Tag Archive | truth

Be careful who you listen to for the truth!

Question: One of my college religion professors told us that we should not interpret the Bible as being literally given by God. Is he right?

Answer: No. Your professor is wrong! That’s another reason why we should read God’s Holy Word for ourselves, so we can learn the truth. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (NKJV)

Therefore, your professor can be added to a list of people you must be careful of, when you listen to them, if you are a Believer. The Apostle John warns Christians not to believe everything they are told about matters pertaining to their faith. For there will be many claiming they are speaking moral truths, but in reality, they are lying! (Read 1 John 4:1-6) If they are telling you things that agree with what the Bible says, they are speaking the truth. But if they say other things that go against what the Bible says, they are not speaking God’s truth.

Sadly, instead of using this standard as their moral guide, too many people tend to blindly believe people simply based on the person’s likeability or popularity. That’s why you can find even Believers turning their back on God’s teachings to support the sinful teachings of their favorite celebrities and politicians. These famous people may be intelligent, beautiful, talented, and rich. So people admire and want to support them. And, in the case of the politicians, people may like the promises they make to them and just ignore it when those same politicians are clearly supporting sin. Jesus warns us about these “false teachers.” (See Matthew 7:15-19) Don’t be fooled into listening to their sinful teachings.

The Bible also tells us that people may prefer to listen to those who simply tell them what they want to hear. For example, 2 Timothy 4: 3-4 says, “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; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” In other words, they don’t want to listen to God.

So, Believers, be careful who you listen to for the truth. Know whether or not you are hearing the truth according to God’s Holy Word. Study the Bible for yourself and pray that God’s Holy Spirit will help you discern the difference between when you are hearing the truth and when you are hearing a lie.

Only follow God’s truth!

Be careful who you listen to for the truth!

Jul5

Question: One of my college religion professors told us that we should not interpret the Bible as being literally given by God. Is he right?

(Reposted from my March 12, 2017 Blog Post.)

Your secret is out!

Apr20

Question: I’m a leader in my community hiding a terrible secret. I’m addicted to pornography. I try to hide it from my family by watching it after everyone goes to bed. How do I free myself from this sinful habit?

Answer: Sadly, your addiction is shared by billions of people around the world. For example, one popular pornography site gets 42 billion visits yearly! This site includes videos of young girls being raped, trafficked, and abused! (Source: American Family Association Journal, May 2020 Edition, Page 7) And this is just one of numerous sites!

But like every other sinful behavior we try to hide, it really isn’t a secret at all. None of us can hide any of our behavior from the One who sees all and knows all – the Lord God Almighty! We’re told in 1 John 3:20, “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.” (NKJV)

Therefore, God knows about everything from our sexual immorality to our greed and evil-mindedness (see Romans Ch. 1:18-32). He also knows the “hidden” sins of the heart– when we are “undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful…” (v.31) These scriptures go on to say that even when people aren’t actually committing these shameful behaviors themselves, they still sin when they “approve of those who practice them.” (v.32) Even many Believers fall into these sinful behaviors. (Ephesians 5:5-12)

Thankfully, God has provided us all with the way to truly be free from our sins – including pornography addiction and every other sin. That one and only way is through His only Son, Jesus Christ! Jesus died on the cross – and rose on the third day – to take the punishment of death we deserved for our sins. That’s why we must accept Jesus as our one and only Savior. We are to ask Him to forgive us of our sins. And, we are to repent (turn away) from our sins, and live our lives to please God!

Through His Holy Word, the Bible, we learn how and why we are to live to please God. We also learn the importance of praying for God’s help. By the power of His Holy Spirit, we are given the will-power and guidance we need to turn from our sins and grow in the knowledge of God’s Word.

Knowing God’s Word is very important in helping us stay strong against the evil in our lives. The Word reminds us that we can’t hide from God. Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

So, if you still think you’re hiding your sin, you’re not. Your secret is out to God! And know that the only way to truly set yourself free from your sins starts with accepting Jesus as your Savior and asking Him to set you free!

As Jesus, Himself, said: “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Amen!

Are you ready to stand?

Jan12

Question: How do I avoid being dragged into political arguments at work?

Answer: You can always try changing the subject to a more neutral topic. Of course, conversations during work time should be kept to business related topics anyway. But when some people with strong opinions want to get you on their side of a political issue, they won’t be stopped easily. It’s best to go ahead and prepare yourself for how you will respond when challenged.

