Category: human viewpoint / human wisdom / philosophy

Spellbound! #9

Sunday, August 27, 2023

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 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” (Romans 16:17,18 KJV).

Let us analyze these “good words and fair speeches.”

Christendom abounds with “scholars,” “outstanding authorities,” “experts,” “wise counsellors,” and a host of other people with impressive appellations—all using a passage of Scripture here and there, of course!—but do not be so sure everyone is telling the truth. For example, when a concerned Christian woman inquired about her granddaughter’s works-religion cult, the young lady reassured her, “But, Granny, they read the Bible at my church!” As long as they use the Bible, all is well—or is it? Quoting Bible verses does not automatically qualify a speaker or writer as a sound spiritual adviser!

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2 Corinthians 11:3,4). If this says what it means (it does!) and means what it says (it does!), then a false teacher could, in fact, talk about “Jesus,” “the spirit,” and/or “the gospel.” There is no outright denial of Scripture, just a presentation of Bible words with faulty definitions attached. The Bible’s concepts are not considered dispensationally—that is, as the Apostle Paul explains them.

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:15,16). These false teachers “wrest” (twist all out of shape, distort, pervert) the Scriptures. Note well: they do not avoid or ignore the Scriptures, but use them!

Recall the “ministry” of the first false teacher….

Spellbound! #8

Saturday, August 26, 2023

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 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” (Romans 16:17,18 KJV).

Let us analyze these “good words and fair speeches.”

Continuing the theme of 2 Peter 2:1-3, verse 18 describes false teachers as follows: “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.” A companion passage is Jude 16: “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.”

Using these “great swelling” (extravagant, immoderate, or arrogant) words, false teachers convert followers. “Having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage” aligns with Tertullus’ speech in Acts 24:1-4; the talker aims to profit from his audience, so he resorts to cheap flattery. Second Peter 2:18 sums it up as “vanity” (emptiness, worthlessness). Sounding impressive on the surface, a closer examination reveals it to be valueless. It was just a cruel ploy to take from the gullible!

Recall 2 Peter 2:1, how there were false prophets among the ancient people of Israel. One example is in the Book of Jeremiah, 600 years before Christ. “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). “For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 8:11). Whereas the LORD was judging the apostate Jewish people because of their habitual idolatry (disobedience to the Law of Moses), the false prophets reassured Israel that all was well and no evil would come upon them (just like the feel-good teachers and preachers of modern Christendom!). Jerusalem would fall to the Babylonian army, and no amount of wishful thinking, “inspirational messages,” or “positive thinking” would alter that fact.

Observe today’s Scripture to appreciate how false teaching adversely affects us, the Church the Body of Christ….

Spellbound! #7

Friday, August 25, 2023

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 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” (Romans 16:17,18 KJV).

Let us analyze these “good words and fair speeches.”

Addressing Israel in the ages to come, the Holy Spirit guided the Apostle Peter to write: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” (2 Peter 1:20–2:3).

In the above excerpt, we observe good spiritual teachers (God’s prophets or spokesmen) contrasted with evil spiritual teachers (Satan’s prophets or spokesmen). There is sound doctrine (from the Lord) and there is false doctrine (the Devil’s cheap counterfeit or imitation). Concentrate on 2 Peter 2:3: “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you….” False teachers, motivated by “covetousness” (greed), target the spiritually naïve, those who have not mastered sound Bible teaching. They methodically use “feigned words” (make-believe or fiction; something artificial, pretend, or invented) to “make merchandise of you” (exploit you, take advantage of you, obtain something from you).

These are warnings for Israel in the future, when the Antichrist and his false religion arise and deceive innumerable souls. Still, the same evil world system is here with us now (albeit in a milder form). False teachers plague today’s world by means of the strategies Peter described 20 centuries ago. We would do well to also heed today’s Scripture, which our Apostle Paul penned for our spiritual health now….

Spellbound! #6

Thursday, August 24, 2023

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 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” (Romans 16:17,18 KJV).

Let us analyze these “good words and fair speeches.”

The Greeks, especially in Athens, delivered powerful discourses to advertise their mental prowess, disseminate their favorite philosophy, and tempt gullible souls to join their ranks. Although highly educated in Jewish and Graeco-Roman thought, the Apostle Paul did not use his intellect to devise sly techniques to bring idolaters to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Describing his ministry in Corinth in Acts chapter 18, Paul penned: “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God…. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:…” (1 Corinthians 2:1,4). Paul’s ministry relied on God’s power and God’s wisdom—and this is what influenced the Corinthians to trust Christ as their personal Saviour. They were reminded of this, lest they continue worshipping sinful man’s “brilliance” (see 1 Corinthians 1:17-31).

