TURNING TRUTH INTO A LIE

How many lies have we been taught by well

meaning preachers and Bible teachers?  Let

me illustrate with a verse we all have heard

many times in our life time.  I will use the 

King James version for this illustration 

because that is the one I have hear most

often.

"But as it is written, Eye hath not 

seen, nor ear heard,  neither have

entered into the heart of man, the

things which God hath prepared

for them that love him."

(1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV)

This usually is followed with a rant

about how we have no concept about

all the wonderful things God has 

in store for us.

But, but, but.  That is not what the 

Scriptures are telling us.  That makes a lie

out of what we have just read.  If we would

not stop at the end of this verse and read 

the rest of it;

"But God hath revealed them

unto us by his Spirit:"

(1 Corinthians 2:10 KJV). 

If our preacher, teacher or friend  would

read the whole thing they would realize 

that though man has not ever even thought

about all the wonderful things God has

prepared, God himself has told us what

these wonderful things are.

Another illustration.

There are at least four very popular teachings

in the Church of today that are out right

heresy.  There is one thing common to each

of these popular doctrines.  They appeal to 

our flesh as more appealing than the truth.

I donate time to a local ministry run by

a great Christian brother in the Lord.

I wish I was doing as much.  But, there

is one of these modern doctrines that he

is very adamant about.  It is one that years

ago I wanted to believe.  But a close 

consideration of the Scriptures shows it

to be false.  There are at least fifteen portions

of Scripture in the New Testament that

actually teach other wise.  But he has to

ignore these in some way to hold his view.

What I am trying to say is, don't take just

one facet or side of a truth and run with it.

Read the WHOLE thing for yourself.

Yes, God appointed both preachers and

teachers.  BUT, take what they say with

a grain of salt until you have read all of

it for yourself and prayed for the guidance

of God's Holy Spirit.

The apostle John sums it up this way;    

"I am writing these things to 

warn you about those who want to 

lead you astray.  But you have re-

ceived the Holy Spirit, and he lives

within you, so you don't need any-

one to teach you what is true.  For

the Spirit teaches you everything

you need to know, and what he 

teaches is true - it is not a lie.  So just

as he has taught you, remain in 

fellowship with Christ."

(1 John 2:26,27 NLT)