You never know who that stranger might be.”
–Lou Bradshaw (Comin’ Home)
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
–Ephesians 6:12(NASB)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” –1 John 5:19 (NASB)
Over fifty years ago there was a movie that came out called, “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World.” It was hilarious then, but now we are truly living in a mad, mad, mad world. And the thing about it is that it is getting madder. I don’t mean angry, however there is much anger out there, but I mean crazy, insane, bizarre, and macabre. That fits right into the verse for today’s lesson.
There are many voices of various types calling out to you today. Who do you listen to? Which ones are true? Which ones will lead you astray and hinder your walk with God? For sure be careful of spiritual voices for they may not necessarily be from God, even the so-called Christian voices. That is why we must be in God’s Word; we must adhere to sound doctrine. I have discussed doctrine quite often in my writings. It is imperative that we have sound doctrine or we might float with every silly teaching that comes along; anything that appeals to our fancy.
Many want to disregard the word “doctrine” but that’s all the New Testament is–the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. Doctrine! “People often tell me Doctrine divides, and I Say, Yes, it divides Truth from Error” (John MacArthur). To not want to live by the teachings (doctrine) of the Bible is to not be a true disciple.
Remember, we are to live a life of joy. That is one of the things that will help us survive in this evil world. We are to walk in fellowship with God, and that means to obey His commandments (doctrine). We also have a family relationship with God; we are His children. There are several things that go against fellowship and being a child.
1) We must keep the commandments–obedience is required.
2) We must love one another.
3) We must be absolutely clear and certain as to what we believe.
Grasp hold of and contemplate the following verse and relate it to the world in which we live.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
–1 John 4:1 (NASB)
Know that there are different kinds of spirits. There is the Holy Spirit who will guide and comfort us. There are angelic spirits, some of whom we might see and others we might entertain unawares. There are evil spirits and demonic spirits who aid the devil in the war against the Kingdom of God. There is also one more spirit, one that often hinders us, the human spirit. How many times has your spirit interfered with what the Holy Spirit would have you do?
We must, if we want to grow spiritually and survive in this world, maintain a position of scriptural balance. We must not let “experience” hinder sound doctrine. Notice, sound doctrine–doctrine that is Biblical. There must be a balance between fanaticism and intellectualism. Do not let emotions control yet at the same time do not be a cynical and skeptical snob. It is important, especially in today’s church world, that we beware of those who claim unusual authority from God–these people become impatient of sound teaching and doctrine.
Listen, get this down, any experience which is not based upon truth and doctrine is dangerous. I will not question a person’s experience, however, I will question the validity and truth of the experience. There are many who are opposed to theology or they are not interested. How can this be? Theology is the study of God and we are to know Him and become more like Him, therefore, we must be in His Word. Then watch out for those out there who may be “super-spiritual” who are then in reality pseudo-spiritual. They think because of their “status” they do not think they have to try to spirits; they have a form of godliness.
–Ephesians 6:12(NASB)
————————————-
How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” –1 John 5:19 (NASB)
Over fifty years ago there was a movie that came out called, “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World.” It was hilarious then, but now we are truly living in a mad, mad, mad world. And the thing about it is that it is getting madder. I don’t mean angry, however there is much anger out there, but I mean crazy, insane, bizarre, and macabre. That fits right into the verse for today’s lesson.
There are many voices of various types calling out to you today. Who do you listen to? Which ones are true? Which ones will lead you astray and hinder your walk with God? For sure be careful of spiritual voices for they may not necessarily be from God, even the so-called Christian voices. That is why we must be in God’s Word; we must adhere to sound doctrine. I have discussed doctrine quite often in my writings. It is imperative that we have sound doctrine or we might float with every silly teaching that comes along; anything that appeals to our fancy.
Many want to disregard the word “doctrine” but that’s all the New Testament is–the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. Doctrine! “People often tell me Doctrine divides, and I Say, Yes, it divides Truth from Error” (John MacArthur). To not want to live by the teachings (doctrine) of the Bible is to not be a true disciple.
Remember, we are to live a life of joy. That is one of the things that will help us survive in this evil world. We are to walk in fellowship with God, and that means to obey His commandments (doctrine). We also have a family relationship with God; we are His children. There are several things that go against fellowship and being a child.
1) We must keep the commandments–obedience is required.
2) We must love one another.
3) We must be absolutely clear and certain as to what we believe.
Grasp hold of and contemplate the following verse and relate it to the world in which we live.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
–1 John 4:1 (NASB)
Know that there are different kinds of spirits. There is the Holy Spirit who will guide and comfort us. There are angelic spirits, some of whom we might see and others we might entertain unawares. There are evil spirits and demonic spirits who aid the devil in the war against the Kingdom of God. There is also one more spirit, one that often hinders us, the human spirit. How many times has your spirit interfered with what the Holy Spirit would have you do?
We must, if we want to grow spiritually and survive in this world, maintain a position of scriptural balance. We must not let “experience” hinder sound doctrine. Notice, sound doctrine–doctrine that is Biblical. There must be a balance between fanaticism and intellectualism. Do not let emotions control yet at the same time do not be a cynical and skeptical snob. It is important, especially in today’s church world, that we beware of those who claim unusual authority from God–these people become impatient of sound teaching and doctrine.
Listen, get this down, any experience which is not based upon truth and doctrine is dangerous. I will not question a person’s experience, however, I will question the validity and truth of the experience. There are many who are opposed to theology or they are not interested. How can this be? Theology is the study of God and we are to know Him and become more like Him, therefore, we must be in His Word. Then watch out for those out there who may be “super-spiritual” who are then in reality pseudo-spiritual. They think because of their “status” they do not think they have to try to spirits; they have a form of godliness.