Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Disappointed in Pursuit of Truth- Spiritually Confused?

Most probably you are reading this post because you searched for some spiritual matter and ended up here. We are living in times when we have so many tools available for gaining information and knowledge about any subject. Internet is a good tool for that. But I am going to share a concern today which you may have also faced in your life.
Now let me tell you something. I was born in a traditional Christian family. I know this term sounds strange to some people as one person once asked –“How can a Christian be traditional?” Well I will talk about it sometime later and let’s get to the point. But when I was 16yrs I got the opportunity to confess my faith in Christ and take water baptism and was part of a Pentecostal church. Since then at times I found it a challenge to accept many practices and teaching of people of different denominations. But I never faced any issue or conflict in regard to what I believed about subjects like sin, justification, sanctification etc.

The messages I used to hear from different preachers never contradicted in regard to foundational teachings of Bible. But for some time now I am listening and exposed to too many new teachings. I am sure that I am not alone in this situation but there will be many who are in similar situation. There are so many preachers out there. Everyone is preaching Jesus Christ. But the difference is there in their messages. Everyone claims that God revealed it to them and wants to us to believe that that’s the supreme revelation. Everyone has a different version and idea about all subjects in Bible. One side you have prosperity preachers. Other side is extreme grace. Then there is a person who says you should not sing the song- Blessed be the name of the Lord because God cannot take away. Then things like animal signs of Holy Spirit. What to do? Confused?

Well if you are in such situation then you need to take some drastic steps else you will end up in a big mess. First thing I want to tell you is that don’t run after each and every preacher. Then read the Bible on a regular basis and look for yourself what the Bible says. Just don’t believe what the preacher wants you to believe but believe what Bible says. As days pass we see false teachers and preachers arising.
Read these verse:-
  • Matthew 7:15 -"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
  • Matthew 24:11-“.. and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”
  • Matthew 24:24-“For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.”
  • Mark 13:22-“For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible.”
  • Luke 6:26-“ Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.”
  • 2 Peter 2:1- But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
  • 1 John 4:1-Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
My advice is don't yield to any teaching which is contrary to the sound doctrine found in the word of God. Make your personal Bible reading and meditation the first source for learning. Don’t allow books and Cd’s of preachers decide what you believe.
I plan to study & write about some of the heresy and doubtful teaching which are flooding the spiritual circles.
Don’t get disappointed in pursuit of truth. Don’t run behind everything and get confused. I will add some video links in few days which will help you to understand and overcome some of the concerns I wrote in this post.
Till then dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

May God Bless You!

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