Sound Doctrine? “If it sounds good to me I like it”

To start let me apologize for not writing in so long (not that anyone reads this). Life as you all know is hectic, and busy. With work, chores around the house, the constant task of "remodeling" the house, spending time with my wife and boys, and trying to find a little time to get some studying and reading in, who has time to write blog's that no one reads? However this morning, my mind is full, and I feel a need to unload it.

I have noticed an alarming trend recently among those claiming to be followers of Christ. I can't say I am surprised by it due to the fact that scripture teaches it over and over, just alarmed. Lately it seems I have encountered a serious problem in the Christian faith. I have preached for years about the lack of Bible Study among Christians. Study of God's Word has been replaced with "daily devotions" which really by definition are not devotions at all. We read our one verse, and the cute story that goes with it, never even crack the Bible open and think "well there now my 2 minutes with God is done for the day, aren't I a good godly person" Silly to think that what we are really devoted to is the man written story that follows up the one verse of God's Word that we read. I really like the 2^nd definition below:

de·vo·tion http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devotion

1 a: religious fervor : piety b: an act of prayer or private worship —usually used in plural c: a religious exercise or practice other than the regular corporate worship of a congregation 2 a: the act of devoting <devotion of time and energy> b: the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal <her devotion to the cause> <filial devotion>3obsolete : the object of one's devotion

 

I know you're thinking already "Travis what is your problem, would you lighten up" I hear that often. Well here is the problem, as well as why I refuse to lighten up. Just within the last week I spoke with a man who tried to convince me that "God and Allah are one in the same, Muslims just belief Jesus was a prophet" and another person who feels it ok for her teenage son to date a witch and get involved in Wicca because "it is only white magic." So what is my problem? Both of these people claim to followers of Jesus Christ!

Let me quickly clarify these two wacky statements before I continue to make my main point. To the claim that God and Allah are the same, but Muslims just believe Jesus was a prophet. Read John chapter 1 (I won't type it out for you) but the Bible clearly teaches that God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, make the trinity. That is 3 different characters making one true God. John 10:30 "I and the Father are one." (ESV) So if Muslims say Jesus was just a prophet, do they believe in the God of the Bible? The answer is clearly NO. A million times NO! It just doesn't get much clearer than that.

Next to the "white magic" comment Exodus 22:18 "You shall not allow a sorceress to live." (NASB) Deuteronomy 18:10, 11 "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who cast a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls upon the dead" (NASB) Verse 12 goes on to say these things are DETESTABLE to the Lord. Anywhere in that did you see "but white magic is ok?" So how does God feel about magic of all kinds? IT IS DETESTABLE!

So here is my point. 2 Timothy 4:3 "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (ESV) I strongly believe we are in that day, and I believe that one of the main reasons is those who claim to believe in God and claim Jesus Christ as their savior don't know what the Word says. If we are not students of God's Word, when the lies of the world come, we will have no red flags to signal us that something is false. This leaves us open to becoming accepting, and tolerant of pagan beliefs, and false religion.

Action step for today: GET IN THE WORD. Go ahead and read your "daily devo book" they can be inspirational, enjoyable and thought provoking, but then open the Word of God, get a paper and pencil, and dig into the Scripture!

By no means am I myself a Bible scholar. I have no fancy degrees hanging on my wall; I have never graduated Cum Laude. I am an average, everyday, ordinary man, equipped with a book that has the power to change lives, and the Holy Spirit to help me understand. 2 Timothy 2:7 "Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything." (ESV)

*This blog is in no way meant for "Daily Devotions" or a substitute for personal Bible Study.

Comments

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I read it, Travis! Excellent points, my friend. Bible study is essential, it requires effort on our part, and the rewards are huge, though not always immediate....His Word is a Lamp to my feet and a Light to my path....

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