Recently I have been troubled by statements that have come from the mouths of those who claim to walk in the spirit.
In many ways, their conversations have changed from happy positive thoughts to what sounds to me like anger, bitterness, and resignation. Maybe it is just a moment of discouragement, or perhaps too much of a focus on the negativity that has become prevalent in our culture, but it has become more apparent to me that values we have held dear in our lives are being swept aside in favor of popular opinion.
I expect it from government and social media, but it has made sweeping changes in lives and ministries of many who at one time had a steadfast heart. I have been hesitant to bring it up because I have also noticed a change from the teachable to spirit to more of a defensive posture when faced with a challenge.
But I find myself wondering, when did it all change? Are you just speaking words because it is what is expected? Or have you changed your position on what is true and what is a lie?
GOD Doesn’t Change
Of a truth, I am certain that most of us can come to agreement in the fact that God does not change. In Malachi 3:6, God states, ‘For I am the Lord, I change not.’ Pretty simple really.
We quote the scripture from our pulpits, ‘Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever’ but do we really let it translate to our own personal lives in a way that cannot be shaken.
The Bible states that in the last days everything that can be shaken will be shaken, but does that mean we are just to set aside the foundations of what we were taught just because it does not fit our current lifestyle or the philosophy of those around us.
TRUTH Doesn’t Change
In Proverbs 23:23, the Bible tells us to ‘Buy the truth and sell it not.’ Now I realize for some that is a hard concept to swallow. Young children were taught from the time they were born to follow after the precepts and laws that their fathers followed. God laid it out in easy to understand phrases, and even the youngest child could understand.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God; Love thy father and mother; thou shall not lie, covet, lie; most of us know the ten commandments to some degree. The words may be a bit different but the meaning is still the same.
And for most, they follow after those precepts. For some, the Lord’s prayer, the 23rd Psalm, and Acts 2:38 are held in high esteem while some of the lesser known scriptures are tossed aside as if they don’t have as much relevance.
Truth is truth. The word does not change, even if we are not aware of it, or have decided not to pay attention to certain parts.
It Is A Different Age
We hear it all the time, how we are living in a more progressive society, our culture has changed, or even perhaps we have a better understanding of the scripture now, than those who have gone before us.
But when did truth change?
Sure we can blame our predecessors; we can say if they really understood what they were talking about; we can say it was a man-made dogma, but for most of it, the scripture is very clear.
It hasn’t changed. Truth is still truth. The Bible is still the foundation of our lives, and if we deviate from its principles, then we are placing our lives, and the lives of those that come after us in jeopardy.
Over the past few weeks I have heard it played out in several topics of discussion that its either man-made theology, that we are judgmental if we do not agree, or even that God is much more understanding than we give him credit.
And while I agree to a certain extent that some might have mixed their own ideas with theology, it doesn’t change the fact that truth is truth. It doesn’t matter if we believe it. It doesn’t matter if we are looked upon as contrary, any aberration in what we have been taught, and what is written in the word, is not us being judgmental, but rather breaking the laws of God.
It Is A Cultural Thing
We try and justify our own personal concepts every day. Many are so adamant that we are right and everyone else is wrong that we will twist the scripture to what we want it to say. Now, right off I know some are thinking that I am agreeing with them in their deviation from what they have been taught.
To the contrary, I am blatantly saying it works both ways. Some have no problem with using scripture to accuse, but then when it goes against what they choose to believe, then it is misunderstood, man’s theology, or just plain being hateful.
The Bible specifically says to train up a child in the way, and when he is old he will not depart from it. In a nutshell this means, ‘teach right from wrong.’ There are some principles of life, that are not written out in black and white and red, but still remain true nonetheless.
No where in the Bible does it say that touching an electrical outlet with your tongue is going to result in a shock, or even worse. Yet it is still truth.
Doesn’t Matter If You Agree
Truth doesn’t need to justify itself. Did you see the blue tie in the photo at the beginning of this article? What can you tell us about the man wearing the blue tie?
You really can’t tell much about him because you do not have enough information. All you know is about the tie.
Isn’t it a lovely shade of blue? It looks good with that suit.
No matter how many times I tell you to check out the tie, it isn’t going to change. It is red tie. It doesn’t matter if I agree, or if it doesn’t fit with what I believe, the truth remains.
Words Become Wisdom
When the Children of Israel entered into the promised land, they were instructed to place memorial stones, one from each tribe beside the river.
When asked by their children what the stones meant, they were to explain about the wilderness journey and the trials and victories that happened along the way. In doing so, the heritage was passed down from one generation to another. In doing so, they also gave their knowledge and wisdom, so that some of the tests they went through would not have to be repeated.
Many times we do not understand the reasoning for why some teach as they do, but when the guidelines they laid out for us were decided upon, they had a reason.
No one questions that it is dangerous to play with matches, to touch a hot stove, or to drink poison. We just don’t do it. Yet, when it comes to principles from the Bible, or knowledge that was gained by our forbearers, we can be very quick to protest and toss it aside.
There is a price to be paid when we toss aside these ‘memorial stones.’ The memorials were there as reminders to not go down that path again, and yet it seems in our generations, we toss it aside because of our own judgment and perceptions. Do you think this is wise?
The generations that came after Moses thought his precepts and rules were only to enslave them, and many of them were tossed aside to what end? Repeating trials that they would not have to go through if they had just listened and complied to truth.
For Our Protection
No, I do not understand the reasoning of some and why we should do this or that. Why is this a sin and that isn’t. We have all been in situations where we don’t comprehend the meanings, but it doesn’t change the truth.
It doesn’t matter whether or not we agree with what we have been taught, or even if we cannot back up every single philosophy with a scripture. It is there for a reason: our protection. We only have to look at society around us to see how removing one principle can completely change our entire lives as we know it.
Our forefathers knew the importance of God in our lives. Someone decided prayer in schools was wrong, and now we have killings in schools, lifestyles that have no merit being forced upon us all, and a government desiring to control our lives in every aspect.
So, when you do not agree with what is being taught, or what might come across your pulpit remember this: unless it deviates from scripture, and ideologies that our parents, grandparents, and those who came before us lived by, then we need to leave it alone. Otherwise, we will see the man with the blue tie, and our lives will be forever altered.
The Bible says that God is coming back for those who look for Him; not for those who have rationalized out what He really meant. What will our answer be if we no longer know what the memorial stones mean?
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. Proverbs 23:23
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
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