Unlimited: Beware of the Religious Teachers
Jun 21, 2024 2582
As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces,and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets.They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely” (Mark 12:38–40, NIV).
As Jesus taught the religious leaders – the teachers of the law – listened. Everyone saw them.
But Jesus wasn’t afraid.
What Jesus said here is a lesson for all time. We must be careful of religious leaders who pretend to be righteous, but instead go around doing evil. It doesn’t matter how they might justify their deeds, or how self-deluded they may be, we must beware of them.
There have been many religious people like this throughout history. Just think for a moment about the persecution, exploitation, and abuse that has taken place in the name of religion.
Don’t be fooled by simply following what any religious leader says, whether in a book, on TV, or online, until you’ve checked it out for yourself in the Word of God.
Similarly, don’t simply accept what any organisation tells you as being true, unless you have understood for yourself that it agrees with the principles that Jesus lived out and taught.
The only way to protect yourself against false religious leaders is for your first allegiance to be to Jesus Christ and to his Word. If that is where you stand then you won’t be misled, and you won’t be disappointed when the hypocrisy of these people is exposed.
– Eliezer Gonzalez
Eli’s Reflection: So, what are you doing every day to stay close to Jesus, and to learn more from the Word of God? Is this part of your daily routine? What changes do you need to make to make sure that it is? Knowing God’s Word is a protection against lies and false teachings.
Thian BC
Jun 21, 2024
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. ” Isaiah 8:20 KJV “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God.” (1 John 4:1,2) “Beware of false prophets [...] by their fruits you will know them.“ (Mat 7:15, 20) The above three tests can be apply to all who teach, preach and writers of books and their articles.
Ketchakah
Jan 23, 2024
THIS, is incredibly important. (((Don’t be fooled by simply following what any religious leader says, whether in a book, on TV, or online, until you’ve checked it out for yourself in the Word of God.))) (((Similarly, don’t simply accept what any organization tells you as being true, unless you have understood for yourself that it agrees with the principles that Jesus lived out and taught. We must always allow God to tell us the meanings and lessons of scripture. ))) Thank you for posting this. We MUST always allow the Spirit of God to explain to us the meanings of scripture and not the opinions of men even if they are leaders. A good leader. . .leads, not dictates. Opinions are fine, as long as they are taken as such. Ahoh
JASON ANDREW TOPPIN
Mar 10, 2021
GID CARES FOR ME
Theresa Josiah
Mar 10, 2021
Thanks Eliezer for todays reflection. It is so hard to always set time out only for the Lord and his word. We are always preoccupied with the work of the Lord and forget the Lord of the work. May we be always atemptive to what he is saying to us in his word and know what his will holds for us to be safe from false teachings.
Jane
Jun 21, 2024
Believe it, it is true. I have encountered them. They almost destroyed me. BUT God. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Father God. They didn't count on You and Your love of me.