To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 NIV
My thoughts: In a day of great deception, there is one sure way to know what is right and what is wrong, what is false and what is true.
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
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“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints.” Jude 3 NASB (emphasis mine)
Amplified Bible Footnote: There is no “secret knowledge” or “better way” or alternative belief system which God has revealed to some unique group or teacher. The truth is available to everyone.
It is the Holy Bible, the Word of God.
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
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There are no convenient shortcuts that I am aware of when it comes to immersing oneself in the study of God’s Holy Word. Similarly, there are no quick paths to acquiring the skill of exercising Biblical discernment and diligently testing all things. The cultivation of these essential priorities demands time, unwavering dedication, and a sincere and prayerful pursuit of God’s wisdom.”
Bruce Cooper, Reasoned Cases for Christ
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
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We live in a time of great delusion. This is no time to depend on our own opinions. This is a time when the only source of truth that can be trusted is God’s Word, the Bible. Everything we hear or read must pass the litmus test of God’s Word.
“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. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3 NIV
To understand what is happening in our world today, we must be students of the Bible or risk being deceived by our enemy “Satan, who leads the whole world astray.” (Revelation 12:9)
Hamas, who committed heinous, evil atrocities against Israel is being supported and defended by millions of people around the world. How is this possible?
They are deceived. They believe the lies and propaganda. Christians are not immune to this deception. The only safeguard against deception is the discernment that comes from knowing God’s Word.
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1
My question to you is this: Should the Church speak out, or should they be silent? Few churches are speaking out against the evils of this present time such as antisemitism, transgender ideology, sexual perversion, and abortion.
Our culture is at odds with the teachings of the Bible. Although persecution is not a stranger to Christians in many other parts of the world, America is beginning to see extreme religious persecution for the first time.
Antisemitism around the world has increased dramatically. And pressure to support anti-Christian ideologies is alarmingly strong. Being a Christian isn’t getting easier, but it is vitally important! I am reminded of the Scripture that says,
“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” Jeremiah 12:5
Face it. Americans don’t live in a culture with a Judeo-Christian worldview anymore. Will we compromise or stand for truth? Consider the words of Jesus,
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (Emphasis mine)
I don’t know about you, but I want to be free and I want others to be free.
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:6
(All Scripture references are from the NIV.)
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You cannot be a discerning person if you are not studying your Bible.”
Rev. Rodgers Atwebembeire, Gospel Coalition, Africa
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
PRAY FOR ISRAEL
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Discernment is scarce in the Church today. And people who lack discernment usually think they have it. But let’s say you are a person who has diligently studied the Bible, and you have honed the skill of discernment. You recognize false teaching when you hear it because you know the truth of God’s Word well.
Now what? How does one use that discernment in a Godly way? It isn’t as easy as it sounds. The following words from Hannah Anderson spoke to me as I contemplated this question.
“Discerning people use their insight to serve those around them…They use knowledge to build up and unify – not to tear down or create division…Sometimes this means having the patience to wait while others think through what you already know…Sometimes it means foregoing your preferences for the good of others. Sometimes it might even mean being misunderstood precisely because others can’t yet see what you do… They resist the temptation to flaunt knowledge or prove themselves right.”
Hannah Anderson
This calls for a meek and gentle spirit when correcting a fellow believer. This calls for love to be our motivating factor. It calls for putting the interests of others above our own.
I’m not suggesting that we compromise – not for a moment, not ever! I believe we have a responsibility to speak the truth, but you can’t make someone see what they don’t see. In fact, many times your next step is simply to pray for them. This is why it is so important to be led by the Holy Spirit in these matters.
Discernment is God’s call to intercession, never to faultfinding.
Corrie ten Boom
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4
I realize that this post is addressed to a very specific audience. But I think it is something we should all think about.
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15
What will you do if you discern error in your local church? Will you speak out or will you remain silent?
In His Love, Cindy
Read more about discernment in this post:
How To Be a Discerning Christian
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
All Scripture references are from the NIV unless otherwise noted.
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Some say, let’s all just get along. We all worship the same Jesus.
That’s certainly the easy road. But is it the right road? If you say, I don’t want to rock the boat, then ask yourself this: “Who will?”
The Apostle Paul wasn’t afraid to rock the boat. He spoke out boldly for the truth.
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” Galatians 1:8-9 NIV
Wow! Isn’t that a little harsh, Paul? No. It is not. It is our example. Consider this Scripture verse:
“ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV
You may be wondering, What is she going on about? OK. Fair enough. I am going to share some information with you about “The Chosen” that you may be unaware of.
Get Ready. I’m going to “ROCK THE BOAT”!
The link below provides the most thorough, thought-provoking coverage of The Chosen that I have seen. I hope you will read it.
My question to you is this: Would we rather live in ignorant bliss, or are we willing to examine the facts?
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
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God calls His children to study, understand and defend the truth because the truth does matter to God. Faith, in and of itself, is not what God is looking for. It’s not enough to be sincere or intense. Faith, in and of itself, has no magic power. It’s a faithful, reasonable trust in the truth that matters to God. Trust placed in the correct and true God of the universe is what matters to God. That’s why God is so particular about truth and calls us to have an accurate understanding of who He is. And that’s why God has called us to treat heresy very seriously.
J. Warner Wallace
This quote was taken from the article, How Should Christians Respond to Heresy?
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
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Discernment is a discipline, and like other disciplines such as prayer and reading the Bible, it is one that all Christians should seek to practice deliberately… It is a discipline we must practice.”
Tim Challies, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment
I highly recommend this book to all Christians who want to have spiritual discernment.
Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
RealChristianWomen.blog
“Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 AMP
We know the enemy is actively working to deceive unbelievers, but he is also working to deceive the Church. It was true in the first century and it is true today. The Bible repeatedly warns us about Satan’s evil strategy to deceive “even the elect”.
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.” Matthew 24:24-25 NIV
The Bible strongly and clearly warns us that Satan will try to deceive us. We must be on our guard. We must be careful not to believe everything we hear, but instead to be like the Bereans who “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11)
Imagine that! The Apostle Paul was personally teaching them about Jesus, but still, they checked the Scriptures every day to see if what he said was true! We should be so wise!
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people … but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” Romans 16:17-20 NIV (emphasis mine)
The Amplified Bible says, “They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting…” We like to think we aren’t naive but are we unsuspecting?
The Greek word translated as naive in the NIV is akakos. It means unsuspecting or innocent. Many Christians are led astray by false teaching. Sometimes it’s because they don’t know the Scripture. And sometimes it’s because they are innocent and unsuspecting. In fact, they are often enthusiastic and eager to learn! Remember, leading this assault on truth is Satan.
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3 NIV
The Apostle Paul is warning Christians that Satan will try to deceive them just as he deceived Eve.
I am astounded at the level of false teaching flooding the Church today. It was bad in Paul’s day, but it is even worse now. YouTube and Book Publishing have given the wolves in sheep’s clothing the ability to quickly make money and gather a following. Even good, Bible-believing churches are giving a nod to books and Bible studies that are not sound. Satan is behind all of this. He is a liar and there is no truth in him.
We must heed the Bible’s many warnings and carefully examine what is being taught, comparing it to Scripture.
Satan’s strongest defense against spiritual discernment, his ace in the hole, is to make the Christian think he can’t be deceived.
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
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