Tag: Word of Faith

Christian

How to Study the Bible: What I’ve Learned

Cindy Dawson

1. Study the Bible before you read books and/or listen to popular YouTube preachers. Read it cover to cover at least once, twice, or more.

I’ve loved to study the Bible for over 40 years. Unfortunately, in those early years, I made some big mistakes that led me to false teaching. I got up before dawn, before I had to get my children ready for school, so I could study the Bible.

The problem was this: I looked to books about the Bible and to popular “Bible teachers” for understanding. Even though my heart was after God, I was seduced by Word of Faith teaching, which eventually led me to become heavily involved with a NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) church.

Seduced? Yes seduced! It can be very enticing to read books by popular “Bible teachers” who appear to understand the deeper things of God.

2. Study verses in context.

In other words, if you read a single verse but fail to interpret its meaning from the context, you might completely misunderstand its meaning. For example,

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 ESV

“All things” means all things. Right? I can win this football game! I can get this job! Wrong!

Only when you look at this verse in context will you understand what Paul was trying to convey. First of all, Paul wrote this letter from a Roman prison with no idea of its duration or ultimate outcome. (“…I am in chains for Christ.” Philippians 1:13)

And in chapter 4, look at verses 11 and 12:

“I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Read full chapter

Paul is teaching the church at Philipi to stay hopeful, encouraged, and joyful no matter their circumstances.

This is one of many examples of a verse taken out of context to teach a false interpretation. Always study verses in context.

3. Use a good Bible translation.

Personally, I like the NIV, the ESV, and the NASB. Be aware that some Bible translations are not reliable. For example, The Passion Translation is not considered an accurate or reliable translation by many scholars and critics. (See Holly Pivic’s article, ” Important Facts about the Passion Translation for more.)

Personally, I do not recommend The Message Bible for several reasons. You can find several articles that provide critical information about this Bible HERE.

Conclusion: If you do these three things, you will be well on your way to understanding the Bible correctly. These are things I learned the hard way. But God is faithful! He rescued me from deception.

My Advice: Seek Truth. Love Truth.

Other posts related to this topic:

The Skill of Discernment

Rescued From “Word of Faith”

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Jews

The Truth About Declarations: Biblical vs New Age Views

Cindy Dawson

1-minute read for Friday, 7/10/25

“Who can speak and have it happen
    if the Lord has not decreed it?” Lamentations 3:37 NIV

Although some view declarations as a way to manifest desired outcomes, that’s not what the Bible teaches us. They say, “Start building your faith today by speaking these declarations of faith for your finances, healing and relationships.”

The concept of making declarations, particularly affirmations and decrees, is strongly associated with New Age spirituality.

But as the verse above says, we cannot speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it.

For a more in-depth study of this topic, please see these posts from Reasoned Cases for Christ:

Framework Series – Through the Maze of Evangelical Christianity – Word of Faith Movement – Part 1 of 2

Framework Series – Through the Maze of Evangelical Christianity – Word of Faith Movement – Part 2 of 2

In His Love, Cindy

Before you go, please see my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

In His Love, Cindy

Before you go, please see my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Jews

Rescued From “Word of Faith”

Cindy Dawson

When I was young and “on fire” for God, I was drawn to churches that were alive with enthusiasm and praised God with energy and emotion. I’m not saying that’s bad, but unfortunately, my enthusiasm led me to the Word of Faith movement.

I was enthusiastic to learn more about God and I read and studied many books by Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, Jesse Duplantis, Robert Tilton, and others. Sadly, I was unaware that much of it was not Biblical. God rescued me from this false teaching about 30 years ago. I am so thankful for His mercy and faithfulness.

We must understand faith correctly. I was taught the wrong definition of faith and it was very difficult to “unlearn”.

So let’s start with the Biblical definition of faith.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

The rest of Hebrews 11 goes on to explain this in more detail by giving examples of people who were commended for their faith (Noah, Abraham, Sarah, etc.) Verse 13 says,

“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.”

They trusted God. Hebrews chapter 11 makes it clear that faith is trusting God to do what He has promised. Period. This is where the Word of Faith doctrine of faith differs from the Biblical definition.

They say that Hebrews 11:1, (“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”) is referring to a force that we can use to gain prosperity and health. This verse is taken out of context and is clearly in conflict with the rest of the chapter.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that faith is a force.

The supporters of this movement believe that faith works like a mighty power or force. Through faith, we can obtain anything we want — health, wealth, success, whatever. However, this force is only released through the spoken word. As we speak the words of faith, power is discharged to accomplish our desires.”

BereanResearch.org

This contradicts God’s Word and is rooted in New Age teaching. Hebrews 11:1 is taken out of context and used by Word of Faith preachers to propagate a New Age belief.

