The Believer's Security System

[Chad]

The Believer's Security System
Charles Stanley

2 Peter 2:18-21

While every child of God has a built-in "spiritual security system," some Christians are far more vulnerable than others to spiritual predators. False teachers, or "wolves in sheep's clothing," will seek out young and immature believers and exploit their ignorance. The wolves also hunt down people with unresolved guilt in an effort to salve their consciences with false remedies. Anyone who fails to confess and forsake sin according to Scripture remains highly susceptible to the Enemy's trickery.

Another group of people at risk of seduction are those who have gained a head knowledge of Jesus and religious practices but have not followed through in genuine discipleship. They may be church members and they may even be baptized, but something is missing. They have no root in true godliness and end up entangled in a worse state than before.

Fortunately, the believer is equipped to avoid these potholes. We have a security system designed to protect us if we keep it well tuned. First and foremost, we have to continually saturate our minds with God's Truth. In so doing, we will eventually develop a mental grid that reacts in alarm when something false comes our way. In this manner, we become rooted and grounded in the truth.

Along with exposure to Scripture, we must learn to personally know and listen to the Holy Spirit. He enables us to have a discerning spirit, and He will educate our conscience to provide timely warnings when we start down the wrong path. We can escape the snares of the Devil and rest secure in Jesus.

 

[paganmystic]

Thank you Chad

Peter really witnessed well in this one, section title, "People Who Do Not Teach The Truth," isn't that the truth. What is good about 2 Peter is in the being he opens with; "Live Like God," How many Gospel entries does he bear witness to. Let's just say many. Matthew 5:18-20, especially verse 19. This is also supported by Luke in Luke 16:16-17. There is the parable of the sower and four types of ground, Mark 4:13-20, I'll stop with Matthew 12:33-37 "Your Life Shows Who You Are", but the list continues.

Chad you hit it on the head, many people I have talked to heard sermons that made them feel uncomfortable, like they were being lead the wrong way and assumed it was them. The truth is if you have the Spirit in you, it is the Spirit that give you those feeling of comfort and discomfort. That is what should be first, after the service go home, pray and open the bible to verify if the sermon or yourself is wrong, again this is the function of the Spirit in our lives. John 14:15-31 & John 16:5-20. We as Christians are also not gullible because Jesus gave us a voice, "People Who Won't Listen", Matthew 11:20-24. This was also discussed when Jesus sent his disciples into Judea. Those that refuse you entry or won't listen to you about me, kick the sand off your sandals at their door, or in their presences and they will be marked for Jesus to deal with them in his time.

We need not be alone in the Spirit true Christians are all one and one with the Lord.

 

[Logos57]

Amen Chad and paganmystic great lesson(s) given. Sorry paganmystic but I never thought I would ever say Amen to anything than follow it up with the word paganmystic.