Money brings with it positions of power, but only in this world, which will eventually be thrown into the fire. We need material to create something, a carpenter needs wood to build a table, God depends upon his Word and it happens, “God speaks” and it materializes. How often do we say something but end up not following through or doing the exact opposite to what we have openly confessed?
How did sin enter the realm of humanity? Sin entered in when Satan the serpent deceived Eve. How did it happen? He challenged the word of God; “Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1) – Any deviation to God’s word should send out alarm bells in our heads. As it could be a trap to deceive.
However, until we understand the awesomeness of God's voice in and through His Word, the Bible, we will always be clutching at straws to find motivation for our lives. If it sounds palatable, so many of us are quick to put it to our mouths and swallow, No! We must not comport ourselves like this, it is time to grow up, for the time of great testing for the believer is not far away. The Apostle Peter reminds us that testing must begin with the household of God, “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”" (1Peter 4:17)
With that fundamental truth laid as our foundation, the building blocks we add to our understanding must be reinforced by the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever is declare across social media platforms must be tested against the Word of God, the Bible must be referenced correctly and contextually for us to arrive safely.
Let me mention a few warnings before we
move on…
When God wills something and announces
a truth it will come to pass. Do you believe this? “Now
the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith
by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through
the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared…” (1 Timothy 4:1-2)
The Spirit of God teaches us, those who have ears to hear must realise that “some will depart from the faith” and it’s imperative that we are not amongst that number, wouldn’t you agree? How will they be lured? They will devote “themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons”. This is not a possible reality but rather a fact, it will happen, end of story. Liars who have had their conscience seared will spurt out all sorts of garbage for their own gain in this life. We must be warned about them and resist them will all we have.
Another warning that we must observe; “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness (holiness- added), he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.” (1 Timothy 6:3-4…)
Therefore when a scripture is quoted out of context or twisted in any way we must be careful, we may want to conclude that it’s an honest mistake, and it could be, but it shouldn’t be, if we have given the topic any study at all. At the very least, a red flag must be applied to our understanding.
Yesterday’s on a communal group I am part of, a teaching from Joyce Meyer was shared. She opened her service with Matthew 6:33 and I quote “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you”. The danger of this type of delivery, is that when a part of the verse is left out the meaning takes on a different perspective; In the Bible it reads, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and all these things will be added unto you. Now I have referenced 5 different translations and “his righteousness” is penned in all of them. The King James Bible, ASV, HCSB, NIV and the ESV. It would then appear that leaving that out must have been a calculated move. I’ll leave it at that, you must come to your own conclusion.
Father God, please give us eye salve, so that we may see clearly and bring you the due benevolence you so richly deserve. To God be the glory now and forever more, Amen and Amen!
Signing off
Tyrone
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