There is a simple fact today. Mainly this, most Christians are not interested in the truth. They are interested in doctrine. Doctrine is that which separates us. Truth is that which brings us closer to Christ. Doctrine can puff up because it is based on knowledge and knowledge can puff up. Truth brings us to humility because it corrects our spirits. Doctrine can be taught by men. Truth can only be taught by God to our spirits. Doctrine may mislead us. Truth, however illogical, against the grain or peer pressures of even our teachers, however against society norms and pressures, cleanses us and leads us down right paths.
Not all doctrine brings us to truth. Sometimes it can lead us to error and darkness. Sometimes it can lead us to lies. Doctrine is like a container that holds water. It can be a system of delivery for water which brings life or poison that brings death and enslavement.
Thousands go to Bible colleges each year. Do they know whether the doctrine they are taught is true? It may be logical. It may make sense spiritually comparing scripture to scripture, but, is it TRUTH, God's truth? If they were in error would they know?
Men go to seminary every year and are taught doctrines by men who hold high degrees of respect and admiration. Men who write great books. Do they know what they are taught is God's truth and not just man's?
God wants us to know the truth. Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." Consider this, Satan has a great plan to hide the truth from us, and to distort what truth we do receive. If we were given great lies through the instruments of doctrine would we know it?
I once had a pastor who who disagreed with me on a subject and would not open his Bible with me. He said I knew where he stood and he wasn't going to change his mind! How does he know he was right about it? What if there was the possibility he was wrong? What about the consequences he might be creating in others lives? After all, what he believed was based on what he was taught by others. Does the Lord expect us to blindly follow pastors or teachers who are mere men and capable of error?.
Often I find these traits present in men delivering doctrine that is not true,
- The person giving the doctrine feels the need to be loud because loud is perceived by others as power of God and his anointing. Along with this may use a trained speaking style similar to a radio personality using words that stir the emotions.
- They often cut you off while speaking to them or questioning them about their doctrine. Sometimes this is accompanied by a "show" of credentials whether verbally ("I'll have you know I went to four years of seminary!") or implied ("When I was in seminary learning Greek and studied under so-and-so, etc."). This is opposite from one who sincerely wants to listen to what you have to say and is interested not only in your welfare spiritually but also your growth in Christ.
- The perception of their message is that their doctrine is the only possible truth.
- They are esteemed by others. People walk away talking about how great a teacher they are instead of quiet in their spirits and humbled by the truth of the spoken word.
- There is turmoil instead of peace, guilt instead of conviction, fear instead of faith. They leave you upset and more confused, (unless you just give into the turmoil and accept it "as is" just to have peace in your spirit instead of seeking the Lord's mind in his word and through prayer).
James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Galatians 5:19-20
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
We need to remain faithful to the word of God. The Holy Spirit will let our spirit know when things are wrong if we are remaining close to him and are more open to his leading. This happened recently when someone posted a comment on my wife's blog implying our family needed to be more involved in all kinds of worldly things to win the lost, and defended it by saying, "we need to be in the world-not of the world". As soon as I read the statement the Holy Spirit nudged my spirit of the corruption of his word. Any distorting of God's word, even for the right reasons, corrupts it. Here is the scripture referred to in her statement,
John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Christ's prayer for his disciples in the scripture above was that his father would not take them out of the world. That prayer has already been answered for the disciples and for us. We are in the world still. She had taken a prayer "request" and turned it into a "command" implying worldliness and fellowship with the lost on their terms was ok for the gospel's sake-(Note: I am not talking about going out among unbelievers found in what is called the "great command").
Compare this with,
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 and 7:1
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
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,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
See how easily the truth can be perverted? Let us sit at the Lord's feet to learn the word of God with a love for his truth alone.
* All verses KJV- just because I like it
The Writer.
