Thursday, 31 October 2024
“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” – II Corinthians 11:3-4 NKJV
One of my favourite types of content to consume, are those NDE’s (near death experience) stories, and spiritual / religious conspiracy theories. Although those seasons come and go, with me, when I’m in I’m IN, and I analyse them thoroughly. What I’ve often noticed with some of these people and their spiritual experiences and supernatural encounters, is that some of them come back with information that does not in any way align with the Word of GOD in the Bible, or what GOD says is truth. If anything, some push a very New Age agenda of “the universe” being source or a very dark view of what happens to people who die having done the pettiest of petty things while on earth. Which then for me begs the question , WHO was the source of that particular supernatural encounter? Worse still, when the same people go around claiming to be speaking on behalf of GOD and building a doctrine around their experience.
We already know that the enemy is well able to manipulate dreams and visions, and is also well capable of manipulating what a person’s supposed “after life” experience could be. After all, he copies, perverts and manipulates all things that come from GOD. This is why as Believers we are encouraged to rightly divide the word of truth, 2 Timothy 2:15, so as to not fall for every and any new doctrine that comes from people. If what someone has to say does not align with the Word of GOD or goes completely against who GOD is, then it cannot come from GOD. GOD is not a GOD of confusion, nor does He go against His own Word.
“There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid [of GOD’s judgment] is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of GOD’s love].” - 1 John 4:18 AMP. A message that brings fear and shame on people is absolutely not the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that, “For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16 NKJV.
Why then would the same GOD who did not spare His Son also gloat at the thought of His people burning in hell for eternity.
GOD is love, and perfect love casts out fear. It is His eternal promise to us that nothing “nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of GOD which is in Christ Jesus our LORD.” - Romans 8:39 NKJV. This is the gospel we are called to not only preach, but also believe. Personally, I view all these new doctrines as an opportunity to grow in the WORD of GOD and in our relationship with Christ. We are living in the final days and Jesus did warn us that in these last days, all sorts of weird and wonderful things would happen. But we as Believers should always be alert and ready, in and out of season.
This is why as Believers we are encouraged to rightly divide the word of truth, 2 Timothy 2:15, so as to not fall for every and any new doctrine built on people’s personal beliefs or experiences.
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