October 8: WATCHFUL!
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
The media bombardment of anti-biblical teachings in periodicals and books written about by Ellen G. White 123 years ago continues its bombardment today in far more persuasive forms of media. The point she was making back then is coming into sharper focus today for those who are tuning in to God’s end-time messaging. In Revelation 16, God clearly applies the frogs of Egypt to unclean and degrading media overspreading the land and destroying souls. It is the very essence of the battle of Armageddon, and spiritualism is at its core. Remember that Egypt, in its rejection of God, has become a symbol for our world in the Scriptures.
The Oxford Dictionary defines spiritualism as “a system of belief or religious practice based upon supposed communication with the spirits of the dead, especially through mediums.” With this concise definition in mind, we can spot the rejection of God’s teachings in pagan religious practices. These made-up ideas spring from the precept of the soul’s “natural immortality.” They can be traced directly back to Satan’s false statement to Eve in the Garden of Eden. My paraphrase: ‘You will not really die.’ While reincarnation, karma, transmigration, and other precepts from eastern religions are considered false by most Christians, these same Christians embrace denial of death by preaching that everyone who dies goes instantly to one place or the other. Jesus warned of this compromise with the pagan world (Revelation 2:13-16) and followed that letter with an even sterner criticism (vv.20-23) because the problem increased.
The two testaments of the Bible are in perfect harmony with one another. The Spirit of God is the Author. In contrast to the made-up ideas of fallen man, holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Scriptures are able to make one wise unto salvation…, for all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:15-16)
The “take away” as we walk through the mine field of false teachings put forth in the name of Christ is to trust God’s word over what the majority says. We are to trust God’s word over our own emotions. His word is to be trusted over traditions that effectively minimize the saving message of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and present role as High Priest. Every teaching must be tested by the Bible. It should not surprise us that the world as a whole is moving farther and farther away from the sound doctrines given throughout the Scriptures. The Bible tells us that this trend will become more than just a trend: it will inevitably be enforced by man’s law. The great controversy between Christ and Satan is a battle for our minds. Jesus told His followers: “By your patience possess your souls.” (Luke 21:19; see also Revelation 13:10; 14:12)
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:3-5