Bad Doctrine
John 8:32 (NKJV) says, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Listen to this, “You cannot know what I’m saying is true unless you know what the truth is. You cannot know what the truth is unless there is a truth to be known,” (Unknown).
There is a lot of argument within the body of Christ about who is right or wrong. “Well, I was raised in this religion and I believe this.” Or, “I believe that.” The world looks at Christianity as a joke given the many different opinions. They wonder, “How can I trust you when you can’t all agree?” Brothers and sisters, these things ought not be so. Jesus not only wants us to know real truth and to be free, but He has provided the way to freedom through and only through His truth. (John 8:32) God would not give us a way to something unless He intended us to get there. The very purpose of Christ on earth was to provide a clear and absolute path to truth. (John 14:6)
The Bible IS NOT up to interpretation and truth IS NOT subjective. Only a fool would create an instruction manual they want people to use, but then make it impossible for them to understand it. God is not a fool. God wrote His thoughts clearly, (through men inspired by the Holy Ghost), sealed it with His promise of protecting its integrity, then gave us His Holy Spirit to guide us and teach us as we study it. Either it is all true, or it is all a lie. It’s all true. There is no in between. The only hangup is this: will we allow the truth to form our opinion or will we allow our opinion to determine truth? (Romans 12:2)
Jesus and the apostles dealt with this same issue 2000 years ago and the Holy Spirit recorded it. Speaking to the “religious” people of the day, He said, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.” (Mark 7:9) Wow! You would do well to think on that one for a little while. Similarly, 1 Timothy 4:1 says, “NOW THE SPIRIT EXPRESSLY SAYS that in latter times some WILL DEPART FROM THE FAITH, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” If we casually read scripture, we will miss whole truths about God, faith, and how this whole thing works. Deceiving spirits are those who deceive THOSE WHO HAVE the Word of truth! Doctrines of demons are things people believe that do not line up with God’s Word. The Bible tells us this WILL HAPPEN!!! Let me give one other reference so you know I’m not just making things up. Galatians 1:8 says, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach ANY OTHER GOSPEL (truth) to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” In other words, what God meant then, He also means now, so much so, there is a curse put on wrong teaching! Sadly, though, people will follow wrong teaching blindly, then when trouble comes because they wouldn’t listen to the truth, they ignorantly blame God saying it must be His will. I have heard loads of Christian songs filled with garbage and God’s people singing them in His churches. What an absolute travesty that Jesus paid such a great price for God’s people to turn around and outright reject the very gift!
I have gotten into many “discussions” with well meaning religious people, whose tradition was so engrained in them that, despite having an abundance of clear scripture (not one random one pulled out of context), they outright reject the Word of God! That’s right! They would sooner believe what they always believed than to line their thinking up with Truth. People in this situation almost always revert to the same response, “Well, that’s how you interpret it.” That statement is a copout so sacred cows aren’t stepped on. They will label you an extremist or part of a cult to further push away what is being shown to them. Guess what though; they did the same with John the Baptist, Jesus, and all the apostles to the degree that they had to pay with their lives! In fact, Jesus even said in Luke 16:31, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.”
God wants His people to KNOW and UNDERSTAND the truth. So the question remains, how can we? Look at the scriptures but not just casually. Go back to them, think about them, read them in context and study the scriptures around them. There is after all, lots and lots of really good stuff in there! 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “ALL SCRIPTURE is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Word is truth, period! It is just as true as it was before. When you know the truth, only then can you be truly free. Learn from the Word of God and see your life changed like never before but also be willing to let it challenge you like never before. When you do this, you will start to know the truth. Then, and only then, will the truth be able to make you completely free!
Be Blessed,
Pastor Jeff
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