Good morning -
I'm a bit of a skeptic. I often am suspicious of what I see and hear and wonder what's really behind it. That which is designed to look appealing and beneficial to me may be far more beneficial to someone else.
I wish the truth were otherwise, but this scenario is too common in Christianity. Some mega churches and televangelists promise spiritual and material benefits through support of their ministries while the greatest recipient of the 'blessing' is themselves. Truth be told, there is no church, pastor, church leader, or christian who is immune to operating from misguided motives.
God, speaking through Jeremiah, conveyed a promise to those who would sincerely seek Him:
"Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding." (Jeremiah 3:15)
In seeking to know and grow in the Lord it's important that we seek out the help and teaching of those who are "after My own heart". It takes time to know those whom we trust to lead and instruct us but the fruit of their lives is eventually evident. As Jesus said, "you will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:20). When it becomes clear to us that the "fruit" is wholesome and good we can be assured that they will "feed you on knowledge and understanding."
Being a bit of a skeptic is not necessarily bad; the Apostle Paul encouraged it: "Now these (in Berea) were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11). His message is that we should not trust our teachers and leaders until they have proven to be trustworthy. He calls us to "be a Berean".
It's important in life that we be discerning with the information that we choose to receive. Secular news and media may be biased for their gain and benefit, as can churches and ministries. Determining motivation is key in safeguarding against error.
A greater degree of skepticism by followers of Christ could have prevented some of the major errors in understanding over the past 2,000 years. Careful discernment is the only safeguard that any generation of disciples has against error.
A friend once commented that people are discerning in most areas of life (insurance policies, warranties, etc), but are alarmingly non-discerning in areas of biblical teaching. His challenge was to "think like mad" when in church, or reading christian literature, or listening and watching chistian media.
Be a bit of a skeptic; your spiritual life and vitality literally depends on it.
Seeking understanding through discernment,
Pastor Steve
I'm a bit of a skeptic. I often am suspicious of what I see and hear and wonder what's really behind it. That which is designed to look appealing and beneficial to me may be far more beneficial to someone else.
I wish the truth were otherwise, but this scenario is too common in Christianity. Some mega churches and televangelists promise spiritual and material benefits through support of their ministries while the greatest recipient of the 'blessing' is themselves. Truth be told, there is no church, pastor, church leader, or christian who is immune to operating from misguided motives.
God, speaking through Jeremiah, conveyed a promise to those who would sincerely seek Him:
"Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding." (Jeremiah 3:15)
In seeking to know and grow in the Lord it's important that we seek out the help and teaching of those who are "after My own heart". It takes time to know those whom we trust to lead and instruct us but the fruit of their lives is eventually evident. As Jesus said, "you will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:20). When it becomes clear to us that the "fruit" is wholesome and good we can be assured that they will "feed you on knowledge and understanding."
Being a bit of a skeptic is not necessarily bad; the Apostle Paul encouraged it: "Now these (in Berea) were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11). His message is that we should not trust our teachers and leaders until they have proven to be trustworthy. He calls us to "be a Berean".
It's important in life that we be discerning with the information that we choose to receive. Secular news and media may be biased for their gain and benefit, as can churches and ministries. Determining motivation is key in safeguarding against error.
A greater degree of skepticism by followers of Christ could have prevented some of the major errors in understanding over the past 2,000 years. Careful discernment is the only safeguard that any generation of disciples has against error.
A friend once commented that people are discerning in most areas of life (insurance policies, warranties, etc), but are alarmingly non-discerning in areas of biblical teaching. His challenge was to "think like mad" when in church, or reading christian literature, or listening and watching chistian media.
Be a bit of a skeptic; your spiritual life and vitality literally depends on it.
Seeking understanding through discernment,
Pastor Steve
posted by steve @ 10:44 AM
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