Category: faith

Once, when a stubborn disputer seemed unconvinced, Lincoln said, “Well, let’s see how many legs has a cow?” “Four, of course,” came the reply disgustedly. “That’s right,” agreed Lincoln. “Now suppose you call the cow’s tail a leg; how many legs would the cow have?” “Why, five, of course,” was the confident reply. “Now, that’s where you’re wrong,” said Lincoln. “Calling a cow’s tail a leg doesn’t make it a leg.” 

Bits & Pieces, July 1991

There seems to be a few different people that say the only thing that we have to pay attention to in the Bible is the New Testament because after Jesus came the New Testament is all that matters. That creates the question that we should always ask ourselves. What Did Jesus Say (WDJS): But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” ^{Matthew 4:4 ESV} Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ^{Hebrews 13:8 ESV} So with these two statements, one from Jesus Himself, we are told that we need His direction and He does not change. So when the statement’s been made that proclaims that we do not have to pay attention to the Old Testament. Understand it is going against the words that came out of the mouth of Jesus.

Another thing to consider; when Jesus was quoting the “Word” it was not the New Testament.  The Old Testament was all that had been written up to that point. So to say that the Old Testament has no validity today is to say that what Jesus quoted was worthless. I know that is a very bold statement, but it is what we are being told and what has been said in the past by some church leaders. I am not knocking any church, but I want you to understand that some well-intentioned people have made statements that do not match the narrative we have been told. Jesus told us: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. ^{Matthew 24:35 ESV} Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” ^{John 7:38 ESV}

John told us: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ^{John 1:1 ESV} And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. _{^{John 1:14 ESV}} Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. ^{John 17:17 ESV}

Paul wrote a letter to Timothy to advise and encourage him. Paul told him: And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. ^{2 Timothy 3:15-17 ESV} Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. ^{2 Timothy 2:15 ESV} Paul also told the Thesilonians: And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. ^{1Thesilonians 2:13 ESV}

Finally, James tells us: Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls .But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ^{James 1:21-22 ESV}

The people listed above knew Jesus while He was on earth. Over and over again; they told us that we need to be familiar with the entire Bible. It’s not just the parts that you like or the verse or chapter that fits what someone wants you to know. Read and know the entire Bible so that you are never deceived. Like I mentioned; these are just a few instances from the New Testament, there are more. When you read the Old Testament, you will see the importance that was put on knowing all scripture as well.

When I was younger and did not read or for that matter understand what the Bible was or what it said, I will also say I am not an old man either. I would be deceived by only hearing what I wanted to hear. I used to entertain statements like Jesus never claimed to be the Messiah. The Bible is just a bunch of stories that give examples for morality. God was an unloving, cruel God that does not care about anyone or anything. There are some that say Jesus was not God in flesh, that the devil and Jesus are brothers, and when Jesus came to earth He gave up His Diety. I’ve even heard one theory that God screwed up making us the first time, destroyed it all, and Adam and Eve is the second try for creating humanity. The list can go on and on.

This all has been created by the devil to make us doubt the word of God. In Ephisions 6:12 we are told: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. It is important to know who, what, and why we are fighting.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for all that You have created. Thank you for the entire Bible and the direction that you give us. It all helps us see life through the eyes You want us to have. Lord; help us understand the message You have for so that we will never be deceived. In Jesus Name Amen

Getting to Know Him

Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE….

Em Griffin in his book The Mindchangers describes an experiment done by Solomon Asch with groups of 12 people. They were brought into a room where four lines of unequal length were displayed. They had to decide which two were the same length and publicly vote for their choice. Person after person after person (11 in all) voted for the wrong line–because they had all been told to ahead of time. The one individual who was in the dark couldn’t imagine how in the world all these seemingly normal people could all choose the wrong line. When it was his turn to vote, he had to decide, “Do I go with what I know my senses are telling me, or do I go with the crowd?” 1/3 of those tested caved in to group pressure and changed their vote to agree with their peers. 

Em Griffin, The Mindchangers, Tyndale House, 1976

There are some that have said that the Bible is used to control people. Honestly, I do not disagree throughout history the bible has actually been used to control people. People are always trying to find ways to manipulate things so they can gain an advantage over others. In the past kingdoms used it to control their people and did some horrendous things that were never acceptable, and it was said to be in the name of Jesus. There are some, even today, that will misinterpret what it says to control whole congregations, some have even rewrote and placed their own tweaks so it kind of looks the same but it is not. When applied through the eyes of man that is exactly what happens. This is a sad reality that so many people have died in the name of God because a human need to control everything. Application is everything.

As you learn the bible more and more you will even see that the devil uses the bible to try and control people. It says he disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Satan is so arrogant that he even tried to use the bible against Jesus when Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:6). So those who say the bible is used to control people, you are correct it can be used that way if you do not know what the bible says. We have been saved by faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9) not by what someone says or does for you. Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). Remember we have freewill (Revelation 3:20) to choose if you want to follow Him but it is important to know the bible so that you are not deceived.

In the Bible we are told My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge ^{Hosea 4:6 ESV} For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. ^{Titus 3:3 ESV} Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” ^{Matthew 11:28-30 ESV}

If you have this lack of knowledge you will be able to be controled by those with bad intentions. There are some that seem to mean well but are deceived themselves. That is why in Hosea 4:6 we are given this bleak warning that there will be some that will be destroyed because of lack of knowledge. I would never want to b the people Jesus refers to in Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘LORD, LORD,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘LORD, LORD, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ I will leave you with a few more quotes from people in our past have lived through some major stuff.

“The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.”

William Shakespeare

“When one with honeyed words but evil mind

Persuades the mob, great woes befall the state.”

Euripides, Orestes

“It’s discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.”

Noël Coward

Getting to Know Him

Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..