Consider Apollos now. “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus” (Acts 18:24). Initially, he seems like an outstanding Bible authority, right? He is articulate, possessing an extensive vocabulary, and skilled in the Scriptures. Yet, read verse 25: “This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.” Enthusiastic Apollos laboriously preaches and teaches about the Lord, but his latest information is John the Baptist’s ministry—a 20-year-old revelation!

In verse 26, Aquila and Priscilla, recognizing his problem, take bold Apollos aside and explain to him the way of God “more perfectly” (more exactly/precisely). Apollos was likely a sincere teacher, not deliberately leading anyone astray. Yet, despite his eloquence (nice-sounding sermons), his theology was not dispensational. Like denominationalism nowadays, Apollos’ “helpful insight” promised nothing but spiritual devastation….

For Students This is Safe

Friday, August 18, 2023

“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:128 KJV).

As a new school year dawns, let us awake unto spiritual truth!

Although the autumnal equinox is still over a month away here in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is finally beginning to wind down for most of us. Students—with long faces and deep sighs—have returned or are beginning to return to school. As students return to the classroom, they need to be particularly mindful of the following.

Firstly, learning in and of itself is not a sin. Moses was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22). Luke was a medical doctor (Colossians 4:14). Daniel and his companions were skilled in science (Daniel 1:4). Adam was the first taxonomist (Genesis 2:19,20). The God of the Bible is never against learning new things—remember, He gave us His Holy Bible so we can have plenty to learn for all of eternity!

Secondly, what the God of the Bible opposes is when we believe/trust ideas that do not seek our best interests, that contradict the way He designed our lives to function. Certainly, we Christians should never go around believing anything and everything heard and seen. Just because the professor, preacher, pope, or president says it is true, that does not make it so. Scientific consensus has been wrong before, religion has been wrong before, politicians have been wrong before. Much of the ideas that permeate our world today are wrong.

Lastly, there are many wonderful, exciting ideas and concepts out there—medical advancements, technological breakthroughs, and so on—but there are equally detrimental ideas that will mess up your life—religious traditions, secular humanism, and other philosophies. Daily intake of the King James Bible rightly divided will cleanse our souls of the filth and foolishness that we hear and see day in and day out in this evil world system. We highly exalt God’s Word, we know it is right “concerning all things,” and we hate and ignore the error.

Have a wonderful school year in our Lord Jesus Christ! 🙂

The Understanding Darkened #5

Friday, June 16, 2023

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:…” (Ephesians 4:17,18 KJV).

How can today’s Scripture aid in our understanding of the wild world around us?

With Israel’s temporary fall and God’s salvation and blessing coming to us Gentiles via the Apostle Paul’s ministry (Romans 11:11-14), the “Dispensation of the Grace of God” has been given to us in the 13 Pauline Books of Romans through Philemon (see Ephesians 3:1-11). This information is designed to bring us out of the darkness of our ancestors (Acts 17:30,31). See also Colossians 1:25-29, Colossians 3:1-17, Philippians 1:9-11, Philippians 2:14-16, and even the context of today’s Scripture (Ephesians 4:11-24).

Titus 2:11-14: “[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; [13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; [14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

As suggested in today’s Scripture, and Romans 1:19-32, the dear people of our world languish in a gigantic spiritual trap. Wherever the Lord’s ministry through Paul has penetrated these last 20 centuries, the response has been overwhelmingly negative (as in, refusing to believe the Word of God’s Grace—or, if initially receiving it, failing to keep it pure and continue with it uncorrupted). Even lost souls acknowledge human society is increasingly deteriorating each and every day. Though they struggle mightily to identify the causes and try to correct the situation with additional manmade solutions (works-religion, philosophy, science, politics, and so on), they are wasting their time without the renewed mind we have in Christ. Their only hope of making sense of this sinful world and escaping it, is if we who know the truth then share it with them (2 Timothy 2:2,24-26). Life apart from the God of the Bible is certain ruin… the understanding darkened.

The Understanding Darkened #4

Thursday, June 15, 2023

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:…” (Ephesians 4:17,18 KJV).

