Some preachers and teachers are offended if you don’t follow them
I run into them often
They have developed their own solidified doctrine
which is from the word of God, but with their interpretation
My litmus test: Is Jesus the center?
Many preachers have solidified doctrine
that includes the scriptures
and has resolutions,
some of light,
some of darkness,
some of only grace,
some of damnation if you don’t do this or that
when they think you should
They have pat answers
Jesus’ words give life
They bring healing to our bones
or correction when needed
Sometimes it is difficult to see the truth
because they, too, use the word of God
but there is often no life in their rigid rules
Look for Jesus in their message
Are they pointing you to Jesus or their specific doctrine?
The other red flag is if
they are liberating or inhibiting your relationship with God
and want you to follow them
rather than God
They want to be the intermediary,
for you to come to them with your questions,
rather than to God,
Telling you that they know more than you do
If they are not leading you to Jesus,
the water of the Word,
that you may replenish yourself with the Lord’s Word,
then find a teacher who is encouraging your relationship with Jesus
not one requiring you to use their teachings as the answer
We all need to seek the Lord with our whole heart,
whether we are a new Christian
or one who has been following for a long time
Whether we are a pastor, a teacher or any other leader,
our teaching should lead people to Christ,
to help them further their relationships to Him
to encourage them to hear from Him
to help draw them to the well
where they can drink the living water
Man’s doctrine can sound so righteous
but there is no liberty in it
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty
This is not a liberty of the world I am speaking of
But a liberty that lets you know you have heard the truth
and have learned more about Jesus,
a truth that draws you closer to Him
Jesus is an all consuming fire
He envelopes those who seek Him
The more you know,
the more you want to know,
the more you understand His word,
the more you want it to become a part of you
Once you taste and see that the Lord is good,
there is no going back
You find out what He is looking for in you,
how you can use your talents,
how you can share the gospel,
how you can help others to learn about Him
You will even find the many whys you were created
Your walk with Him will not be dull
it will be in fullness of joy and riches of the kingdom
Look for those gems each day
in God’s word as revealed to you by His Holy Spirit
Those are gifts He has for you, for us
We will never have it all figured out on our own
We will always need Him and more so as we see the day drawing near
settle on no man’s doctrine
No matter how profound it may sound
or how smart they are
Follow Jesus and you will never be led astray
Scriptural References:
And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth. 1 Kings 17:24
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Psalm 85:10
Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. Psalm 86:11
Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. Psalm 96:13
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:10
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:18
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2 Corinthians 3:17
For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29