This world is full of false wisdom and "get-rich-quick schemes." "Do this and it'll bring happiness." "If a person makes this much, works another job, has N number of degrees, and sells their soul, they'll finally find happiness." And many of these lies have made it into the church. Such is the sad truth of the ministries of Kenneth Copeland, Joel Olsteen, Steven Anderson, and Cleflo Dollar. Jesus needs to be the only portion that true joy is found in, amidst the backdrop of a world wrought in misery. Avoiding false wisdom and doctrines outside and inside the church need to be on the radar. The only way to avoid false wisdom and doctrines and is by knowing the truth imparted in scripture by spending time each day meditating on it.
Devotional Reading
Proverbs 8:1-7
"Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; before the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: "To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness."
Proverbs 8 is a proverb written by King Solomon, the son and heir of King David. It was written to the people of Israel and geographically, the paths would make sense since gates leading into the city are mentioned. The wisdom described is the Word of God. King Solomon is stating that even when God's word portrays true wisdom that is of value and divine revelation, to the simple it is nothing more than stories. In the New Testament, Jesus spoke in parables to impart truth to believers and keep false believers blinded. False wisdom has no foundation and knowing the signs of false doctrine can save your spiritual walk.
A True Foundation
The Word of God is alive and sharper than any two-edged sword. God cannot utter what is false and is unable to tempt mankind. Many are the people who say that "God tempts me."
"Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He himself tempts no one" (James 1:13).
A quote by Kenneth Copeland:
"Because his physical death was not enough for the payment of sins there was another way of sins payment. Jesus put himself into the hands of Satan when He went to that cross, and took the same nature that Adam did (when he sinned)." (Kenneth Copeland, The Incarnation (Kenneth Copeland Ministries, 1985, audiotape #01-0402)"
If this isn't the biggest lie ever told about the Gospel, then I truly don't know what is. Luke 23:46 tells us, "Father, into Thy hands I commit My Spirit." This is also told in the Gospel of Matthew, 27:50 and the Gospel of John, 19:30. So not only was sin imparted on Christ (He wasn't sinful because if he was, we would have no redemption), but the trinity is again seen here because Christ could command His spirit to depart. Even Stephen, the first martyr for Christ, could not tell his spirit to depart. He asked God to take his spirit. Christ commanded His Spirit to leave.
See more about these versus here http://www.letusreason.org/Wf23.htm
Signs of False Doctrine
There are a few commonalities with false doctrine. Among the list are the following:
Most important: the Holy Spirit brings conviction of falsehood regarding the teaching
Scriptural text is applied with incorrect context
An eloquent style of interpretation is used that resembles charismatic charisma.
A faulty or even unbiblical foundation is used
Pride fills the heart of the teacher and renders them unable to withstand critism
Man's (humankind) downfall is to lust after making ourselves like God. Anything or anyone who states God isn't enough, or that we can be like God, is not the weaver of truth, but the weaver of lies. God didn't tell Adam and Eve in Eden that they could be like God but warned them that they would die if they tried to be like Him. Satan was the one who questioned God's authority. God also exempted this at the Tower of Babel. Be wary of the ones who invent scripture and claim to be Christian. In truth, there were many false teachers even in King Solomon's time and in King David's time. King Solomon even writes "Does not wisdom call out?" (Proverbs 8:1) What he is asking is "isn't the evidence there?" Set your mind to truth instead of folly, true wisdom instead of false wisdom.
In Closing
I pray that through these posts, the truth of God is revealed and the lies are stripped away.
For commentary on Proverbs 8, please visit Bible Study Tools at https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/proverbs/8.html
For a more in-depth view of God, please see The Attributes of God, The Attributes of God: Letter A, and the Attributes of God: Letter B.
An excellent app to have regarding Bible studies is the Logos app.
See this post on We Heart It
Take care and be weary of the ones who profess from their mouths that they are children of God, but whose actions are contradictory.
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