The word faith appears 458 times in the New International Version (NIV). When I realized I had to unlearn my wrong understanding of faith and reread the Bible with the correct definition in mind, I faced a monumental task!

After realizing I had been deceived, my first response was to reread the New Testament three times. Every time I saw the word faith, I substituted the words trust in God. I based this on the meaning of the Greek word for faith used throughout Hebrews 11.

That word is pistis. It means “firm persuasion … used in the New Testament of faith in God or Christ”. (Vine’s Expository Dictionary)

The relearning process was long and arduous because in all the 458 times I read the word faith in my Bible, the verse now took on a completely different meaning.

This is why discernment is so important. New believers can be easily swept away if sound doctrine is not preached. Why am I writing this? What is the call to action?

#1 Study your Bible so you won’t be deceived by false teachers. The Bible warns us many times about the danger of false teachers.

“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

“For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (emphasis mine)

#2 Examine the Scriptures to see if what is taught is true. Check everything. There are many times when I have heard a popular “Bible teacher” teach something and I thought, Where does the Bible say that? Many Christians are too trusting, especially when the teacher is popular, well-known, and entertaining.

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11

“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.” Romans 16:17-18 (emphasis mine)

The Greek word translated as naive is akakos. It means unsuspecting. We don’t like to think of ourselves as naive, but are we unsuspecting? Are we too trusting?

False teachers teach many good things, too. Otherwise, who would listen to them? They praise God and teach about His love. And they are always entertaining. That’s why their listeners are often unsuspecting. Don’t expect false teachers to be obvious.

Everyone who claims to be a Christian isn’t automatically teaching Truth! The fact that they draw huge crowds means nothing. The fact that they have written best-selling books means nothing.

The important thing is, are they teaching Truth? There is only one way to know. Jesus prayed,

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 (emphasis mine)

P.S. The Biblical definition of faith isn’t the only thing they get wrong, but it is one of the most important errors to identify and the easiest to correct. (One thing at a time.)

(This message is an updated repost from 2023.)

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Jews

What Is the Real Meaning of Binding and Loosing?

Cindy Dawson

 Jesus told His disciples, “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth]shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18 NASB

What do you think Jesus is teaching His disciples in this passage? Many people believe He is teaching how to engage in spiritual warfare.

But if you study this verse in context, it will become clear that Jesus is not talking about spiritual warfare or special powers. Jesus is talking about conflict resolution in this passage. Read the verses that precede v. 18 to examine the context:

 Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother.  But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be confirmed. And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:15-18 NASB Read full chapter

In the Jewish tradition, a rabbi would “bind” (meaning forbid) a certain thing. Or they might “loose” (meaning permit) an activity which might be questionable.

Verse 18 means that what is permitted or not permitted is determined in heaven, not on earth.

As you study the context, it will become clear that Jesus was not teaching on spiritual warfare. He was not teaching His disciples that they could speak to spiritual forces of darkness and “bind” them, meaning to tie them up, taking away their power.

I believed this at one time, but as I studied His Word, God corrected me. As we listen to Bible teachers, we must always consider the context. If we don’t, false teaching can deceive us. (False teaching is often dependent on taking verses out of context.) Never underestimate the power of deception. It is no small, inconsequential enemy.

Never underestimate Satan’s power, and never underestimate his ability to deceive us … “

Billy Graham

The Apostle Paul admonishes Timothy, his son in the faith:

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.  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 4:2-4 NIV Read full chapter

Jesus said, “Consider carefully what you hear,” Mark 4:24 NIV

This passage emphasizes the importance of discerning truth from falsehood, rather than passively absorbing information. 

The key to spreading deception is to convince the audience that the information being taught comes from Revelation Knowledge, something other churches don’t understand because they have a religious spirit. This is pride.

I know this because I experienced it. But the Lord opened my eyes.

If you want to know more about my experience with false teaching, see my post, Rescued From Word of Faith HERE and What Does the Word of God Say About the “Prosperity Gospel”? HERE.

My prayer is that the Church will be wise and discerning by loving the truth, and examining God’s Word daily. I hope that this study on binding and loosing will be helpful as you study God’s Word, the Bible.

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Why Do Christians Listen to False Teachers?

Cindy Dawson

3 minutes

False teaching usually comes from the mouth of a gifted communicator, often someone engaging and entertaining. Their message will make you feel good, so you keep coming back for more. Don’t be surprised if they are selling lots of books and DVDs. They’re making a fortune off of it, and so is the publisher. The Bible warns us.

“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

I look back on the days when I followed the false teaching, Word of Faith. I was sincere. I was devoted. I was on fire for Christ! But, I wasn’t mature. I wish someone would have said, “Before you latch on to this teaching, study your Bible instead of the books written by the Word of Faith teachers.”

Eventually, I was able to discern the errors, because I was a student of the Bible. But my involvement in Word of Faith almost shipwrecked my faith. It’s devastating to realize you have been deceived. I blamed God for allowing it. It caused me to question everything I knew about God.

