Falling for false teachers ∙∙

Falling for false teachers ∙∙

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling. Jude 1:24

Jude 1:24-25 

 24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.

 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.

In  the 19th century, political mudslinging and character assassination were prominent in political campaigns. Complete lies and total fabrications were disseminated as if they were accurate facts.

Various popular forms of 20th-century mass communication, such as TV and newspapers, permitted incorrect information to get out and rapidly spread to the public. For example, the Chicago Tribune’s infamous 1948 headline “Dewey Defeats Truman.”

The 1950s and 1960s were rife with political propaganda. In the 21st century, with the rise and proliferation of the Internet and social media, misinformation, disinformation, and “Fake News” have come into their own.

Misinformation is false or inaccurate information that is spread regardless of whether there is intent to mislead. Misinformation includes false rumors, unsubstantiated claims and “facts,” insults, and even pranks.

Disinformation is false information deliberately spread to deceive and damage credibility. It includes malicious content such as smear tactics, character assassinations, slander, and outright prevarications. It misrepresents opposing points of view. It offers negative, misleading, and often hateful media coverage.

“Fake News” has come to the front. It presents inaccurate reporting and fabricated information. “Fake News” may have begun as a slanted interpretation of the facts. But these “facts” have taken on a life of their own.

In the first century A.D., “Fake News,” propaganda, and disinformation came under the umbrella of false teaching, heresy, and apostasy.

The goal of false teaching is to mislead, confuse, sidetrack, shipwreck, and entangle people. The children of the King are often targeted to dissuade them from their quest to know Him and His truth.

How do we counter this continuous barrage of disinformation?

The Scriptures have provided actionable intelligence regarding this threat. The Father offers countermeasures and counterstrategies to fight this war for thoughts and minds.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 

 3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do.

 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.

There are two main objectives: believe and fill.

The first action is to receive a fabulous gift. We have been given a marvelous promise. We have only to believe it, making it our own. The Father’s promises are like having money deposited in a bank account. It is there for us. All we have to do is write the check.

Jude 1:24 [The Father] is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy.

Of what is the Father capable? How much ability does He have? Is He willing to exercise His power on our behalf?

The Father is omnipotent, that is, all-powerful. Whatever power is required, He is more than sufficient to provide. He is adept and able. But what is of greater importance to His children is that He earnestly desires to protect all of those that are His.

REFLECT & PRAY

Our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us (Daniel 3:17).

Father thank You for Your amazing promise to keep me stable. Encourage me to meditate and memorize Your word.

INSIGHT

The Father is to be acknowledged, praised, and worshiped for His ability and desire to keep the children of the King secure.

Romans 16:25 Now to Him who is able to establish you [make you strong] according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ . . .

The Father provided a strong foundation upon which we are to take our stand. He strengthens us to do so. Nothing and no one can shake or crack this foundation. It is earthquake-proof. It provides a mighty fortress for the faithful.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who can do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

Dream the impossible dream. Seek the unattainable. The Father can do far more than we can ask or think. The only limitations are absurd things that cannot be done. For example, creating a square circle. The Father’s resources can never be exhausted.

Nothing is impossible when His dreams and aspirations become our dreams.

The Scriptures are the food of faith. We fill ourselves with the truth and the sound doctrine they provide. Those who are mature in the faith, study, learn, and practice the accurate information provided in the Word of God. A keen sense of awareness and discernment develops. This prevents them from being tripped up and falling for the toxic deception of false teachers.

Hebrews 5:14 Solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil [right and wrong].

Psalms 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalms 119:9 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.

The Father can keep each child of the King blameless. The Greek word translated as blameless is amomos. This term referred to Old Testament sacrifices that were unblemished, having no defect or spot. They were without fault and satisfied the righteous requirements of the law.

As we fill our hearts and minds with Scripture, the promise of the Father is realized in us. When we are filled with accurate information, what room is left for inaccurate information?

Whenever false teachers go on the attack and threaten us with their deceptions and “Fake News,” we are safe and secure. Because we are in our Father’s hands, we are enabled to remain faithful until the end. There may be a few missteps and stumbles, but the Father keeps His children from being hurled down.

Psalms 37:24 Even if he trips, he will not fall headlong, for the LORD holds his hand.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 2-13-1

© Dr. H 2023