Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Have you looked at what you're being handed?

     In recent years I've often said that one of the most difficult things in life is to try to give someone something they think they already have.  I know this because I lived most of my life thinking I had something that I didn't, and it wasn't until life came crashing down on me that I realized that what I had wasn't what I thought it was.  If you already know the answer (or think you know it), then what will make you accept it from someone else.

     In our journey here on earth we are bombarded with stories, things, history, education, ideas & opinions in the hopes that we will simply accept what we're handed.  Everyday we're faced with decisions to accept something whether it is good or bad, new or old, tangible or intangible.  However, only a few really stop to look over what it is that's being offered.
How do you know that what you're being handed is authentic?  Is it possible that it could actually be a counterfeit?  Or is it truly worthy of holding onto?  Few dare to resist simply taking everything at face value, but only a few. They dig, prod, push back & kick it around to see if it is acceptable. Its been said that anything worth anything must be tested.  In fact, as followers of Jesus we're instructed to be careful with what others want to place in our hands (or our minds). 1 John 4:1 says, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world".

     Accepting something fake like a dollar bill or a piece of glass that we thought was a diamond may not effect your health or well being, but it will your bank account.  But when it comes to biblical teachings, truths, & doctrines, what we accept & believe could actually lead us right into Hell.

     These are perilous times that we live in & many have given themselves over to the "tickling of the ears" and "doctrines of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1;  2 Timothy 4:3). I believe one of the reasons this is true is because they were handed something without heeding the Lord's warning to test it.  If there's ever been a more important time that the disciples of Jesus needed to study the Bible for themselves, it's now! Satan is ready and more than willing to give you a counterfeit. Will you accept it?  Or will you dare to test it with the word of God?

     We'll be discussing some of the "things we've been handed" in upcoming posts.  Thanks for dropping in & may the spirit of truth lead you into all truth (John 16:13).


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