My title for this devotion is Words of man vs Word of God.
It is not uncommon today, or any day for that matter, for people to put their trust in men. It has been happening since the beginning of time. I guess we see it more now since it affects us directly. We have seen the “rise” of superstar people because people have put a lot of stock in what they say. I’m speaking of the religious community specifically. We have “Christian celebrity” preachers who are millionaires or who make well into the 6 figures because gullible people hang on their every word as though it is true. They fall hook, line, and sinker for their lies. It seems ungodly and is appalling for these “Christian” speakers to live in the lap of luxury while many of their followers live from day-to-day looking for that elusive golden egg. The deception of false teaching is sad. The hero status placed on the heads of these people is nauseating. A man hawking miracle water. Grave sucking. Destiny cards. False healings. “Holy” laughter. Speakers making spectacles of themselves. It goes on and on.
All of their garbage teaching is based on “the Lord told me.” “The Lord told me to tell you to give to my work and you will be blessed many-fold.” What they don’t tell you is how lined their pockets are. We simply MUST weigh every word said by the Word of God. The Scripture twisting they employ MUST be checked. Some will say, “How can I do that?” Proverbs 2:6-8 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth came knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.”
Come to Him with a sincere desire to know and gain His wisdom. If we could set aside our desire for earthly gain we can see His clear Word. Paul told Timothy this would happen, that people would want their ears tickled. It has been, is now, and will be what happens. There will always be someone to come along as the “next best thing.” It will continue to run rampant UNLESS we stop seeking earthly ease and satisfaction and start seeking Him. God has not promised health and wealth to His people; He has promised His presence in and through all things.
“Father, Your wisdom is perfect. Your Word is perfect and it is life. May I seek your perfect wisdom in all things. Help me not to be enamored by things here, but keep my eyes on You.”
I feel so sorry for the many people who fall prey to these false preachers, forgetting that the only true wisdom lies in God’s Word. No one or nothing should be placed on a pedestal other than the Lord.
Blessings, Bill!
I feel bad for them also Martha. it is all I can do to not want to “bash” heads, so to speak.
Yep. People are sheep. Too bad they use their free will to follow the bad shepherd…
Agreed.
I’ll be honest, I am probably to skeptical and bull-headed to put any person that high on a pedestal. When I was young in my faith, I struggled with different teachings, different books, different thoughts and realized that there were really just a few absolutes that I would put my entire belief system on. Unless it can be fully backed up by scripture, I’ll listen, I’ll keep an open mind, but as soon as it contradicts what I read in the Bible… I am pretty much done with it. I can discuss theories and ideas all day long. However, theories and ideas are just that… not doctrine.
You are rare Ryan. You study and are willing to investigate. Many won’t or can’t. They follow blindly.