Isaiah 8:13-22 "Sanctify the LORD of hosts HIMSELF; and let HIM be your fear, and let HIM be your dread. And HE shall be for a sanctuary, but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. Bind up the testimony, seal the Law among MY disciples. And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth HIS face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for HIM. Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in the mount Zion.
And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their GOD ? for the living to the dead ? To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this WORD, it is because there is no light in them. And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry; and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their KING and their GOD, and look upward. And they shall look unto the Earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness."
Every false cult or heathen religion places great emphasis on the beneficial experiences that those who follow its teachings can expect to receive. Thus, if a person embraces a particular religion and subsequently undergoes a physical healing, a financial fortune, or a reduction of mental or physical stress, he offers this as "proof" that his religion is truly of GOD and really works. When someone accepts experience as a verification of truth, it is very difficult to point out to that person the serious errors in the teachings of the group to which he or she belongs. It is common to hear such people declare, "You can't tell me my religion is false, I know what it has done for me." But even if their experiences were genuine, are they really of GOD ?
It is vital for believers to remember that, as verse twenty states, the only test of truth is the Bible, GOD's WORD. Satan often gives people counterfeit experiences in order to blind their eyes to the liberating truth found only in CHRIST, the LIVING WORD, and in the Bible, the Written WORD. The charismatic movement, with its unscriptural teachings and programs, is one of the greatest modern-day deceptions; alleged healings and other "miraculous signs and wonders" are mistakenly considered to be GOD's approval of its false message and messengers. But the Christian needs to keep in mind that Matthew 7:21-23 (pictured above) prophesies of those who "work iniquity" yet do "many wonderful works." Thus, we should not be surprised when seemingly inexplicable wonders are broadcast on television or reported in print. Never let "experience" transcend GOD's WORD as your standard for truth nor allow the religious counterfeits to deceive you. MHR
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
No comments:
Post a Comment