DAILY DEVOTION: "Take God’s Word for It"

Day 46: Take God’s Word for It

Scripture: (2 Peter 2:1-3) But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 

Author: Stephanie Mitchener

A few years ago, my small group was studying the book of 2 Peter. We found it very challenging but very pertinent to our lives. Throughout the book, Paul warns us to be on guard against false teachers. He says they will come as wolves in sheep’s clothing and that some will come from among the flock. He admonishes us to know the Word because it builds us up and gives us an inheritance. That by knowing the Word, we can distinguish what is counterfeit. False prophets were popping up everywhere teaching destructive heresies in Paul’s day, just like today.  Sometimes it’s hard to determine who is telling the truth and who is telling a lie because most of the lies are subtle. It sounds right and is pleasing to my ear, and it makes me feel good about the way I’m living, so it must be true, right? 

2 Timothy 4:3-4 warns us that the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

This really does sound like our world today. There are many false teachers/preachers out there and they are so subtle in their teaching of heresy that many miss it and are led astray without even realizing it. These heresies are destructive because they lead people away from Christ and toward spiritual ruin. Many good people follow these false teachers because they do not know the Truth. They cannot recognize the difference between the truth and the lie. What about you, can you spot a counterfeit?

I once heard that Federal agents don’t learn to spot counterfeit money by studying the counterfeits. They study genuine bills until they master the look of the real thing. Then, when they see the bogus money, they recognize it. 

So again, I ask you, can you recognize a false teacher? We must study the genuine Word of God ourselves so we will not be deceived and led astray. We must master the living, breathing Word of God and be able to recognize a counterfeit. We need to check all authors, teachers, and preachers.

Don’t take their word for it, take God’s Word for it. His is the only one that matters!

Take Paul’s warning and begin studying the Scriptures for yourself. It’s the only way you will be able to recognize a counterfeit from the real thing!