What do you spend your time on? What are you busy with? Does what come out of your mouth build others up or break them down?

Well, here’s a warning to all of us: ¹⁶Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know.

Gill (e-Sword) hits the nail on the head explaining the words of false prophets:

Ministry by false teachers is nothing but idle chatter. It is voice making sounds, nothing more. Their mouths make sounds and spit out words with no meaning.

It is a torrent of insignificance – like water bubbles that look impressive and make a lot of noise, but have no substance. They contain nothing more than empty trivialities. Insubstantial and of no consequence.

The words of false teachers have no benefit for anybody.

Do I want to listen to words like that? Certainly not! I want to put my hands over my ears and turn my back. People who say things that are against the Word of God give me the creeps, and I believe you too. We all agree on this and will stand together to silence the false teachers.

The problem is there are so many different teachers today and we don’t always know who is right and who is talking a load of nonsense. It’s as if truth and untruth have become so interwoven that we can no longer distinguish well between what is right and what is wrong.

Manie also saw this:

The Lord is worried about his people. They’re fast asleep and the shepherds are not leading them according to God’s will. The shepherds put them to sleep and say, “Peace and calm”, while there is little time left.

The enemy is walking around like a roaring lion, wanting to deceive Jesus’ followers. The enemy comes with tempting words and soft attitudes; they aren’t rude and disagreeable. They distort the Word of God in subtle ways, proclaiming teachings that aren’t 100% founded in the Bible, and people follow them blindly like sheep. 

We must return to God’s Word and hold onto the truth. We shouldn’t appoint preachers and prophets to put our minds at rest. Jesus Himself talked a lot about the end times and false preachers/prophets. As far as I can see, each and every apostle warned against heresy and the dangers and afflictions ahead. 

It is our responsibility to ensure that we listen to the right words. We can’t rely on the number of degrees our pastor possesses or that he/she has studied at a leading Bible school.

But it’s not so difficult to make sure that the truths we hear are true indeed. Simply test it against the Word of God. And if it is still unclear, ask the Spirit of God for help. Ask fellow believers to pray with you to get clarity together.

If we listen to the wrong people, chances are we’ll move even further away from God. So, make sure and be convinced that your ears are attuned to the wavelength of God’s truths.

Do, listen, and speak the truth.

Scripture
2 Tim 2:14-18

Reflection
Does what come out of your mouth build others up or break them down?
Are your ears attuned to the wavelength of God’s truths?

Prayer
Lord, your Holy Spirit inside me is my Helper. It is good to know that if I make time to be quiet, make time to listen, You will guide me on the right road. Amen.