BEWARE OF DECEIVERS
II
Memorise; But watch thou in all things, endure
affitions, do the work of an
evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 2nd
Timothy 4:5
Read: Romans
16:17-20, 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause
divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and
avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ,
but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of
the simple.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad
therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is
good, and simple concerning evil.
20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet
shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Bible in one year: Luke 11:1-12:34, Job
24:21-25:6
The
Bible repeatedly warns children of God to beware of deceivers in the form of
false teachers and prophets, because their operations are usually so smooth
that their activities could be very difficult to pin down as errors. They
present their messages as divine revelations received after much perseverance
in prayers and rigorous Bible study. Deceivers present their deadly errors as
newly discovered secret information that was specially revealed by God, as the
preferred way of relating with Him in this generation. 2nd Timothy
4:5 says:
“But
watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,
make full proof of thy ministry.”
It
is an established fact that keeping the faith protected from the corruption of
deceivers, requires the presence of the Holy Spirit, a knowledge of the Scripture,
holiness, perseverance, Christian fellowship and spiritual maturity. This
attributes must be present in a person’s life before the instruction in 2nd
Timothy 4:5 can be effectively carried out.
The first essential step is to watch in all
things. To watch, in this sense, it to pay close attention to the beliefs and
practices of the Church, to ensure that they are ever in strict compliance with
the Word of God. By so doing, even the slightest variation would be quickly
noticed and corrected. Also, young believers will be protected from error. The
second essential step is to do the work of an evangelist by demonstrating the
full evidence of the ministry. If indeed the present generation of Christians
would preach the gospel of Jesus Christ with power, such that miracle, signs,
and wonders, are evident in our fellowships meetings, then the door shall be
permanently shut against false prophets. Furthermore, 2nd Timothy
3:16 says:
“All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
This
passage boldly declares that everything documented in the Bible is given by God
as a revelation of Himself, His commandments and teachings. This confirms the
Bible as the only divine manual containing everything we need to know about the
Almighty God and His created universe. The passage also emphasizes the art of
teaching, reproof, and correction as means of keeping the Church clear of false
teachers and their messages. Teaching is the primary task of Christians as
indicated in Mathew 28:19. We are called to teach the whole counsel of God,
shedding the light of the gospel over every aspect of life, for the purpose of
remodelling our lives to be in compliance with the word of God. In addition to
teaching, we must reprove by speaking against false teachers and their heretic
messages. At the same time, we must make serious effort to bring false teachers
and those influenced by their messages back to the knowledge of the truth.
Finally, there must be training in righteousness to learn how to do what is
right, what is just and in accordance with godliness. Once again, beware of
deceivers!
Prayer Point
Father, please let anything You have not
planted in Your Church be uprooted today om the Name of Jesus.
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