The results would be disastrous. Have you ever entertained the notion of releasing captive zoo animals back into the wild? Recent studies have shown this is not only disastrous but unethical. Most zoo animals are born into captivity, and when released back into the wild they do not cope and die. Many starve to death because they have not learned how to hunt. Zoo-raised predators also underperform socially in the wild and do not reproduce, nor do they enjoy the protection of a pack. Most importantly, they are not discerning of their enemies, often displaying a lack of fear of large carnivores and they do not have the experience to defend themselves. Not surprisingly, they are often shot or poisoned because they are too trusting of human activity.
Taken out of their natural element, these captive-born animals lose their innate skills, senses and behavioral attributes. Likewise, when the Church becomes unmoored from the Word of God, lacking knowledge of the truths of God, and lacking discernment on spiritual matters, then they are more vulnerable and susceptible to the wiles of our adversary. Deception is very definitely here today, it is not only in the world, it is in the Church.
What we have been taught and led to believe from the Bible is now under open attack. The truths which we have long embraced from Scripture are now in the crosshairs of society and the world-at-large.
This latter-day deception in the Church is also a direct byproduct of a lack of knowledge and Scriptural illiteracy. Many Christians today simply do not spend any time studying their Bibles and, as a result, are open to deception and become prey of wolves in sheep’s clothing. They are tossed back and forth with every wind of doctrine that comes along. Satan is crafty and subtle in the way he deceives and today his efforts to deceive are intensified against the Church targeted specifically to undermine the truths of the Bible.
As just one example, simple questions today with your children about the difference between a man and a woman can invite a whole host of answers that never before would have been considered…”assignment of gender as a social construct…differences based on biased societies???”
“And Jesus answered them and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Matthew 24:4) In these last days, we need to hear this passage loudly. Throughout the New Testament we are warned by Jesus and His apostles about being deceived.
“Let no man deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:6-11)
Although I am not in agreement with him on all issues, this quote from John MacArthur is powerful:
“…truth itself does not change just because our point of view does. As we mature in our ability to perceive truth, truth itself remains fixed. Our duty is to conform all our thoughts to the truth, we are not entitled to redefine “truth” to fit it to our own personal viewpoints, preferences, or desires. We must not ignore or discard selected truths just because we might find them hard to receive or difficult to believe. Above all, we can’t get apathetic or lazy about the truth when the price of understanding or defending the truth turns out to be demanding or costly.” (John MacArthur, quoted in The Truth War)
Many Christians today find themselves embracing the spirit of this world that is steadily turning and twisting Biblical truth into a lie. We must understand that there is a major price to be paid when we choose deception over the truth of God’s word. God has established the boundaries of truth and we must stay firm within those boundaries. When we depart from established truth, we are setting ourselves up for spiritual destruction.
“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools….Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator…” (Romans 1:22,25)
We have a rebellion against God’s truth today.
Sadly, many in the Church today are Scripturally illiterate. Genuine Bible studies are now hard to find in many churches, instead topical studies dominate. They know their favorite football team’s record and stats, favorite celebrities, songs, enamored with emojis and memes, social media…but they don’t know anything about the Bible. And because they don’t know, they are open to deception.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2nd Timothy 4:3-4)
Our faith comes from hearing the Word of God. Today, the Church has become bashful about God’s word. We can’t become bashful, we must preach it and proclaim the truth. Powerlessness has come in part to some, because the name of Jesus Christ has been avoided by so many Christians today.
I am absolutely convinced that the reestablishment of the PREEMINENCE OF GOD’S WORD is paramount for the Church in these days.
There are many pastors, evangelists, youth ministers and teachers who are subscribers to this blog. I hope and pray that you will not stop preaching the Word as you have been called to do. The Church needs a strong Word in these latter days. If you are making your congregation squirm and uncomfortable from time to time, then that may very well be a good thing.
Lastly, I have often heard that Millennials are “unreachable” for the Gospel, and that is a lie! Many of my generation (baby boomers) have shied away from sharing their personal testimony of Jesus Christ with this age group because they are uncomfortable with them socially. Not only is this wrong and bearing horrible outcomes (check Pew Research data) but, despite the fact that as a generation they are bombarded with information and technological distractions like no other, they are very definitely seeking genuine truth and they want to hear it. And they are seeking and desiring community. The Millennials are very definitely “reachable” for the Gospel, just as any prior generation.
As Paul imparts this to Timothy, so I share the instruction:
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1st Timothy 4:11-16)
(Burdened for this message, many sources to cite: Don Perkins, Terry James, Jan Markell, Bud Hancock, Geri Ungurean, John MacArthur, Steve Quayle)