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A modern understanding of false teaching being Introduced False doctrines spread like virus (the Bible explains it as leaven). We can be inoculated to be immune to these virus’. The only way is by knowing the truth, the Scripture to distinguish what is error. These doctrines can be introduced by stealth or openly, even by force. If done by the later they must be met by equal reaction and open exposure, not just a warning. The most extreme example is that false teaching is like a poison introduced into the body system that will affect the health of the body. The longer it circulates the harder it is to purge and cure. The problem we see occurring today is that many Scriptures are taught out of context which does remove it from the framework it was written in. Then we are taught portions of truth. We cannot understand the details correctly without grasping the whole matter in context first. Christianity is about the heart, the life of an individual being changed, conformed to the likeness of Christ. It is not a promise for success in life, becoming affluent or living the life you desire (like Joel Osteen teaches, your best life now). You may encounter more hardship than you ever had before you became a follower of Christ. Phil 3:10-11 Paul writes “ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” The test for every church 1 Cor.11:18-20 “ For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.” Bible doctrines for the most part are crystal clear, not cloudy as some make them. Especially on the main doctrines. There are those who speak out against what is false, Paul says in the divisions caused by false teaching we are to recognize those approved of God because they are in AGREEMENT with the writings and side with them, not against them. We often hear there are so many interpretations of the Scripture - who can really know? The one who inspired the writers of the Scripture is God - the Holy Spirit. As born again believers we are given the Spirit of God (He lives within us) and has a ministry for the believer- to teach us and lead us into all truth. We do not need a consensus to understand what the Scripture means, we do not take votes on statements like the Jesus Seminar does to decide what should be in the Scripture. Nor do we need a Pope to change what is written to the church by adding men’s traditions. We are not to be like the Roman Catholic magisterium, nor are we to trust a denominations position nor those who claim apostolic or prophetic offices. Nor do we use books outside the Bible historical records to ‘better interpret the Scripture.’ The Holy Spirit who is the author of the Word teaches us the meaning of words of the Bible. As we compare other revelation[s] to the Bible the Holy Spirit shows us whether the Qur'an, the Book of Mormon, the Urantia book, or any other book that contradicts his already delivered Word are not His inspiration. And we should not consult them for our living the Christian life. These are long shadows cast upon the church in our modern day just like the gnostic books were early on. The attacks have been from the beginning but now it is a flood. Our acceptance and interpretation of Scripture is not subjective but objective. We do not go on feelings though a feeling can accompany our understanding of the Word, for we are body soul and spirit. If you or I cannot discern "the intended meaning of the Holy Bible," by study and the help of the Holy Spirit -- who can? Do we go to a Pope, or those who boast a special anointing, the modern Gnostics? Scripture was made for ordinary people to become extraordinary followers of Christ. How could you or I, or anyone else today know whom to look for to understand the correct interpretation of the Bible? If you are suggesting that no one can know, then God has given us a book that we cannot understand. But he also gave us the Holy Spirit and words we can read that should make sense. The fact is without the help of the Holy Spirit it is for the most part not understandable. But he, the helper is called ‘the Spirit of Truth’ and is there for anyone who seeks to understand. So how do we arrive at truth? We rightly divide the Word. We gather all the information on a certain subject and see the consistency in it. First we need to understand the overall view then we can work out the details in portions. Then we can refer to commentaries of trusted authors to help us as God has helped them to understand. A good and faithful servant will among many things check to be sure that what he is being taught is the truth. An example- no one wants to ride in a car with bad driver, or a drunk driver. They can’t trust their life to them. We all want responsible people behind the wheel. It is just as important for those who stand behind the pulpit. If you drive badly you can have your license removed. The Church does not remove ones credentials unless it is a moral failure. Speakers come up with new doctrinal revelation all the time, they claim God said or taught it to them or they drew it out of the Scripture. This is what the teachers of falsehood have made it, they are now the majority voice on TV and Radio so everyone thinks this is what Christianity IS about. Don’t expect admittance of wrong or an apology for making large amounts of money from books or DVD’s sold with their false teaching. It’s about them not you. When you buy a food product do you ever look at the ingredients? There are fillers that are harmless and then there are others that are allowed but should be part of the product. There are additives that should not be ingested but are there for weight or keeping the product intact. This certainly relates to those who teach that do not bring health spiritually but satisfy our carnal, or fallen nature. There is no spiritual growth or help to bring maturity in Christ. These sermon portions they give are meaningless, stories, fantasy teachings that have nothing to do with Scriptures truth. So we should not expect these words to bring health but stagnation. Paul writes, " If any man think himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord " (1 Cor. 14:37). It was upon this basis that the early church recognized genuine Scriptural teaching and tested the rest as the Scripture was being delivered to them. And this is to be our standard for us today, do they speak according to the Word already written? Is God working with his truth written or are they conveying their own concepts and leading you away from the Word? It is up to each of us to keep ourselves safe and in the faith once for all delivered to the saints.
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