February 12: IS IT SO? WHO SEZ?
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit . . . 2 Corinthians 11:3-4a
Our heritage goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden. The dividing of the church into false and true worship is a pattern that began when sin entered the world. The first babies that were born came to represent this division. Cain and Abel both worshiped. But Cain received a different spirit, wanting to do it his way, and made a show of his disregard for God’s instructions. This disregard meant that Cain was unwittingly bowing to another authority: that of Satan. Cain’s parents, who had already done that, returned to God’s loving authority for their own sakes, but more so as an example for their children.
God’s purpose in having a sacrificial animal in the course of worship pointed to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Just as God sought Adam and Eve after their initial endeavor onto the territory of sin, calling out “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9), He is actively pursuing each of us. He faithfully engineers our circumstances so that we are brought to the point of making distinct choices. In short, He allows testing into our lives.
God gave His word to live by. And then we are tested for the purpose of refining our character. We have all fallen short in various areas, but in bowing to divine Authority, we are equipped to overcome. Do not allow the enemy to take back “territory” that you have surrendered to Jesus. Satan attempts to regain ground that he has lost in deceptive, small increments. He will whisper, “God doesn’t really care about this or that…” But any lapse of undivided loyalty to God’s authority cracks open the door that leads to woe and ruin.
Another Jesus is being preached in the world. This false christ has deceptively altered or omitted numerous teachings in the Word while claiming authority to make such changes. On a massive scale, all across the world, these deceptive alterations are being accepted without question.* God’s loving warnings, if heeded, will place you securely beyond the reach of deception and every wind of doctrine swirling about:
. . . that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. Ephesians 4:14
It is incumbent upon every working human mind to be personally responsible for every belief incorporated into thinking. Paul encouraged the infant church in Thessalonica with great affection. His first letter to them contains foundational truths. But, due to the seeds of false doctrine sown afterwards, the second letter encourages them not to be shaken in mind and to cultivate a love of the truth (2:2,10). Our brother Luke concurs, making a comparison with the church in Berea:
*These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Acts 17:11