A Little Caution

Before I dig into my thoughts for the day I just wanted to say something about the instant news cycle we live in and how we as Christians should handle it. The news changed almost from minute to minute with the assassination of Charlie Kirk and I know firsthand how hard it is to report on correct information and not the most recent information. While I wrote my transcript I had to go back and rewrite it about 5 times because what I originally wrote was based on new or wrong information. First Kirk was shot, then I saw the video of it and knew immediately there was no way he survived it. But all the reports said they got him to the hospital and they got a pulse. Then there was the man they arrested who said he did it and I got updates about him that were false. It went on and on to the point that right before I streamed I knew that Kirk had died so I quickly rewrote things to reflect that. Even after I streamed more and more updates kept coming in about the shooter and I was tempted to do another stream to report on that. Now we had a shooter in a Mormon church over the weekend and I almost reported on it yesterday, but my spirit told me to wait. For those of you who don’t believe or understand that I am unapologetic about being Pentecostal so if that offends you I get it, but I’m not going to try and defend it unless you ask nicely and really want to know. That being said, I’m glad I did wait. The information I was seeing turned out to be wrong mere hours later. So I caution you as well to give these things at least 24 hours before you form an opinion on them.

Withhold Opinions

I usually know something is off just by the social posts I see popping up on my feeds. People are so quick to post a meme or a comment on something said, heard or seen that is more a kneejerk reaction that fits their particular political, spiritual, or personal bent. While I get the temptation to let others know what we think, it is way too easy to be wrong on the information we know in the moments right after an event or incident occurs. And to compound things, those initial posts aren’t usually changed when the fuller truth is known. Then the algorithms keep sending you more and more incorrect posts or videos to solidify that false impression to the point that many have already made up their minds on it. This isn’t how we should decide what is truth and what isn’t truth. It is ironic that in a day and age where we have access to more information than any previous one we are sadly believing lies and misinformation more than any previous generation. Maybe this explains that in the various Olivet Discourses Jesus peered into the future and warned His disciples then and us now to avoid false prophets and false information:

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. (Matt 24:3-4, NIV)

Jesus warned us no less than 4 times about this so it has to be a major concern for Christians living just before Jesus returns. I’m concerned that the level of discernment needed to live now is sadly lacking.

Even If They Sound Right

The problem is that we use low standards for deciding on what is the truth and what is not. There is a post making the rounds on social media, especially Facebook that people are glomming onto with glowing remarks that concerns me. I have read it more than three times to make sure I’m not missing anything. I may address it specifically at some point but for now it is a good example of someone sounding like they are right when they really aren’t and essentially trying to sound like the reasonable voice in the room on the topic. And if we aren’t careful this person who is a pastor can make it even sound like his view is the Biblical correct one. The problem is that he is using the Bible out of context and even makes statements that are flat out wrong. Even worse are the multitudes of people who are saying he is balanced when his views, although well written, are his views, but not the views of Scripture. I’m ok with someone who gives their interpretation of the Bible but when they make it sound like it is the correct view based on nothing more than their worldview, well I politely need to disagree. This post alludes to the Bible, but the one verse cited is taken out of context. Even when a post or a person quotes the Bible it doesn’t mean that it proves their point. We need to remember that Satan quoted the Bible when tempting Jesus but was rebuffed for not knowing the verses and their real meanings. I mention this not to condemn anyone, just that this antichrist spirit that is bringing a precursor to the strong delusion is only going to get stronger and stronger (see 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11). It will get so bad that even people who were trustworthy in the past must be vetted against Scripture all the time.

They Speak To My Spirit

As I perused the many comments to this post so many mentioned how balanced it was and how it spoke to their spirit. I’m Pentecostal so I know what they should mean, but feelings, no matter how strong or meaningful, must always be checked by the Bible. Always. Period. For me, the proverbial check in my spirit is not to be seen as a message all by itself. It must be supported by the Word of God. It cannot become the basis for beliefs or even doctrine. And in the case of social media posts the Believer can not only be fooled but actually miss what God is really doing simply because it doesn’t comport with our political or social positions. I really believe that God is sending a great move of revival and a great harvest and there will Christians who will miss out on it based on how God sends it. People I’ve worked with side by side with for decades are closing their minds to His moving some only because it is promoted by people they disagree with politically. Let me be very clear on this. God is pouring out His Spirit on all flesh now and Holy Spirit looks on the heart as He does so. If our hearts are beholden to a political party, social constructs or causes that the Bible doesn’t support or is against, regardless of our feelings we must be like Peter and John who said that they will follow God not men. The deception of being swayed by emotions, fine sounding rhetoric or even spiritual feelings will do more harm to His Kingdom plans than we even know.

Another Disclaimer

I’m not looking to win an argument here so if you want to engage in a debate I may just not respond to your comments. And if I gave you a hint as to who I’m referring to, it’s not my intent to smear them or their beliefs. No name calling will be allowed here. I am certain that there are ministers who miss the mark now and then. What I am asking of myself and all of us is to be like the Bereans in Acts 17:

But the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and gladly listened to the message. They searched the Scriptures day by day to check up on Paul and Silas’ statements to see if they were really so. (TLB)

There are two letters sent to the Thessalonians and none to the Bereans. I think it was because the Bereans checked Paul and Silas with the Bible they had and only accepted those teachings that were supported by it. If anyone is off in what they teach no matter how slick and convincing it is we must reject it outright. It might be what we want to hear, but making it a part of our lives and even promoting it as the Gospel truth without doing our sue diligence is becoming the doctrinal scourge of our time. And sadly it is only going to get worse unless we start growing in discernment in kind. In the last days the deceiving spirit will even appear as an angel of light telling us words we want to hear. I pray that I will not fall for that tactic because I am not perfect, far from it. I also pray that we will seek Holy Spirit for wisdom from on high and I know He will give it to me abundantly if I only ask. Even if He tells me things that challenge me and even make me mad or get upset I still must discipline myself to seek His counsel. I ask you to do so as well.