Be Careful What You Believe!

Today there are many belief systems out there. Yet we know according to scripture, that God is not the author of confusion (I Cor. 14:33). So many things that are being taught today cannot be correct in God's eyes. In fact the scriptures say so. God's Word tells us that most people in the time before the rapture will reject truth and believe lies. This page is to help people to see that God is not in what many are being led to believe. And to prod people to rethink and re-read the scripture. To "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). This presentation will not be exhaustive, but will clearly show what the mind of God is concerning this subject, by using the Word of God.

2 Tim. 3:1-8 (1)"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." The scripture then lists several sins and finishes the list by saying that those people are (5)"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." So even though they sin, they still appear "godly." God further states that they are (7)"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." Along these same lines we read 2 Tim. 4:3,4 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." Today we have in Christendom many people trying to take the Word of God out of the peoples hands again, as they did in years past. These teachers are not physically removing it, but they are trying to get people to believe you cannot understand God's Word unless you understand Greek. Or that your understanding is incorrect and not reliable. God said He would preserve His Word unto all generations (Psalms 12:7), He has. Although not in a language that has been dead for hundreds of years. When the Word of God was written by the apostles it was done so in the language of the common people, not the dialect of royalty, but the people of the street. All that is needed to understand the Word of God today is a good Dictionary, possibly a good Concordance, and the Holy Spirit, the Author, in your heart. 2 Tim. 3:16 "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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." We are told, as I said before, to study to shew thyself approved unto God. Teachers are good, if and only if, they line up with God's Word.

Today we have churches on practically every corner, many claim truth and ever lasting life. Yet again God's Word tells us that few will enter in the straight gate (Matt. 7:13). Many will go in to the wide gate that leadeth to destruction. Even Christ is not welcome into many churches at the time prior to the rapture. Rev. 3:14 "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans" (rule of the people) "write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;" This is Christ referring to Himself. And where is He vs. 20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (22)He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churchs." He (Christ) is writing to the churches and asking to be admitted into the hearts of men. Christ is not welcome there. He is locked out. Yet many will acknowledge He is Lord. Matt. 7:22 "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23)And then will I profess unto them, I never (emphasis mine) knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Remember they have a form of godliness. They are deceived. In direct contrast to the Church at Laodicea, is the church just prior, in the writing of the book of The Revelation, and in the "Church Age" prior to the current age, the Church of Philadelphia. About this church, God had no bad things to write. Today many look down on old time religion, but it is clear from this passage that God is not happy with the Christianity of today, but He clearly accepts and promotes the Christianity of that time period.

Christ is God, and knows all things except what only the Father knows, and that is when Christ will return to get his own (Matt. 24:36). In the parable of the unjust judge, Christ says that even though God answers prayer quickly, true faith will be all but non existent. Luke 18:2-8 "(7) And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? (8) I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on earth?" The answer to verse 7 is, yes! As stated in verse 8. However the word "nevertheless" is used and is a word that stands in opposition to what is stated prior. So in opposition to the fact that God answers prayers quickly, true faith will be hard to find. Since Christ knows all things except when He will return, He knows the condition of the Church at that time, and it is bleak. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;" 1 Tim. 4:1 and we see in 2 Tim. 4:3&4 says "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

