Don’t put all your trust in things that fail. So many people look righteous on the outside but on the inside are full of deceit. If you are to trust a man of God than also see how their words and lifestyle stack up with the Word of God. Don’t just take every word as gold but compare and contrast their teachings with what the Bible teaches. It would be a terrible thing to live and die in a faith that didn’t save. Oh how terrifying it would be to go before the Lord God in judgement and to be found unworthy. Then to hear Him say, 3“I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity,” would leave a person heartbroken forever. John taught, 6“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” Don’t be deceived into believing religious teachings that will not save you. If their doctrines are not in line with scripture but people still believe in it, because of tradition, then they will be judged accordingly. What every religion has in common is the Bible. If a person is so proud as to not compare church doctrines and teachings with the Bible then they are only deceiving themselves. 2God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet. It is our guide. We can know the truth of God through every word. Trust in God over doctrines of men. Make sure your feet is on solid ground and 3“founded upon a rock”.
Because of the vast amount of churches, now a days, check their doctrines and teachings with the Bible. Just like the scribes and Pharisees, many churches have their own traditions, even though it goes against God’s commandments. The people in Jesus’s time are much like our own. To every person that is only religious on the outside, the Lord is calling them out. 4“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” People are hypocrites if they teach one thing and live another way. This is not of God but of Satan. I’ve talked to people that go to specific churches that suit their beliefs on homosexuality being correct. Instead of letting the Word of God cut them to the heart, they rather let people tickle their ears. Another person, I met, goes to the Mormon church because of their belief in eternal marriage and families in heaven. 5Though the Bible teaches that there is no marriage in heaven, he’d rather keep believing this way because it makes him feel good inside. Jesus speaks to all people living in this fashion. He said 4“in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” It is better to denounce a false religion, for Jesus, and be saved in heaven than to continue believing and be thrown into hell. Jesus is the only way to heaven. Abide in His teachings for salvation. 1“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.” Search out things, with God, and you shall be blessed.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, let us not be deceived. Let not the religious traditions sway us into following false doctrines. Keep us from following a religion that is corrupt in its teachings. Let us be able to spot those churches and people that trust in man over God. Lord, Your words are enough for me to know the truth. You are my rock and my fortress. I will not be moved, in my faith, to follow the doctrines of men. You are my guide and will lead me into safe harbors. You would never lead me into believing something that isn’t true. You would never mask part of the Word of God as to deceive people into following dark paths. The Holy Spirit confirms that all of Your words are true. I can take what the Bible says as a roadmap. If anyone comes with another gospel I will not be deceived. I pray that anyone on a broad road to destruction would repent. Help them admit that they are lost and need a Savior. Prompt them to read the Bible, that they may know the truth of God. The Word of God will make known the false teachings of men. Thank You for leading me on your straight and narrow gate to heaven. My eyes have been opened. I trust in You above all things. I believe in You for salvation. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Psalm 62:1-12 (KJV)
1 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
3 How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.
4 They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.
2Psalm 119:103-105 (KJV)
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
3Matthew 7:13,14,21-29 (KJV)
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
4Matthew 15:1-9 (KJV)
1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
5Matthew 22:23-32 (KJV)
23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
27 And last of all the woman died also.
28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
62 John 1:9-11 (KJV)
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
