Week of November 12
Guarding Truth and Freedom
Satan is working overtime trying to destroy the church from the inside out. The very foundational beliefs of the church are crumbling today, and the first casualty has been the truth.
I Timothy 4:1 says that "in later times, some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." Similarly, Jude's epistle sounds an alarm, warning the church of the consequences to those who allow themselves to disregard God's truth for some other version.
Read Jude 1:3-7.
Verse 5 tells how the Israelites forfeited great blessings when they did not trust God's promise to deliver them safely to the Promised Land. Caleb and Joshua, however, stood on God's promises and were allowed to enter.
Jude also tells of the fallen angels who lost their lofty positions when they believed Lucifer's enticing lies.
Finally, Jude shows the grief and destruction that came to Sodom and Gomorrah when they winked at sin, carelessly disregarding scriptural truth.
Matthew 7:15 tells us that false prophets are really wolves in sheep's clothing, sent by Satan to trip up the faithful. Naturally, believers who have confessed, repented and accepted Jesus Christ as the only means of atoning for sin will not lose their salvation. Still, Satan can fill their lives with pain, confusion, and grief if he is allowed to infiltrate the church.
What sins has our culture become casual about? Is there an area of temptation in your life that you have not energetically addressed as sin?
In addition to knowing God's Word, Christians must fight against apathy. Commitment to learn God's Word and live by it cannot be taken lightly by a believer. Caring about what God cares about is a step toward this healing.
Certainly, God is not apathetic about us. Isaiah 49:15-16 offers a loving promise: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me."
He affirms this in Joshua 1:5 when He says He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Finally, do not be casual about attacks on truth for they are attacks on your freedom as an individual as well as on our nation. Truth and freedom are inextricably linked. Many Christians are concerned about the systematic loss of religious and political freedom in our times. History has shown that as the church goes, so goes the society. Jesus said it clearly in John 8:32: "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
What might be the consequences to our nation if Christians falter in fighting for God's truth to prevail? Is God's truth an important factor when you make business, financial, or political decisions? What do you need to do to help guard truth and freedom? Develop more intimacy with the Lord in prayer? Learn more about the truths in your Bible?
God is sufficient to give you wisdom and power in these areas if you only ask. Pray that God will strengthen you to contend for the faith and for truth in your home, work, and community. Prayerfully approach your decisions as a family member, neighbor, and citizen.
"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."--1 Timothy 4:1
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