False Teachings Archives - My Manna

The Gospel of Greed

MyManna — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 22:00:25 +0000

“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” (2 Peter 2:1-3).
Jesus tells us that one of the “signs” His coming is-
– an increase in false prophets.
That is surely true in our day.
We hear about the Health and Wealth Gospel or Prosperity Theology-
– and the thousands of preachers saying you give to God in order to get.
Or, if you really pray hard enough-
God will heal your disease.
Give money to this or that ministry and you’ll get rich.
It’s this false idea that God won’t let you suffer and wants you to be rich.
It really should be called The Gospel of Greed.
It is false teaching that has permeated the church.
It’s taking a certain passage of scripture and building your whole life around it-
– while ignoring all other kinds of passages that give us the full picture of God’s truth.
So, how can you keep from being deceived by a false prophet or leader?
The key is in knowing Jesus and His Word.
Then ask the question:
Is what this person saying consistent with Jesus and His Word?
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26).
If you are a Christian-
– you have an added bonus:
The Holy Spirit that dwells in you teaches you how to understand the Word-
– and gives you a check in your spirit when something doesn’t ring true.
Christians!
It’s time to be careful!
(PA)

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Crumbling Edge

MyManna — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 22:00:32 +0000

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.” Romans 16:17.
Africa’s Victoria Falls produces a cloud of mist that is often heavy enough to impair visibility.

Once a man was walking the path that skirts the giant gorge, and he noticed a sign on the rim but could not make it out.

Not wanting to miss whatever it might be noting, he slithered and slid through the mud out to the very brink only to read the message:
“Danger! Crumbling Edge!”

As Christians, it can sometimes be easy to unwittingly miss the danger you’re in until you’ve gone too far.

This is especially true when it comes to right and wrong ideas of God.

You flip through the channels on TV at night and come across a preacher whose message sounds great at the beginning.

But when you really understand the kind of Gospel he’s preaching, you realize it may be very different from what the Bible teaches.
Sadly, many once-faithful followers of Christ have built their house on this “crumbling edge” of mistaken faith, and their whole spiritual life has fallen out from under them because they forgot to stand on the high ground of biblical truth.
So if you find yourself tempted to walk out into the heavy mist of dangerous doctrine where things may not seem as they should, watch out for the warning signs!

Stay grounded in the truth of Scripture.

Recognize when what’s being taught is not what the Bible teaches.

When you do that, you can be sure you’ll build your faith on the solid rock of good doctrine and not on the crumbling edge of bad theology.
Ask God to give you wisdom to discern between biblical and unbiblical teaching.

And when you do hear false doctrine, flee from it and cling to the truth of the Bible!

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Trap!

MyManna — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 21:00:17 +0000

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
Nature provides us with an illustration-
– that closely parallels the insidious tactics employed by our adversary.
According to scientists-
Artic polar bears feed almost entirely on seals.
To enjoy such a meal, they sometimes resort to a cunning bit of trickery.
If the hole through which the seal gets his food is near the edge of the ice-
– the polar bear will take a deep breath and swim under water to its exact location.
Remaining below the surface-
– he will then make a tiny scratching sound, imitating a fish.
When the charmed seal hears this, he dives in for a quick supper-
– only to find himself suddenly entrapped in the huge, hungry embrace of his predator.
God has sent us forth as sheep among the wolves.
There are so many theories disguising themselves as godly.
We’re hungry for that meal.
But we must be wise enough to make sure it’s not a trap!
Keep reading and studying the Word of God!
Pray and ask Him to reveal His truth.
The enemy loves to tempt us with a ‘treat’ so he can devour us!
Don’t take anyone’s word but God’s!
(PR)

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The Gospel of Greed

MyManna — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 16:00:04 +0000

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Validating a ministry

MyManna — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 16:00:24 +0000

Monday, 28 December 2015

“There will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves” (2 Peter 2:1).
What comes to mind when you hear the terms false prophets and false teachers?
Many people tend to thing of-
– Eastern mystics and gurus,
– the spokespersons for non-biblical religions or
– dynamic cult leaders…
– people who are recognizably outside the boundaries of the Christian church.
But the apostle Peter devoted an entire chapter in one of his letters (2 Peter 2) to false prophets and teachers who operate within the church.
False teachers may operate in our churches disguised as workers of righteousness.
Notice that the lure of false teachers is not primarily their doctrine:
“And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned” (v 2).
What does Peter mean by “follow their sensuality”?
He is talking about Christians who evaluate a ministry-
– based on the outward appearance and charm of its leaders.
They say:
“He’s such a nice guy”;
“She’s a very charismatic person”;
“He’s a real dynamic speaker”;
“She’s so sweet and sounds so sincere.”
But is physical attractiveness or a syrupy personality a biblical criterion for validating a ministry or a teacher?
Of course not!
The issue is always truth and righteousness .
A Christian leader should be identified by-
– his commitment to the truth, the Word of God,
– his righteous and holy life, and
– his servant’s heart and simple life style.
“Dear God, keep me from playing to the grandstand; I want only to live for You. Keep me accountable as a person of truth, righteousness, and love, ever fearful of discrediting Your name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
(PR)

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