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Love Of The Truth 2 Th. 2:10 “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” Jesus has warned us about these days so that no one misleads us or deceives us. He is saying it is our personal responsibility to guard ourselves against deception. The way we do this is to establish in our minds what is truth. The parable of the sower shows us truth comes by way of hardships. Hardships are tribulations and sufferings to bring us to obedience. If you are a person who seeks after comfort and ease, you will be prone to wonder towards deception. 1 Kings 13 tells us about a prophet, a man of God, who was obedient to the voice of God. He comforted the wicked King Jeroboam, but was told by God not to eat, drink, or return home the way he came. As a result of his obedience to God, the King invited him to stay for supper in the palace. The man of God refused and left. When we find the man, he is sitting under an oak tree resting -–vulnerability in weakness – this is the setting for hardship and suffering – he was hungry. Deception tries to enter. Now an old prophet had heard what happened and sent his sons to fetch him home. Obedience to the voice of God, the man of God told him No. The old man told him he was also a prophet or man of God and it was ok. By now the young prophet was thinking God had changed his mind!!! But vrs.18 says, “the old prophet lied to him.” God hates it when someone uses His name to cause another to stumble. Jer.23:36 says, (paraphrased) “stop telling people the ‘Lord told me, or the Lord says.’ For people are using it to give authority to their own thoughts, turning my ways upside down, so I will just take them at their own words and they will pay." Thoughtlessly accepting a deceitful word, even if someone gives it “in the name of the Lord,” can cause us to get off the path of the Lord. So the young man listens and goes with them. Then the true word of the Lord came to the old prophet for the young prophet, “Because of your disobedience you will die.” As soon as the young prophet left, a lion came out and ate him. It wasn’t the obvious that deceived him. In his weariness he was looking for comfort – what a price to pay. Has God changed the way He looks at a thing? Or have we modified our way of life to avoid the inevitable? Paul says the reason people are easily deceived is because they do not receive the love of the truth. Accepting and abiding in God’s truth make us sharp, able to discern error. Discernment is not based on intellect but truth. Psalm 119:47 (KJV) “And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.” If we are to walk free from deception we must allow the Holy Spirit to develop within us a consuming love for truth. HOW? Psa 37:3-7 “Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. (4) Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (5) Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass. (6) And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. (7) Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Feed on truth. 3 John 4 says “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” Deception increases because the love of many waxes cold, substituted with the love of money, pleasure and self. And because of wrong priorities, people will be ever learning but never able to comprehend the truth. Seeds will be stolen; seeds will grow but without roots; and seeds will die because of worldly cares. Truth is not a teaching – it is a person. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Those who love Jesus will embrace whatever He says that no matter the cost, they will suffer willingly to obey the Lord. Their refusal to compromise at the expense of the TRUTH is evidence that they are bearing the cross of Christ. This type of submission is true humility. Humility does not oppose but agrees with truth. When someone accuses you of becoming a snob because you are walking in the truth, don’t accept their accusation. Continue to walk in God’s grace and He will keep you from deception. -Pr. Steve
August Newsletter 2005 | Love of the Truth | Ministry Minded part 3 of 3 | Weaklings of Warriors part 2 of 2 Pastor's Journal August 2004 | Arise - Become - Build and Shine part 2 of 3 |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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