But God brought me through, and now I speak up against the dangers false teachers pose to the Body of Christ. So ask yourself, “Am I a mature Christian or do I lack discernment?”

How can you know? Ask God with a sincere heart. Love the Truth more than your own opinion. Be disciplined enough to read and study your Bible daily.

A mature Christian is someone who has walked with the Lord over the years, and by knowing and obeying God’s Word, they have learned to discern truth from error. To know God’s Word, we must study God’s Word.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing to be an immature Christian. After all, how could a new Christian be mature? They couldn’t. They have to learn and grow in Christ. Unfortunately, not everyone grows and matures. Evidence of this can be seen by the large numbers of Christians who unknowingly follow false teaching. Consider the following Scripture:

 “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.” Ephesians 4:11-14 NIV (emphasis mine)

I know the damage false teaching will eventually bring about in the lives of those who are ensnared in it. It’s not okay.

“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5: 12-14 NIV (emphasis mine)

Beware of the false teaching from the Word of Faith, New age, and New Apostolic Reformation which is infiltrating the Church today. Your best protection is the Belt of Truth (God’s Word). The following links provide more information.

New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)

New Age

Word of Faith

How Can I Recognize a False Teacher?

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

RealChristianWomen.blog  

Christian

Monday’s Verse, 4/15/24

Cindy Dawson

“But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 NASB Read full chapter

Sometimes people are just blind to the Truth. But the Holy Spirit can open blind eyes. Pray that God will open the eyes of unbelievers and those who follow false religions.

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

RealChristianWomen.blog  

Christian

Rescued From “Word of Faith”

Cindy Dawson

When I was young and “on fire” for God, I was enticed by churches that were alive with enthusiasm and praised God with energy and emotion. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but unfortunately, my enthusiasm led me to the Word of Faith movement.

I learned a lot about the Bible during those years. Sadly, much of what I learned was false, very false. I just didn’t know it. God rescued me from this false teaching about 25 years ago. I am so thankful for His mercy and faithfulness.

Today, I want to talk about a subject that is crucial for us to understand correctly. That is the subject of faith. Because I was taught the wrong definition of faith, it was very difficult to “unlearn” in later years when I realized I had been deceived.

So let’s start with the Biblical definition of faith.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

The rest of Hebrews 11 goes on to explain this in more detail by giving examples of people who were commended for their faith (Noah, Abraham, Sarah, etc.) Verse 13 says,

“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.”

They trusted God. When we study Hebrews chapter 11, it becomes clear that faith is trusting God to do what He has promised. Period. This is where the Word of Faith doctrine of faith differs from the Biblical definition.

They say that Hebrews 11:1, (“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”) is referring to a force that we can use to gain prosperity and health. This verse is taken out of context and is clearly in conflict with the rest of the chapter.

The supporters of this movement believe that faith works like a mighty power or force. Through faith, we can obtain anything we want — health, wealth, success, whatever. However, this force is only released through the spoken word. As we speak the words of faith, power is discharged to accomplish our desires.”

BereanResearch.org

This is contrary to God’s Word and is rooted in New Age teaching. Hebrews 11:1 is taken out of context and used by Word of Faith preachers to propagate a New Age belief.

The word faith appears 458 times in the New International Version (NIV). So when I realized I had to unlearn my wrong definition of faith and reread the Bible with the correct definition, I faced a monumental task!

My first response upon realizing the deception I had embraced was to reread the New Testament three times. Every time I saw the word faith, I substituted the words trust in God. I based this on the meaning of the Greek word for faith used throughout Hebrews 11.

That word is pistis. It means “firm persuasion … used in the New Testament of faith in God or Christ”. (Vine’s Expository Dictionary)

The relearning process was long and arduous because in all the 458 times I read the word faith in my Bible, the verse now took on a completely different meaning.

This is why discernment is so important. New believers can be easily swept away if sound doctrine is not preached. Why am I writing this? What is the call to action?

#1 Study your Bible so you won’t be deceived by false teachers. The Bible warns us many times about the danger of false teachers.

“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

“For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

#2 Examine the Scriptures to see if what is taught is true. Check everything. There are many times when I have heard a popular “Bible teacher” teach something and I thought, Where does the Bible say that? Many Christians are too trusting, especially when the teacher is popular, well-known, and entertaining.

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11

“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. 18 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.” Romans 16:17-18

The Greek word translated as naive is akakos. It means unsuspecting. We don’t like to think of ourselves as naive, but are we unsuspecting? Everyone who claims to be a Christian isn’t automatically teaching Truth! The fact that they draw huge crowds means nothing. The fact that they have written popular books means nothing.

The important thing is, are they teaching Truth? There is only one way to know. Jesus prayed,

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 (emphasis mine)

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.

