2 Timothy

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Turning Away

Prov 4:14-15 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on.

Years ago a man told me about a friend stopping by and asking him to go with him to a certain neighborhood.
He told me, “I knew he was going for some drugs.”
He went with him and bought some too, even though he was trying to break the addiction.
I told him, “You need some new friends!”
There are family members and friendships that take a toll on you mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Our scripture today says to walk away.
That is not to say you cannot pray for them and love them but you cannot maintain a bosom buddy relationship with them.
Paul told Timothy about the last days and the types of people he would encounter.
2 Tim 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Did you read the last line?
1 Cor 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.

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Many Messages

One thing that confuses many people are the mixed messages they get from those that supposedly believe the same group – Christians.

Different denominations, doctrines, and belief’s confuse a lost world, especially when each church quotes from the same book.

One group says baptism is essential to salvation and another group says it isn’t. There are the gifts of the Spirit and whether they exist today or have fulfilled their purpose. Is salvation eternal or can it be lost again. Is there only one chance of salvation in this life or do you get another opportunity after death.
Is the rapture a true event and if it is does it happen before the tribulation, during it, or after it?

No matter what you believe you can find someone that will agree with you.

This is not a unique situation. It is something that the early church had to deal with.

Paul wrote to Timothy saying,

And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 2 Tim 2:17-18

To the Galatians he wrote,

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. Gal 1:6-7

What we don’t have is an Apostle Paul to explain things today. Even if there were there would still be false messages from others that change the message.

I don’t have that answer to all the Christian denominations except to say read the Bible for yourself. Study the message for yourself. Pray about it for yourself.

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Rom 12:18

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The Holy Spirit and False Doctrine

Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor 12:3

At the risk of being called judgmental, I often see someone that makes a claim of salvation but I see no evidence of it in their life.
I hear a minister read from the Bible and yet teach something contrary.

It seems to me that every Christian reads the same Bible, praises the same Father, and is filled with the same Spirit.
We may go to a different church but all the same things should apply.

But there are some that are on the edge of being sacrilegious – even blasphemous. The Bible says,

the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Tim 4:3-4

The time is here. Unsound doctrine is here. False teachers are here. Even those with their doctrine, which will curse the name of Jesus. These things are not possible with someone filled with the Holy Spirit.

Your only defense is to know what the word of God says through the power of the Holy Spirit. And the only way to know this is to read your Bible every day.

Abba, reveal truth to me. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Protect yourself!

Last time I wrote about false prophets and deceivers.

Those that propagate a false gospel are very popular. The preaching of erroneous gospel is very feel good – very pleasing to the ears.

There is no mention of a penalty of sin since there is no mention of sin.
No hell, just heaven.
Anything goes. You are told there are many ways to heaven but you must just be faith and diligent on the path you choose.

The congregation can be very large and the pastor is well off financially. He seems to exploit the wealth and poverty of his followers by promising things he can’t deliver.
His sermons may include secular and humanistic ideas. Even thoughts from non-Christian sources like Muslims, Hindu’s, and Buddhist.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 2 Tim 4:3

The best defense against false prophets and deceivers is to know the truth. Reading God’s word reveals the reality of what God desires for you to know about sin and salvation.

This is the reason the Bible says,

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph 6:11

And,

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph 6:13

The armor of God is designed to protect your heart and mind against the falsities of Satan.

Abba, I receive Your word into my heart and soul to protect me from the lies I will hear today. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN