Beware of any group that approaches the Bible in any or all of these ways:
1. They claim Scripture is incomplete or corrupted and that they possess the only pure knowledge of God.
This contradicts Scripture (Isaiah 40:8;1 Peter 1:23-25).
2. They claim to have "extra revelations" which contradict Scripture.
2. They claim to have "extra revelations" which contradict Scripture.
This is warned against in Scripture (1 Corinthians 3:11; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4).
3. Knowing that certain Scripture passages refute their beliefs, they create explanations that are historically, academically, or linguistically inaccurate.
3. Knowing that certain Scripture passages refute their beliefs, they create explanations that are historically, academically, or linguistically inaccurate.
Scripture warns us about this (2 Timothy 4:3-4; Romans 16:17-20; 1 Timothy 6:3-5)
4. They ignore New Testament passages that put an end to certain Old Testament laws (e.g. dietary).*
4. They ignore New Testament passages that put an end to certain Old Testament laws (e.g. dietary).*
Paul addressed this problem in Galatians 2 and 3.
5. They believe that until their “prophet” or founder came along, God allowed the gospel to be corrupted and misunderstood for hundreds of years. This means all of the past martyrs, missionaries, and humble believers lived their lives foolishly and died unsaved.
5. They believe that until their “prophet” or founder came along, God allowed the gospel to be corrupted and misunderstood for hundreds of years. This means all of the past martyrs, missionaries, and humble believers lived their lives foolishly and died unsaved.
Hundreds of Scriptures contradict this by explaining God's deep love for us (e.g Psalm 103).
6. They claim that Jesus is not God.
This contradicts Scripture (John 1:1-14; 1 John 4:1-3).
7. They claim God’s purpose is to give us wealth, make our lives easy, or make us popular.
7. They claim God’s purpose is to give us wealth, make our lives easy, or make us popular.
This contradicts Scripture (Matthew 10:38-39; Matthew 16:24; Matthew 10:22).
*See this collection of 4 articles explaining which Old Testament laws apply to us today.
Related 1-Minute Devotions:
Deceptive Evangelism
Upside-down Truth
Is Mormonism a Cult?
Bible Love Notes
*See this collection of 4 articles explaining which Old Testament laws apply to us today.
Related 1-Minute Devotions:
Deceptive Evangelism
Upside-down Truth
Is Mormonism a Cult?
I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word: Wisdom for Life. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. And find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE.
I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.
Bible Love Notes
TY!
ReplyDeleteThat's WHY I'm NO LONGER CHRISTAIN
ReplyDeleteIT'S TO MANEY THING'S THAT'S CONTRADICTORY,
AND THE BIBLE HAS BEEN 'RE-WRITTEN SO MANEY TIME'S AND SO MANY WAYS,
LEAVE THE WORD OF GOD ALONE,
GOD FORGIVE US ALL AND PLACE US ON THE RIGHT PATH, AND ESTABLISH
OUR MIND'S TO KNOW AND BELIEVE THAT THIS IS WHERE YOU LORD GOD
WANT YOUR PEOPLE TO BE AND TO WORSHIP AMINE.
If we go to a grocery store that sells rotten fruit and poison meat, do we quit eating fruit and meat or do we go to another grocery store? Just because some people change or misuse God's Word doesn't mean we should give up on it.
DeleteIf we give up on the Bible because certain groups pervert the teaching, we will have to give up on everything in life - marriage, family, friendship, doctors, etc.
The Bible has never been re-written except by cults. If we read the Bible, we won't be mislead. Most of the Bibles available are simply different translations of the original Greek and Hebrew. While they may use different words, they say the same thing. If you compare them, you fill find this to be true.
If we try to serve God without the Bible, we will be mislead because the Bible tells us who God is and what it means to love and worship Him. We cannot truly know who God is without studying Scripture.
In fact, the only way we can understand cults and false teachers is by reading the Bible. Without it, we will be fooled by anything and everything.
I pray that you will read and trust God's Word because it is important for your spiritual well-being.
God bless you.
Thank you. I have learned so much from reading youR devotions. How do I contact you with questions on a specific topic?
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie,
DeleteIf you are a subscriber, all you need to do is hit "reply" on one of the devotions you get in your email and write me at that email address. I get those emails.
God bless you.
There's a book out called Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes claiming that the people of North America misread scripture as it is meant for the people of Jesus' time. It is written by E. Randolph Richards and Brandon J. O'Brien on amazon if you need to know what I'm trying to explain. Would this book be a no-no to read? I've been a christian for 35 years, but this confuses me. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI must start by saying I have not heard of this book and could do no more at this point than read the reviews on Amazon and see if people oppose it for Biblical reasons.
