1 John 4:1
Dearly loved friends, don’t always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around…
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A former co-worker of Greg’s was famous for saying, “If you lie, you fry…Hezekiah 3:5.” For those who might be nodding their heads and saying, “Yep…that’s exactly right!”…there is no such book in the Bible as Hezekiah! The fellow got a kick out of pulling this prank on people and watching them fall for it.
In an online article written by CNN correspondent, John Blake – titled “Actually, that’s not in the Bible”* - Blake cites several verses people often quote with complete confidence they are scripturally accurate…such as “God helps those who help themselves,” and “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” In fact, neither of these oft-quoted “verses” actually exists in scripture.
Blake went on to cite Steve Bouma-Prediger, a religion professor at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, who noted that even people in his college religion classes were easily fooled. He would quote 2 Hesitations 4:3…”There are no internal combustion engines in heaven.” Then he would pause to see if someone would recognize that neither the book of 2 Hesitations – or this verse – were actually part of the Bible. Bouma-Prediger said only a few got the joke.
Here’s the thing…these are rather humorous examples meant to elicit a chuckle. But far too many people are declaring themselves authorities on God’s word and will…claiming to be prophets who can predict the future…and making every attempt to convince others that they have accurately interpreted scripture – even when what they are claiming causes many to scratch their heads and wonder, “How can this be?” The television channels are full of “evangelists” who are proponents of this cause or that one. Countless men and women stand at the ready to tell us they are certain that God wants us to do XYZ in this country or support that mission in ABC – or that this action or that one are an abominable sin. And countless people fall into line to follow them – and finance or otherwise endorse their agendas.
I know people who are experiencing tremendous stress because they have been told that God expects them to “step out of their comfort zone” and do more, give more, serve more often and with greater conviction, and focus every single minute on His missions and the work of the church. I’ve seen families struggle because of the struggle and strain created when there is too much focus on what others perceive as “God’s work” at the expense of family life, work, marriage and relationships, and more.
Yes, Jesus told James and John to drop their fishing nets and follow Him. Another disciple asked for a couple of days off to tend to his father’s funeral, and Jesus told him to let others bury the dead while he pursued life. But we have to consider these verses in context…and while they have relevance in our lives, I don’t believe Jesus was literally telling us to drop EVERYTHING and EVERYONE to serve him – at least not in this same way.
I will tell you…I don’t have all the answers. But I am so frustrated sometimes with those who make outlandish claims that are supposed to be “scripturally based.” They post alarming memes and quotes on social media that don’t do anything but scare the pants off people. I have to refrain from commenting sometimes and telling them just how much this diminishes their “Christian witness” and calls it into question for those who stop and think for even half a second about what they are promoting!
I pray that you are not one of these people – the “promoters” OR someone who gets caught up in these falsehoods. Stay awake and alert. Read your Bible and spend some quiet time in meditation and communication with God and ASK HIM to show you the truth…then abide in it! Don’t be that person who blindly nods in agreement when someone quotes Hezekiah 3:5 or 2 Hesitations 4:3. Know enough about scripture to at least check before acting on certain verses. Dig out your Bible or do an online search and see if you can find those passages for yourself.
Ask God what He wants you to do…and when and where He wants you to serve…and then don’t do anything else! Not everything is your mission or ministry! Learn to tell the difference - and operate only in the things that God has ordained for you. Christian discipleship is a privilege…and a gift. Make sure you are honoring God’s blessings to the fullest by staying on track…and always operating in His truths.
©2017 Debbie Robus
*“Actually, that’s not in the Bible” ~ http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/19/living/bible-not-jesus/
Dearly loved friends, don’t always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around…
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A former co-worker of Greg’s was famous for saying, “If you lie, you fry…Hezekiah 3:5.” For those who might be nodding their heads and saying, “Yep…that’s exactly right!”…there is no such book in the Bible as Hezekiah! The fellow got a kick out of pulling this prank on people and watching them fall for it.
In an online article written by CNN correspondent, John Blake – titled “Actually, that’s not in the Bible”* - Blake cites several verses people often quote with complete confidence they are scripturally accurate…such as “God helps those who help themselves,” and “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” In fact, neither of these oft-quoted “verses” actually exists in scripture.
Blake went on to cite Steve Bouma-Prediger, a religion professor at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, who noted that even people in his college religion classes were easily fooled. He would quote 2 Hesitations 4:3…”There are no internal combustion engines in heaven.” Then he would pause to see if someone would recognize that neither the book of 2 Hesitations – or this verse – were actually part of the Bible. Bouma-Prediger said only a few got the joke.
Here’s the thing…these are rather humorous examples meant to elicit a chuckle. But far too many people are declaring themselves authorities on God’s word and will…claiming to be prophets who can predict the future…and making every attempt to convince others that they have accurately interpreted scripture – even when what they are claiming causes many to scratch their heads and wonder, “How can this be?” The television channels are full of “evangelists” who are proponents of this cause or that one. Countless men and women stand at the ready to tell us they are certain that God wants us to do XYZ in this country or support that mission in ABC – or that this action or that one are an abominable sin. And countless people fall into line to follow them – and finance or otherwise endorse their agendas.
I know people who are experiencing tremendous stress because they have been told that God expects them to “step out of their comfort zone” and do more, give more, serve more often and with greater conviction, and focus every single minute on His missions and the work of the church. I’ve seen families struggle because of the struggle and strain created when there is too much focus on what others perceive as “God’s work” at the expense of family life, work, marriage and relationships, and more.
Yes, Jesus told James and John to drop their fishing nets and follow Him. Another disciple asked for a couple of days off to tend to his father’s funeral, and Jesus told him to let others bury the dead while he pursued life. But we have to consider these verses in context…and while they have relevance in our lives, I don’t believe Jesus was literally telling us to drop EVERYTHING and EVERYONE to serve him – at least not in this same way.
I will tell you…I don’t have all the answers. But I am so frustrated sometimes with those who make outlandish claims that are supposed to be “scripturally based.” They post alarming memes and quotes on social media that don’t do anything but scare the pants off people. I have to refrain from commenting sometimes and telling them just how much this diminishes their “Christian witness” and calls it into question for those who stop and think for even half a second about what they are promoting!
I pray that you are not one of these people – the “promoters” OR someone who gets caught up in these falsehoods. Stay awake and alert. Read your Bible and spend some quiet time in meditation and communication with God and ASK HIM to show you the truth…then abide in it! Don’t be that person who blindly nods in agreement when someone quotes Hezekiah 3:5 or 2 Hesitations 4:3. Know enough about scripture to at least check before acting on certain verses. Dig out your Bible or do an online search and see if you can find those passages for yourself.
Ask God what He wants you to do…and when and where He wants you to serve…and then don’t do anything else! Not everything is your mission or ministry! Learn to tell the difference - and operate only in the things that God has ordained for you. Christian discipleship is a privilege…and a gift. Make sure you are honoring God’s blessings to the fullest by staying on track…and always operating in His truths.
©2017 Debbie Robus
*“Actually, that’s not in the Bible” ~ http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/19/living/bible-not-jesus/
