I was once deceived by false teachers. Now I realize that the Word of God is my greatest treasure because knowing God’s Word is our protection against deception. If you know the Bible well you will recognize false teaching when you hear it.
That’s why I warn others to read the Bible before reading books about the Bible. That’s exactly how I was led astray by false teaching: by reading books written by false teachers. Of course, I didn’t know they were false at the time, but in my enthusiasm to learn, I was led astray. And so were many others.
Learning God’s Word takes time and discipline, but it is essential for knowing the only true God. If you want to know God, turn to His Word. Can you imagine how many pages of notes it would take to write down everything the Bible teaches us about God, His attributes, and character?
Countless books have been written about how to intimately know God. Unfortunately, many of these books refer to mystical practices, such as contemplative prayer. But these practices are based on New Age, Hindu, and Buddhist beliefs. I come across these books or quotes by New Age teachers all the time.
If you don’t know the person being quoted, try this. Google: “Is ______ a false teacher?” If a discernment ministry has researched this person it will pop up. This is how I have discovered that several “Christian” writers were in fact steeped in occult beliefs. Of course, you must evaluate what is said and use discernment.
Pagan practices may result in a “feeling” of supernatural power which some mistake for the presence of God. One example is to repeat a mantra, to empty your mind, and to listen for God to speak. However, you will find this nowhere in the Bible. In fact, this is a dangerous practice based on the occult which the Bible warns us against.
“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
People want to experience the supernatural. They look for it and are enticed by it.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly].” Philippians 3:10 AMPC
But Paul also said this, “For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” 2 Corinthians 11:4
That tells me that some will come preaching a different Jesus, calling on a different spirit, and proclaiming a different gospel. This is not the Jesus we want to know. We want to know the only true and living God and Jesus His Son.
What is this different Jesus? It is one who doesn’t proclaim the truth of Scripture and is often in conflict with Scripture. It might be enticing and sound exciting but don’t be fooled by your emotions. Our emotions can lead us to believe what we want to be true instead of what IS true.
In these perilous times and in the days ahead, the truth of God’s Word is our most precious treasure and protection against evil. Do not look to mystics or pagan religions, like Buddhism or Hinduism, to learn how to know God. The Bible will teach you everything you need to know.
You can learn more about the dangers of contemplative prayer here.
“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
“Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.” Psalm 119:165
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
All Scripture references are from the NIV unless otherwise noted.
Photo by Tim Riesner on Unsplash
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