But you should never let anyone bully you or intimidate you into agreeing with their positions if those positions are opposite to your own. Be aware that some of these people already know you take biblically-based positions on the issues. And they just won’t tolerate you having different beliefs. You can try reporting them to your HR department if they continue to bully you. This may put a stop to their behavior, or it may not. Try anyway since no one should be bullied in the workplace or anywhere else.

Still, times will come when Believers will be confronted about their beliefs. They’ll be accused of being haters of others and lacking intelligence. When this happens, they will do well to remember 1 Peter 3:15-16. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that it in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” (NKJV)

And face it. These conversations won’t just be taking place at work. Believers will have similar talks with family and friends who may not agree with our positions. Regardless of who we speak with we must stand strong for the beliefs God’s Word says are true. Therefore, we must regularly study the Bible and pray for God’s Holy Spirit to give us the words to say when we are witnessing about these issues to others.

By doing these things, you’ll be prepared to stand!

What should I do?

Jun14

Question: Should I stop sharing my biblical views on social issues with my non-Christian friends – some of whom are no longer speaking to me?

Answer: You should speak the truth of God with love! Remember that Jesus said we are to “make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all things that I (Jesus) have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV) How can we make disciples and teach if we don’t share God’s Word with others? Through communication with others, we get to explain to people what God says about how He wants us to live our lives to please Him.

But if the way you share your beliefs comes across as uncaring, pompous, or hypocritical, you are failing to show the love of Jesus. And since these people are your friends, they would know if your “talk” doesn’t match your “walk.” They will not respect you or want to listen to you.

Of course, even if you do present your biblical views in a kind and humble way, people who don’t want to accept God’s teachings will still reject what you have to say. They would rather continue to embrace sinful behavior than to accept God’s words as true. They even try to justify themselves by calling their evil good. And what God says is good they call bad. Then, they work to make sure everyone else does the same. And if you don’t tow the line, they may call you a hater, reject you as a friend, try to get you fired from your job, or something even worse!

The truth is, in their spirit, they know God’s Word is true! That’s why they work so hard to silence Believers who rightfully use God’s words to counter their sinful agendas. But no matter how hard they may try, they can run but they can’t hide from God’s truth.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13)

Therefore, what you should be doing is what all Believers should be doing. Be praying for others to accept Jesus Christ as their one and only Lord and Savior! And pray that the Lord will give you the right words to say at the right times, so you can continue to share the truth of God’s Word with love!

Have you read the end of the Book? God and His people win!

May1

Question: Are Christians wasting their time in continuing to fight against our society’s downhill slide into moral decay?

Answer: Absolutely not! Remember that nothing going on in the world today comes as a surprise to God. God is all-knowing, so He already knows what’s going to happen. And, despite what we see happening in our world now, God is still in control! We as Believers are to stay faithful to His Holy Word. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9 NKJV )

God did not promise that life for the Believer was going to be easy. In fact, Jesus reminds us in John 15:18 that, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” So, we should not be surprised when the world mocks our commitment to standing for the truths of God’s Word. In fact, it’s gotten to the point where unbelievers are going beyond just mocking our beliefs as being intolerant and unintelligent. Now, they want to force Believers to support sinful behavior.

Disregarding our Constitutional First Amendment right to Religious Freedom, they are creating new laws that will punish Christians if we do not go along with behaviors God calls sin. They see Believers as being wrong in standing for the traditional moral teachings of God’s Word, especially on two of the most “hot button” subjects of today: abortion and homosexuality. Instead of agreeing with God’s Word in calling these things sin, they say these things are just fine. But, Isaiah 5:20 says “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil…” Verse 21 goes on to say, “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes.” Only God Almighty says what things are right and what things are sin, not man!

Know that the Word says in Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows that he will also reap.” So, whether or not people accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the Bible assures us of what is going to happen. Philippians 2:9-11 says, “Therefore God has also highly exalted Him (Jesus) and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

By reading the Bible through to its final Book of Revelation, you will see how the Word says things will be in the end. For example, in Revelation 21:6-8 the Lord says, “…It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Therefore, by reading the end of the Book, you know that God and His people win! Praise the Lord! You should also recognize that we need to continue to pray for those who are unbelievers. It’s not God’s desire that anyone be lost “but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) So, let’s be evermore steadfast in following the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28: 19-20. He said to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” For as long as there is life, there is hope! Amen!

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