How can today’s Scripture aid in our understanding of the wild world around us?

Israel, in time past, had the benefit of owning the Word of God. “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God” (Romans 3:1,2). “He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD” (Psalm 147:18-20). These passages are in contradistinction to the Gentiles’ pitiful spiritual plight of Ephesians 2:11,12; Acts 14:15,16; and Acts 17:30.

Thankfully, the Lord did not consign the Gentile world to inescapable spiritual blindness. For example, these nations were to see God’s Word displayed via Israel’s testimony (see Deuteronomy 4:5-8). Though the Gentiles had no written text from the LORD, they had a conscience to teach them fundamentals of right and wrong (Romans 2:14,15). Furthermore, because of nature’s very existence, they had a basic awareness of a Creator (Romans 1:18-20). Notice that tiny ray of light, that little grain of truth, known amongst even the most idolatrous Gentiles in Acts 17:27,28.

Once Israel had habitually refused to be God’s channel of salvation, blessing, and light to the world, the Lord Jesus reached down from Heaven to save and commission Saul of Tarsus: “Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:17,18). This brings us to the but now, Paul’s apostleship and message in today’s Scripture….

The Understanding Darkened #3

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:…” (Ephesians 4:17,18 KJV).

How can today’s Scripture aid in our understanding of the wild world around us?

Ponder Moses’ speech in Deuteronomy 4:1-9: “Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.

“Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;….”

In time past, whereas God had given the nations over to idols (today’s Scripture), He had delivered His words to the nation Israel….

The Understanding Darkened #2

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:…” (Ephesians 4:17,18 KJV).

How can today’s Scripture aid in our understanding of the wild world around us?

At the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), when the LORD God gave all nations over to “walk in their own ways” (Acts 14:15,16), He fulfilled their wish in turning them loose to a mindset or thought process that excluded Him. Re-read Romans 1:20-23,28. Commenting on this combination of tremendous intellectualism (“wisdom” of men) and abysmal darkness in Athens, Paul announced: “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:…” (Acts 17:29,30).

The Athenians had been “wholly [completely, entirely] given to idolatry” (verse 16). In fact, it was even stated of Athens, “It was easier to find a god there than a man!” They thought of a higher power in terms of creation—that the gods and goddesses were part of nature (pantheism). Even in the “sciences” today, natural forces are usually understood as being responsible for life, the heavens, and the earth. However, if you study Paul’s sermon to the people of Athens (verses 22-31), you will notice how he goes to great lengths to differentiate between the one true God and counterfeits (deities of mythology), distinguish between God and nature, discern between God and man. The God of the Bible is alive, not dead, which is why we should not reduce Him to statues of lifeless gold, silver, or stone. He is the Creator, giving us physical life; therefore, if we are alive, He is alive. Moreover, He is not a product of man’s imagination, so if we are to have “the eyes of [our] understanding enlightened” (see Ephesians 1:17), and be delivered from this “ignorance,” we must “repent” or think differently….

Lawful Advice from Asa’s Life #10

Sunday, June 11, 2023

“And [King Asa] commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment” (2 Chronicles 14:4 KJV).

What lawful advice can be gleaned from King Asa’s life?

Attending to the management of the local church or ministry, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul guided young Pastor Timothy (and thus, us!): “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also…. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:2,24-26).

Timothy should take what Paul taught him, and pass on that exact same information to other men, men who could then repeat the cycle. In no way was the doctrine to be changed. Someone who serves the Lord will not be combative or contentious, but calm and willing to humbly tolerate a great deal of senselessness as he tries to share the Word of God’s Grace with people who will probably reject it anyway. Regardless, the minister endeavors to supply those people with the sound doctrine Bible that they can then (hopefully!) believe and ultimately use to deliver themselves from Satan’s snare or trap (Bible ignorance).

In today’s Scripture, Asa had pointed ancient wayward Judah in the right direction—get back to the Law of Moses, or face the dire consequences! Today, we are under the Dispensation of the Grace of God given to Paul (Ephesians 3:1,2). Our options are clear: get back to the Grace of God, or reap an even worse harvest than we have already have! Romans through Philemon will facilitate us, first and foremost, in having a clear Gospel message (1 Corinthians 15:3,4), and, secondly, possessing the grace life resulting from that finished crosswork of Jesus Christ. In the end, even righteous Asa succumbed to the evil world system he fought against, so let us be careful not to depart from Pauline doctrine upon receiving it!