I’ve written this post with great love and concern. It contains critical information for your life in this day and age - especially as we move toward the end times in a culture that’s increasingly corrupt and immoral.
Here’s an essential point to keep in mind:
Do not put man on a pedestal.
No pastor or ministry leader deserves to be on a pedestal, but so often that’s what we do. We’re impressed with their knowledge of scripture, their charisma, or their captivating way of speaking and we stick them up on that pedestal way up high.
God intends for us to respect the people he places over us, but he never intended for us to worship them.
Only God himself should be on that throne in our lives. He’s the only one who rightfully deserves that elevated position.
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” Isaiah 118:8
This lesson has been cemented in me through circumstances that have most likely taken years off my life. Trust me when I tell you this is such a critical thing to know and understand in the life of the church and in your life as a Christian.
Many of us blindly believe everything we hear in church without checking it against scripture. If a pastor knows the word of God well, we assume he’s infallible. There’s no way he can have evil in him or ever misuse or misrepresent scripture.
Keep in mind:
Even the demons believe in God. They just don’t want to submit to him. (James 2:18-20)
Satan knows the scriptures very well, but he misused them to try to gain power and exalt himself. (Matthew 4:1-11)
In his letters, Paul consistently warned the Christians in the early church to be on their guard against people who:
Polluted the purity of the gospel, the truth about Christ, and all that he has accomplished for us. (i.e,. early gnostic teachings and Jewish believers clinging to the Law in Collose)
Rebellious people and deceivers; those who taught for dishonest gain; those whose minds and consciences were corrupted; those who claimed to know God but whose actions proved they didn’t have a real relationship with Him. (Titus 1:5-16)
Those who preached false truths about Jesus, and were deceitful workmen masquerading as apostles of Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:1-15)
False prophets and teachers who secretly introduce destructive heresies; deny Christ through their teachings; exploit believers with their made-up stories; follow their own evil desires; are bold and arrogant; blaspheme; carouse and revel in their pleasures; seduce the unstable; are consumed with greed; appeal to lustful desires; and entice people. (2 Peter Chapters 2 & 3)
Godless men who abuse the grace of God using it as a license to keep sinning and living immoral lives; look out only for themselves; grumble and constantly point out faults in others; follow their own evil desires; brag about themselves; are filled with pride; divide Christians; do not have the Holy Spirit or live by its power; and use flattery as a way to get an advantage with people. (Jude)
In these warnings, Paul isn’t talking about people in the secular world. He’s specifically speaking of false teachers and leaders within the walls of the church who claim to be Christians.
Truth is – there’s a way that leads to life, but not everyone’s teaching it.
Several weeks ago, I was in a church where the pastor preached that Jewish people who do not believe in Christ will have eternal life in heaven. Apparently as a Christian pastor, he doesn’t believe Christ is necessary for our salvation. I was shocked.
To safeguard ourselves, it’s imperative to:
- Take personal responsibility to educate ourselves on the truth about Christ.
- Fight earnestly for our personal Christian faith and all it stands for.
The Apostle Paul recommends that you:
- Pray
- Build yourselves up in your faith
- Keep yourself in God’s love
- Deny ungodliness and worldly desires/passions
- Wait anxiously for his mercy
- Be merciful to believers who doubt
- Snatch others from the fire of false teachings, temptation, and corruption.
- Depend on the One who keeps you from stumbling.
Paul prayed believers would have spiritual wisdom and understanding, and that God would fill them with the knowledge of His will. (Colossians 1:9-14) In this way, they could test everything they heard and stay on the path that leads to life. (Romans 12:1-3)
I pray the same for you.
And yes – there are many honorable pastors out there who are truly devoted to Christ. So be encouraged , , , but live with discernment. Keep God in his rightful place.
Thanks for being here. Hope you come back soon. I’ll leave the light on for you.
Lisa~
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