Now of course no one believes they are the ones guilty of such things. However, very few actually study the Word of God. Most just accept what they are told by the preacher or teacher they like. These teachers use God's Word to support their erroneous doctrines, but they "wrest...the...scriptures unto their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:16. To "wrest" is a word that is still used today although mostly in metal working. Its meaning is to "bend or twist from the proper course." The apostle John wrote in 1 John 4:1 "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." The next verse (1 John 4:2) says that "...Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God." We know that anyone can speak the words, Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, but if we consider what a confession is, we see that it usually incorporates involvement. Like someone confessing to a crime. So we see that the word confesseth means, to assent in the sense of a covenant (a formal agreement of legal validity), a promise, not just words. So when you look at a teacher or preacher, compare what they say to God's Word. If their speech is of things that sound good but through study contradict the Bible, reject them. Studying is not looking at a few verses. To study is to gather all that the scripture says about something and use it all to come to a conclusion of God's will (Isa 28:10). Only then will you not be ashamed before God (2 Tim. 2:15). Beware of those that speak things to tickle your ears, that tell you what you want to hear. Isaiah 5:18-24 talks about those that call good evil and evil good, They exist now. Today within the "church" we see sin openly accepted and practiced. Those that support such things will usually respond to questions with a remark like "Why are you living under the law and not under grace?" or "I can do all things in Christ." It is true, we can do all things through Christ in the sense Paul is writing Philippians 4:11-12 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Paul then goes on to state "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." After Paul lays the groundwork he says in verse 13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheth me" Christ does not strengthen someone to commit sin. And when it comes to Grace, Romans 6:1 proclaims "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" We are under grace, but that does not give us a license to sin. Verse 2 states "God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" and Paul continues his thought for several verses and says in verse 12 & 13 and in direct contradiction to the idea of "why are you living under the law and not under grace?" in verse 15 of chapter 6 in Romans "(12)Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. (13)Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (15)What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." Without any debate the answer is: God forbid, or NO, we do not have license to sin under grace.

Satan is a liar and the father of them (John 8:44), any movement from the straight and narrow path is of Satan or of man not wanting to follow God's will. Satan is intelligent and subtile, if he were obvious, no one would follow him. Remember that there will be false Christ's. Today everyone seems to be focusing on the name of Jesus, not so much on the "Lord" Jesus. The word Lord means "supreme in authority, controller, God, Lord, Master. Today we look at Christ as a big brother, a friend, which He is, but being a friend that sticketh closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), does not negate His being Lord. He is more than just "Jesus." 2 Corinthians 11:4 "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." After this Paul defends his character and his credentials, and then states (13)"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." Remember Matthew 7:22. Today another Jesus is being preached one that the doctrine of, does not line up with God's Word. The doctrine of devils it is. Be careful what you believe.

Today so many beliefs are so contrary to God's Word. Many in fact are less than 150 years old. I could list several here but it is not the purpose of this writing to do so. It is not the intent of this page to list teachings that are being presented today under the guise of Christ when they go against the Word of God. Instead it is to cause you, the reader, to study God's Word and to make sure what you believe is indeed Truth. I will in other writings touch on some of these. Be careful what you believe.

In conclusion. As I previously stated, false teachers will and do use God's Word to propagate their erroneous doctrine. However, usually it is done by taking verses out of context, or only using part of a verse and not the whole thing to support their ideas. Some times they use Biblical references for things that were used for a specific time period, and try to apply them to today (there are divisions within God's Word, 2 Tim. 2:15). NO matter how logical the argument appears, if it is not supported in scripture through study, it is not of God. "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace...." 1 Cor 14:33. Be careful "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" Ephesians 4:14. If it appeals to the flesh or to your natural nature, be leery. If you find that many of the beliefs you accept as truth are not according to the scripture, separate your self from them and join another church. 2 Corthians 6:17 "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" A Christian is to be a part of a local body of believers (Hebrews 10:25, I Cor. 12:18 etc.) so make sure it is founded upon God's Word. I believe that Satan does not care if you call him Christ or Jesus. Satan wants to be worshipped and followed, but it is my understanding that he wants to tear down or destroy God's kingdom more. The more people Satan can get to not enter in at the straight gate, the more victory he has against God. I like to use a dart board as my illustration. The very center of the dart board is small and hard to get into. Kind of like Matthew 7:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Satan does not care how close you get to the truth as long as you don't hit the bulls eye, the truth. You can go anywhere on that dart board you'd like except there. It is my opinion he would rather have you really close than really far away from the truth. Because the closer you are to the truth, the harder it is to differentiate between truth and lies. If you speak the same words and hold many of the same beliefs who is to say you are wrong and they are right. However, if you are far from the truth, it is easy to see the error. So in this sense, it is easy to apply verse 13 of Matthew 7 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:" Be careful what you believe.

Written By Jerry B