Saturday, February 5, 2011

People on Pedestals?

Don’t believe someone simply because they are a great speaker, and can attract a lot of people. Even Paul by his own admission was an unskilled speaker as compared to others; however, Paul did have an amazing grasp of scriptures, and was good in communicating Biblical truths in writing.

2 Corinthians 11:5-6 (NET) For I consider myself not at all inferior to those “super-apostles.” And even if I am unskilled in speaking, yet I am certainly not so in knowledge. Indeed, we have made this plain to you in everything in every way.

2 Timothy 4:3 (NET) For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.

With the explosion of the media, believers can now hear some of the most amazing Biblical teaching of all time. However, check out everything with Scripture. Just because it's new doesn't mean that it's of God.

2 Corinthians 13:1 (NET) This is the third time I am coming to visit you. By the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter will be established.

For something to be considered Scriptural, it has to be found somewhere in the Bible, and be supported in more than just one place. 

Paul quoted Moses in Deuteronomy 19:15 by stating everything must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses so....

1. Read the verses in context to make sure the interpretation is accurate.
2. Ask does this interpretation contradict other Scriptures if yes throw out the interpretation?
3. Interpretations must be consistent with other passages in the Bible.
4. Do NOT accept a teaching based upon someone's amazing speaking ability or personal achievements.

Matthew 4:1-4 (NET) Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After he fasted forty days and forty nights he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”When Jesus was tempted, he countered with Scripture.

Above Jesus quoted Moses from Deuteronomy 8:3. In this quote, the secret to fighting all error is found, and that is to check things out with EVERY Word of God.

Matthew 4: 5-7 (NET) Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the highest point of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you’ and ‘with their hands they will lift you up, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Once again it is written: ‘You are not to put the Lord your God to the test.’”

After Satan’s first defeat, Satan countered was a Scripture himself from Psalm 91:11-12. However, the quote didn’t match up in context with another Scripture, so Jesus pointed out that conflict with Deuteronomy 6:16.

Matthew 4:8-11 (NET) Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their grandeur. And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you throw yourself to the ground and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘You are to worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and began ministering to his needs.

Finally, Jesus quoted Moses from Deuteronomy 6:13 for the final blow, proving Jesus had a balanced knowledge of God’s pure Word by matching up tests with EVERYTHING God had said and NOTHING else. When we put ANYONE or ANYTHING up on a pedestal in addition to God and His Word , this is idolatry, and is a grievous sin!

Romans 1:16-17 (NET) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.”

Paul, too, taught with Scripture. In the first three chapters of Romans alone, Paul quoted Habakkuk 2:4, Psalm 62:12, Isaiah 52:5, Psalm 51:4, Psalm 14: 1-3, Psalm 5:9, Psalm 140:3, Psalm 10:7, Isaiah 50-7-8, and Psalm 36:1.2

Timothy 3: 16 (NET) Every scripture is inspired by God, and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.

Don’t replace your own personal Bible Study by listening too or reading great teachers! You may listen to them in addition to your Bible Study habit. However, don't get out of balance, and spend more time listening too or reading others. Remember to check out everything with Scripture. I don’t care who they are.

REMEMBER FOR SOMETHING TO BE SCRIPTURAL. YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE SCRIPTURES.

Psalm 119:93-104 (NET) O how I love your law! All day long I meditate on it. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for I am always aware of them. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your rules. I am more discerning than those older than I, for I observe your precepts. I stay away from the evil path, so that I might keep your instructions. I do not turn aside from your regulations, for you teach me. Your words are sweeter in my mouth than honey! Your precepts give me discernment. Therefore I hate all deceitful actions.

DON'T BE TEACHER SMART, BUT BIBLE IGNORANT!

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 The enemy of the future is the present.