May 15, 2002, Vol.2, No.10.
Two new articles every two weeks.
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us.
THIS ISSUE: "The
Danger of Deception" (see below)
and "Is Jesus God?"
The Danger of Deception
by Keith Sharp
A friend recently asked why good people who are quite knowledgeable
of the Bible believe doctrines that contradict each other. This
is indeed a real and perplexing problem. In the various denominations
there are leaders who have doctorates in theology, whose lives
are free from scandal, who are well versed in Hebrew and Greek,
who have studied in depth all the books of the Bible, yet who
disagree with each other on even the fundamentals of faith. Catholic
theologians teach that the pope is the head of the church, that
church tradition is authoritative, and that sacraments administered
by ordained priests are essential to salvation. Equally learned
Protestant theologians insist the Scriptures alone are authoritative
and salvation is by faith alone. The examples could be multiplied
almost endlessly. Why are learned, apparently sincere people
divided over what the Bible teaches?
The Jewish leaders of the first century, although they were
the greatest scholars of the world in the Old Testament Scriptures,
were nonetheless ignorant of the meaning of the Scriptures (Matthew
9:10-13; 12:7; 22:29; Luke 19:42; 23:34; Acts 3:17; 13:27; Romans
10:1-3). Saul of Tarsus, though he was exceedingly well educated
in the Law (Acts 22:3) and always maintained a good conscience
(Acts 23:1), was nevertheless ignorant (1 Timothy 1:12-13). There
are many religious leaders today who, despite the facts they
are eminently knowledgeable and have clear consciences, are ignorant
of divine truth. How can this be?
 The
vast majority of people don't understand the Bible simply because
they have not studied it. They are similar to Israel of old.
The Lord speaking through the prophet Hosea lamented of Israel,
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea
4:6) People of this category need to be convinced of the importance
of Bible study.
On the other hand, there are many who have studied but failed
to understand. The Master rebuked the Jewish leaders thus:
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think
you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life."
(John 5:39-40)
They studied the Scriptures diligently, but they were unwilling
to accept the saving truth the Word of God taught. They were
therefore ignorant of the most basic of biblical truths, that
Jesus is the Christ the Son of God.
What causes studious, zealously religious people to remain
ignorant of saving truth? Both the Master and His ambassadors
repeatedly warn us not to allow others to deceive us (Matthew
24:4-5; Mark 13:5-6; Luke 21:8; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 15:33; Galatians
6:7; Ephesians 4:14; 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 John 3:7) and
not to deceive ourselves (1 Corinthians 3:18; James 1:22,26).
The simple fact is, myriads of studious, zealous, religious folks
are deceived into believing a lie.
We must beware of the process by which Satan leads us to unbelief.
If we allow it to do so, sin deceives us and hardens us to the
truth (Hebrews 3:13). The process is simple but diabolical. One
goes astray in his heart (Hebrews 3:10,12), he refuse to believe
the truth (Hebrews 3:12,19), he disobeys the Lord (Hebrews 3:18),
and rebels against Him (Hebrews 3:8,15).
From the very beginning people have faced the danger of deception.
Eve was deceived by Satan and sinned (Genesis 3:6; 1 Timothy
5:14). We too can be deceived into sinning (2 Corinthians 11:3).
Deception led the Gentiles to live in gross sin (Ephesians 4:17-24).
But the Jews were also deceived (Titus 3:3). It is not different
today than in past centuries (2 Timothy 3:1,13).
Is there an antidote to prevent deception? Yes, there is one
attitude you can have, and there are two actions you can take
to prevent being deceived.
What is the attitude?
"The coming of the lawless one is according to the
working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and
with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because
they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be
saved." (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)
You must have "the love of the truth."
"Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and
instruction and understanding." (Proverbs 23:22)
What actions can you take?
"Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas
away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the
synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those
in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness,
and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things
were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few
of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men." (Acts
17:10-12).
Being "fair-minded" will lead you to listen to those
who claim to teach divine truth with an open mind and an open
Bible. Be open to learn new truth, but don't let your mind be
a spiritual garbage pail to receive whatever slop false teachers
throw out. Search "the Scriptures daily to find out whether
these things" are "so." Never accept uncritically
what any man, and that includes me, teaches. Test what is said
by the Bible.
"Let no one deceive you with empty words...."
(Ephesians 5:6).
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