It’s fairly easy to distinguish between right and wrong. We know it’s wrong to steal. We know it’s wrong to take someone’s life. We know God hates sin. It’s fairly easy to distinguish between actions that are in the light and those that are not.

The problem arises when people start talking about grey areas. Where you can’t easily see where the line is. What often makes it even more difficult, is that people do it in the name of the Lord. Messages where the wrong side of the line is in the grey area are even preached in churches.

Manie saw this and it bothered him:

The Lord is worried about his people. They sleep and the shepherds do not lead them according to his Will. The shepherds reassure them and say: “Peace and calm,” while there is little time.

The enemy walks around like a roaring lion looking for followers of Jesus to seduce them. The enemy comes with fine words and soft approaches; they’re not sharp and rude.  

They twist the Word of God in subtle ways, introduce theologies that are not 100% Biblical, and people follow them blindly like sheep. 

Remember the snake in paradise also twisted God’s words when he asked Eve whether God had really said they’re not allowed to eat of the tree and in that way created doubt in man.

That’s all that the enemy and his subjects need to steal God’s children away.  Doubt and confusion. 

We must return to God’s Word and hold onto the truth. We shouldn’t appoint preachers and prophets to tell us what we want to hear.

Jesus himself talked a lot about the end times and the false prophets/preachers.

Manie has a point. We don’t even realise that we’re being exposed to people’s interpretations. The devil uses cunning ways to get us away from God. That’s why we need to be aware and on the lookout, even in church.

Paul warns us too and tells us what we need to look out for: ³If you have leaders there who teach otherwise, who refuse the solid words of our Master Jesus and this godly instruction, ⁴tag them for what they are: ignorant windbags who infect the air with germs of envy, controversy, bad-mouthing, suspicious rumours. ⁵Eventually there’s an epidemic of backstabbing, and truth is but a distant memory. They think religion is a way to make a fast buck.

For me, there is one golden rule: Does the message I hear fit in with Jesus’ words? Does it tell exactly the same story or not? If it is not in line with Jesus’ words, I must get rid of it immediately.

There is just one pure message and that is the message that Jesus spoke here on earth. Let’s always make sure that what we take as the truth is in line with Jesus’ message.

Scripture
1 Timothy 6:3-5

Reflection
Are you sure the message is right?
How do you know it?
Does it fit in with Jesus’ words?

Prayer
Jesus, your message of salvation is simple and easy to understand. Please help me to keep to the pure truth so that I do not mislead or rebuff people with unnecessary arguments about things that draw our attention away from the message of salvation. Amen.