DeleteIt is important when we are doing Bible study to understand the cultural and historical background to texts as well as the originial Greek and Hebrew, but the common man can still understand the basics in Scripture because God gives us that ability through His Spirit.
Almost every cult and false teaching is based on the explanation that God's Word has been perverted, corrupted, or misunderstood by Bible scholars and Jesus lovers throughout history.
So I would use caution in reading a book that claims North Americans have misunderstood Scripture. It could be fine and simply a wake up call to us regarding our expectations of wealth and easy living. Or it could be twisting Scripture to mean something it does not.
I'm sorry that I can't help beyond that without reading the book.
It is about the 1st Century Roman and Jewish cultural expectations and practices that need some explanation to make more sense to 21st Century people. It is not about a change in Christian philosophy.
DeleteThank you very much!
ReplyDeleteI always struggle with how to respond when people question me on number 4 when it comes to tithing, an Old Testament principle. Paul says that we are to give according to what we have purposed in our heart, with a cheerful heart. So, do we follow the OT command or NT command when it comes to giving.
ReplyDeleteYes, Donna, the tithe is an Old Testament law. The New Testament mind-set should be that all we own comes from and belongs to the Lord, so we give generously. While the New Testament doesn't specify an amount, it generally leads to more than 10%, not less, given cheerfully, not as a duty. Good example.
DeleteWhat if I get 694$ a month for disability and I give 60$ a month to the church, but I'm not doing it 'cheerfully' or 'begrudgingly '....I'm just doing it because I know 10p percent is the right thing to do? I'd feel better giving $30 and having the remaining 30 for just in case something unexpected happens to me or someone in the church. Am I wrong or bad?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your answer.
Wow, Jen, that's a tough question, and I think you're are the only one who can answer it. God looks at our hearts, our motives, and all the details of our lives. I would encourage you to pray about this and seek God's peace, wisdom, and guidance. God bless you!
DeleteYes, I tried to calculate the OT concept of tithing and by my calculation it was almost 33%. Of course the people I discuss this with believe that's way too much, but how much is too much when we think about how much we've been blessed? Thanks for responding.
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord. I have a doubt can we choose a non believer as a life partner? They will say you can do your worship but after marriage they will ask us to do the idol worship. So please suggest me so that I can walk in a Righteous way.
ReplyDeleteDear Ramya,
DeleteLet me share a quote from GotQuestion.org (https://www.gotquestions.org/date-marry-unbeliever.html)
"For a Christian, dating a non-Christian is unwise, and marrying one is not an option. Second Corinthians 6:14 (KJV) tells us not to be “unequally yoked” with an unbeliever. The imagery is of two incompatible oxen sharing the same yoke. Instead of working together to pull the load, they would be working against each other. While this passage does not specifically mention marriage, it definitely has implications for marriage. The passage goes on to say that there is no harmony between Christ and Belial (Satan). There can be no spiritual harmony in a marriage between a Christian and a non-Christian. Paul goes on to remind believers that they are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, who inhabits their hearts at salvation (2 Corinthians 6:15-17). Because of that, they are to be separate from the world—in the world, but not of the world—and nowhere is that more important than in life’s most intimate relationship—marriage.
The Bible also says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Having any kind of intimate relationship with an unbeliever can quickly turn into something that is a hindrance to your walk with Christ. We are called to evangelize the lost, not be intimate with them. There is nothing wrong with building quality friendships with unbelievers, but that is as far as it should go. If you were dating an unbeliever, what would honestly be your priority, romance or winning a soul for Christ? If you were married to an unbeliever, how would the two of you cultivate a spiritual intimacy in your marriage? How could a quality marriage be built and maintained if you disagree on the most crucial issue in the universe—the Lord Jesus Christ?"
Thanks for this article. I totally agree that the 7 items you mention should be items that a discerning heart should look for. The dietary one has been interesting to me for a long time. I happily eat pork and shellfish like shrimp, and I see no sin in it. That is clear Biblically; however, I wonder how clean and healthy such things are and if there wasn't an original health reason those types of things should be avoided. I'll probably always enjoy those things occasionally, though, because the New Testament says it's fine!
ReplyDeletei agree, there is loads of cults and false doctrines out there. even i was raised in a church that taught false teachings and doesn't regard the bible as our only authority.
ReplyDeleteI just love what you publish. A breath of fresh air! Thank you for being willing to share in an easy to read and understand fashion
ReplyDeleteThe Bible is God's word and it is complete.
ReplyDeleteWhat is so special about The Bible is that you do not need any knowledge about how to read it, you start on page 1 and read it till the end.
If you have questions, you ask the author, God, directly and he will answer you. And the answer will be the answer to YOUR question.
Learning this way from The Bible truely makes it God's living word.
All God askes his reader is to believe His Word to be true, read it as fact, not legend.