RealChristianWomen.blog  

Christian, God

What Does the Bible Teach Us About Prayer?

Cindy Dawson

Last week, I wrote about the danger of what some call “Listening Prayer”. So today I want to share with you what God’s Word teaches us about prayer.

This post may look long, but only 280 words are mine. The rest is Scripture.

Anything we learn about prayer from a teacher or book must be compared to the Bible. Is it confirmed by God’s Word or is it based on the teacher’s opinions and experiences?

Many Word of Faith Bible teachers glean the things they teach from other Word of Faith teachers. I know this because I was once a Word of Faith Bible teacher. I read every book I could get my hands on written by other WOF teachers. That strongly shaped what I believed. And it was strongly encouraged. (Thankfully, God delivered me from that deception over 20 years ago.)

I don’t want to be taught by teachers who are influenced by mystical or New Age ideas on prayer. If you do a little research, you will discover that many are.

What does God’s Word teach us about prayer? The following are a few verses that you can study.

Jesus Teaches About Prayer

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’” Matthew 6:5-13 NIV

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matt 5:44 NIV (emphasis mine)

” … pray for those who mistreat you.”  Luke 6:28 NIV (emphasis mine)

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8 NIV (emphasis mine)

Will He find people trusting Him and His Word?

“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Luke 22:39-46 NIV (emphasis mine)

JESUS AS OUR EXAMPLE

“And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.” Matthew 14:19 NIV (emphasis mine)

“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,” Matthew 14:23 NIV (emphasis mine)

“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” Matthew 26: 36-46 NIV (emphasis mine)

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:20-26 NIV

PAUL TEACHES ON PRAYER

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV (emphasis mine)

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 NIV

“It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” Acts 12:1-5 NIV (emphasis mine)

 Everything was about as bad as it could be— But someone prayed. 

“but those in the church were earnestly praying to God for him.”

In the NT, I found nothing that tells us to listen for God to speak to us apart from through His Word. I can’t find any verse that teaches us to have an ongoing conversation with God through prayer. I can’t find anything to suggest that I can speak for God. i.e. “God told me ….”

My hope is that you will search this out for yourself by studying God’s Word. He will speak to you – through His Word!

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Naassom Azevedo on Unsplash

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Christian

Quote of the Week, 10/26/22

Cindy Dawson

The Word of Faith movement is deceiving countless people, causing them to grasp after a way of life and faith that is not biblical. At its core is the same lie Satan has been telling since the Garden: “You shall be as God” (Genesis 3:5) … So, be wary of the Word of Faith movement and any church that aligns itself with Word of Faith teachings.”

GotQuestions.org – Is the Word of faith movement Biblical?

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Read my page Who Is Jesus?

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Christian

Why Do Christians Listen to False Teachers?

Cindy Dawson

3 minutes

False teaching usually comes from the mouth of a gifted communicator, often someone engaging and entertaining. Their message will make you feel good, so you keep coming back for more. Don’t be surprised if they are selling lots of books and DVDs. They’re making a fortune off of it, and so is the publisher. The Bible warns us.

“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

I look back on the days when I followed the false teaching, Word of Faith. I was sincere. I was devoted. I was on fire for Christ! But, I wasn’t mature. I wish someone would have said, “Before you latch on to this teaching, study your Bible instead of the books written by the Word of Faith teachers.”

Eventually, I was able to discern the errors, because I was a student of the Bible. But my involvement in Word of Faith almost shipwrecked my faith. It’s devastating to realize you have been deceived. I blamed God for allowing it. It caused me to question everything I knew about God.

But God brought me through, and now I speak up against the dangers false teachers pose to the Body of Christ. So ask yourself, “Am I a mature Christian or do I lack discernment?”

How can you know? Ask God with a sincere heart. Love the Truth more than your own opinion. Be disciplined enough to read and study your Bible daily.

A mature Christian is someone who has walked with the Lord over the years, and by knowing and obeying God’s Word, they have learned to discern truth from error. To know God’s Word, we must study God’s Word.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing to be an immature Christian. After all, how could a new Christian be mature? They couldn’t. They have to learn and grow in Christ. Unfortunately, not everyone grows and matures. Evidence of this can be seen by the large numbers of Christians who unknowingly follow false teaching. Consider the following Scripture:

 “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.” Ephesians 4:11-14 NIV (emphasis mine)

I know the damage false teaching will eventually bring about in the lives of those who are ensnared in it. It’s not okay.

“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5: 12-14 NIV (emphasis mine)

Beware of the false teaching from the Word of Faith, New age, and New Apostolic Reformation which is infiltrating the Church today. Your best protection is the Belt of Truth (God’s Word). The following links provide more information.

New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)

New Age

Word of Faith

How Can I Recognize a False Teacher?

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Read my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

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