the greatest deception

Lately, I have become convinced more than ever before, that the greatest danger in Christianity today is the belief that there is some other authority in addition to the inspired Word of God. False teaching is taking the place of sound doctrine at an alarming rate. Everywhere we turn, we are confronted with false revelations, convoluted theologies, and flat out lies masquerading as truth.
In almost every case it’s because someone has lifted themselves or someone else up in authority equal to or greater than Scripture. Think about it. Every cult is the result of someone believing that they received some revelation in addition to the Bible. Every false teaching is the result of someone coming up with their own prophecy or doctrine and then twisting Scripture around out of context in order to justify it. There are more people running around saying “Thus sayeth the Lord” than you can shake a stick at. Everybody it seems, wants to be a prophet. But the Bible tells us that we are to be discerning, testing every spirit, because many false prophets are in the world. 1John 4:1
Jude 1:8 says “Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties.” Sounds like their visions resulted in rejecting the authority of Scripture.
2Peter 2:1,2 “ But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies… Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;” The truth will be maligned means to slander or defame the Word.
Ezekiel 22:28 "Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' when the LORD has not spoken."
There is only one reliable source of truth. Jesus, praying to the Father said, “Your word is truth.” John 17:17. There is only one source of inspiration. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. “ 2 Tim. 3:16
Inspired means God breathed. He breathed every word of Scripture to the prophets and writers of the Bible. It’s His words and He doesn’t appreciate people putting words in His mouth. John warns in Rev 22:18,19 “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.”
Finally, the Old Testament tells us that a false prophet will be judged by whether or not his words are true. And the punishment for prophesying something that did not come true was stoning to death. Unfortunately, perhaps, we don’t stone false prophets anymore. But we certainly need to be aware that they are out there and as the time grows closer, the Bible says they will increase. Be vigilant, for your adversary the Devil goes about like a roaring lion seeking who he can devour. And Satan is a master at making a lie look like the truth.
October 10 is our last service on the beach this season. We hope you will join us if you can as we study God’s word. Of course, we will also be continuing all winter indoors in the octagonal building in the Christian Conference Center behind the playground.