OPEN HEAVENS Devotional – Saturday February 20th 2016
TOPIC: BEWARE OF DECEIVERS II
Memorize: But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions,
do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
2nd Timothy 4:5
Read: Romans 16:17-20,
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them
which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have
learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our
Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches
deceive the hearts of the simple.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto
all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto
that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 And the God of peace shall bruise
Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Amen.
Bible in one year: Luke 11:1-12:34, Job 24:21-25:6
MESSAGE
The Bible repeatedly warns children of God to beware of
deceivers in the form of false teachers and prophets, because their operations
are usually so smooth that their activities could be very difficult to pin down
as errors. They present their messages as divine revelations received after
much perseverance in prayers and rigorous Bible study. Deceivers present their
deadly errors as newly discovered secret information that was specially
revealed by God, as the preferred way of relating with Him in this generation.
2nd Timothy 4:5 says:
“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the
work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
It is an established fact that keeping the faith
protected from the corruption of deceivers, requires the presence of the Holy
Spirit, a knowledge of the Scripture, holiness, perseverance, Christian
fellowship and spiritual maturity. This attributes must be present in a
person’s life before the instruction in 2nd Timothy 4:5 can be
effectively carried out.
The first essential step is to watch in all things.
To watch, in this sense, is to pay close attention to the beliefs and practices
of the Church, to ensure that they are ever in strict compliance with the Word
of God. By so doing, even the slightest variation would be quickly noticed and
corrected. Also, young believers will be protected from error.
The second essential step is to do the work of an
evangelist by demonstrating the full evidence of the ministry. If indeed the
present generation of Christians would preach the gospel of Jesus Christ with
power, such that miracle, signs, and wonders, are evident in our fellowships
meetings, then the door shall be permanently shut against false prophets.
Furthermore, 2nd Timothy 3:16 says:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:”
This passage boldly declares that everything documented
in the Bible is given by God as a revelation of Himself, His commandments and
teachings. This confirms the Bible as the only divine manual containing
everything we need to know about the Almighty God and His created universe. The
passage also emphasizes the art of teaching, reproof, and correction as means
of keeping the Church clear of false teachers and their messages. Teaching is
the primary task of Christians as indicated in Mathew 28:19. We are called to
teach the whole counsel of God, shedding the light of the gospel over every
aspect of life, for the purpose of remodelling our lives to be in compliance
with the word of God. In addition to teaching, we must reprove by speaking
against false teachers and their heretic messages. At the same time, we must
make serious effort to bring false teachers and those influenced by their
messages back to the knowledge of the truth. Finally, there must be training in
righteousness to learn how to do what is right, what is just and in accordance
with godliness. Once again, beware of deceivers!
Prayer Point
Father, please let anything You have not planted in Your
Church be uprooted today in the Name of Jesus.
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