Other than the use of pagan writings that Paul used; for instance to further expound on a concept (usally to reach those of a particular culture) such readings tend to lead us toward the slippery slope of poisonous leaven which seeks to diminish the Bible or make us somehow think it isn't adequate for use as 2 Timothy 3:16 states. When we start to find novel interpretations ultimately it is used to justify our sin; and unbelief of course is a very serious issue; and seems to be the worst sin as to it's destructive power. The other extreme is those who exaggerate the charismatic aspects to "spiritual gifts"; either at the expense of proper balance within the church in relation to ministry to others (order in worship for example). What often comes out of that if no discernment is used is a demonic spirit that mimics the Holy Spirit (such as Kundalini). Once false religions are allowed to come in then we have a "reimagined" Jesus; heaven and every other Biblical narrative is explained in such a way.
Eventually; of course the Bible is rejected outright if we continue to deny it's truth and exclusivity and we will become reprobate from the faith; if we are unregenerate. Thankfully His elect will return after being astray for a season; and such testimonies are commonplace today especially among young adults.
My third point on Scriptures and poison is something which involves turning literal scriptures into symbolic in order to "pidgeonhole" the particular doctrine espoused when it doesn't seem to fit in with particular sections of the Bible. This technique is commonplace with many Post-Millennials and A Millennials in particular; when they insist for instance that we are in the 1000 years in the church age rather than an event post Tribulation. There is often the concept that God must be done with Israel (despite certain eternal covenants promised to them that are unconditional).
I appreciate you and Gigi's thoughts on thinking more deeply on the scripture and letting God reveal himself. The Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth if we seek him diligently and have the faith to believe the scripture.
Thank you, Richard. Your postings here remind us to be vigilant so as not to be led astray by false teachers and doctrines that are so prevalent in the church today. I was just thinking on this a night or so ago as I was trying to get to sleep (which is when I often turn things over in my mind because of lack of distractions). I was thinking about how in my own lifetime so many false ideas have entered the body of Christ and taken root, grown, and become common belief in many branches of the body of Christ.
I can reflect back on how many of these false ideas are of more recent "revelation" and there are so many people so eager to latch on to something "new" not realizing that the Scriptures are completed and no new revelations will be given to the world. The past few hundred years have incubated and birthed many heresies and false teachers from within the church family. And some of the heresies are age old ones repackaged. These are doctrines that the church has consistently refuted as erroneous, but keep cropping up to lead people astray.
It makes me sad to see this happen. I have decades-old believing friends who seem to jump on the bandwagon of every new trend in the churches. I try to warn them and pray for them often. Whenever I hear or read something that is patently false from someone who claims to be a believer I give them the benefit of the doubt that they are just deceived but not necessarily deceivers and I pray for them. If I get the opportunity I try to speak out what I know to be true. But we all should be watchful of what we accept as truth and speak because any of us can fall into error so easily even if we are true believers. We need to be humble when people try to challenge our thinking and go to the word to test what we say and what others say. Paul exhorted leaders like Timothy as well as to the members of the churches he planted to be diligent and watchful and careful about their doctrine. This is good advice for us to follow today, too.
Other than the use of pagan writings that Paul used; for instance to further expound on a concept (usally to reach those of a particular culture) such readings tend to lead us toward the slippery slope of poisonous leaven which seeks to diminish the Bible or make us somehow think it isn't adequate for use as 2 Timothy 3:16 states. When we start to find novel interpretations ultimately it is used to justify our sin; and unbelief of course is a very serious issue; and seems to be the worst sin as to it's destructive power. The other extreme is those who exaggerate the charismatic aspects to "spiritual gifts"; either at the expense of proper balance within the church in relation to ministry to others (order in worship for example). What often comes out of that if no discernment is used is a demonic spirit that mimics the Holy Spirit (such as Kundalini). Once false religions are allowed to come in then we have a "reimagined" Jesus; heaven and every other Biblical narrative is explained in such a way.
Eventually; of course the Bible is rejected outright if we continue to deny it's truth and exclusivity and we will become reprobate from the faith; if we are unregenerate. Thankfully His elect will return after being astray for a season; and such testimonies are commonplace today especially among young adults.
My third point on Scriptures and poison is something which involves turning literal scriptures into symbolic in order to "pidgeonhole" the particular doctrine espoused when it doesn't seem to fit in with particular sections of the Bible. This technique is commonplace with many Post-Millennials and A Millennials in particular; when they insist for instance that we are in the 1000 years in the church age rather than an event post Tribulation. There is often the concept that God must be done with Israel (despite certain eternal covenants promised to them that are unconditional).
I can reflect back on how many of these false ideas are of more recent "revelation" and there are so many people so eager to latch on to something "new" not realizing that the Scriptures are completed and no new revelations will be given to the world. The past few hundred years have incubated and birthed many heresies and false teachers from within the church family. And some of the heresies are age old ones repackaged. These are doctrines that the church has consistently refuted as erroneous, but keep cropping up to lead people astray.
It makes me sad to see this happen. I have decades-old believing friends who seem to jump on the bandwagon of every new trend in the churches. I try to warn them and pray for them often. Whenever I hear or read something that is patently false from someone who claims to be a believer I give them the benefit of the doubt that they are just deceived but not necessarily deceivers and I pray for them. If I get the opportunity I try to speak out what I know to be true. But we all should be watchful of what we accept as truth and speak because any of us can fall into error so easily even if we are true believers. We need to be humble when people try to challenge our thinking and go to the word to test what we say and what others say. Paul exhorted leaders like Timothy as well as to the members of the churches he planted to be diligent and watchful and careful about their doctrine. This is good advice for us to follow today, too.
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