OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL-SATURDAY-20/02/2016-BEWARE
OF DECEIVERS II -BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
Memorise
But watch thou in
all things, endure afflictions, 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.
KJV
MESSAGE
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 in the Name of Jesus.
Bible in one year
Luke 11:1-12:34, Job 24:21-25:6
No comments:
Post a Comment