"They (false prophets) are the judgment of God
upon a wicked, defiled people, who although
they have a knowledge of God, they do not want
Him.
And so God sends them the teachers that they
themselves desire."
Paul Washer
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FALSE TEACHERS
Seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, we can turn on the TV and see preachers
delivering false teaching to their congregations and viewers. It's a shame, but it
seems there are more television evangelists who preach unbiblical gospels such
as the "prosperity gospel," or the "word faith movement," or "health and wealth"
teachings, than there are preachers who faithfully deliver God's word.
Their message rarely if ever includes mention of sin, or repentance, or God's
wrath and forgiveness, or substitutionary atonement. They preach a "what can God
do for me?" kind of gospel, instead of the true gospel of Jesus Christ; that Jesus died for
sinners, and rose from the dead, and gives eternal life to everyone who repents
and trusts in Him for salvation.
We, as believers, need to show discernment and test these preachers
we allow into our homes via our televisions and radios, and the internet. Are
they preaching the true gospel, or are they bringing a message that people
want to hear, one that is pleasant and positive, but not necessarily biblical?
One that says that God will bless us with good health and prosperity if
we just have enough faith; a faith that often requires a donation to the ministry,
for the blessing to come. And somehow, most of these evangelists seem to be
"very blessed," because they have big houses and plenty of money (that comes
from those who donate, so they themselves will receive God's mercy).
*************
DON'T SUPPORT THEM, BUT PRAY FOR THEM
If the preacher is teaching any of these man made doctrines that are unbiblical,
we need to turn off the TV, and stop supporting these ministries. It saddens me to
see so many people sitting there in the audience saying "amen," and affirming what
is being said by these men and women who do not have their best interests in mind.
We should pray that God would open their eyes to the truth, and that these false
teachers would be granted repentance, and that they would stop preaching their
unbiblical messages, and embrace the true gospel of the Bible.
**************
TESTIFY AND SUFFER, IF NECESSARY
Paul, languishing in a cold dungeon, wrote to his "son," Timothy, encouraging
him to continue preaching the gospel, and to persevere in the faith he had been
granted by God.
"So do not be ashamed to testify about
our Lord, or ashamed of me His prisoner.
But join with me in suffering for the gospel,
by the power of God, who has saved us and
called us to a holy life - not because of any-
thing we have done but because of His own
purpose and grace.
This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before
the beginning of time, but it has now been
revealed through the appearing of our Savior,
Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has
brought life and immortality to light through
the gospel."
2 Timothy 1:8-10
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DEPEND ON THE SCRIPTURE WHICH IS GOD-BREATHED
Paul urged Timothy to continue in what he had learned and become convinced of,
the gospel, even through persecution and suffering, and the fact that many would try to
deceive people through false teachings.
"In fact, everyone who wants to live a
godly life in Christ Jesus will be
persecuted, while evil men and impostors
will go from bad to worse, deceiving
and being deceived.
But as for you, continue in what you have
learned and have become convinced of,
because you know those from whom you
have learned it, and how from infancy you
have known the holy Scriptures, which are
able to make you wise for salvation through
faith in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in
righteousness, so that the man of God may be
thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:12-17
***************
PREACH THE WORD
Paul charged Timothy to continue to preach the gospel, even though many
would turn away from it and embrace false doctrines and myths, that satisfied
their "itching ears." They would rather hear the message of deceivers, than
hear the true message from the word of God.
"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who will judge the living and the dead,
and in view of His appearing and His
kingdom, I give you this charge:
Preach the Word; be prepared in season
and out of season; correct, rebuke, and
encourage - with great patience and
careful instruction.
For the time will come when men will not
put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit
their own desires, they will gather around
them a great number of teachers to say what
their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth
and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your
head in all situations, endure hardship, do the
work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties
of your ministry."
2 Timothy 4:1-5
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