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NASB | Matthew 16:6 And Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 16:6 Jesus said to them, "Watch out and be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." |
Subject: Knocked out by holy spirit |
Bible Note: Yes, Jesus did warn about false teachers.. however, I do think he was primarily warning about those that would teach that Salvation is other than thru the Risen Jesus Christ by grace through faith. ALL of us have flaws in our doctrine. That is a hard statement to swallow, but it is very true. Hopefully the major flaws are in the "fringe" areas, but nonetheless they are most certainly there.. for we all see with imperfection rather than full clarity. How else can those who are truly and genuinely devoted to the Lord and His word be in disagreement? My big concern is that the baby does not get thrown out with the bathwater.. to coin a familar phrase. Just because a ministry becomes prosperous or highly publicized does not disqualify it from being genuine. Those preaching a different Gospel than Christ crucified, our hope of glory certainly does disqualify us. Those seeking personal gain while knowingly using decietfull schemes and manipulations are another group whom shall suffer shame at the time they stand before the Lord. Those causing division among the body of Christ out of pride and self-serving also are on very shaky ground. The ministy of the likes of Benny Hinn, Hagin, etc.. well, I just don't feel comfortable in saying they are not following hard after the Lord in the particular stream of annointing they have been given. (in fact, there was a time where I was so bold as to publicly ridicule Benny Hinn. Within a short time the Lord dealt with me on it in a very supernatural manner, which I will gladly share with you if you are interested. It was a very humbling experience) Oftentimes people came to see Jesus to be healed or see a miracle, and walked away with their Faith built up. A primary job we as believers are duty-bound to perform is to build up one anothers faith through ministry and testimony. The questions we must ask are: 1. Are people's faith being built up in Jesus the Messiah? 2. Our genuine conversions taking place? (It would be very hard to offer proof to the contrary, since I know personally people who have come to the Lord through the vehicle of these people's ministry) 3. Is the God of the bible being given the Glory? (See Acts 3:12-16 for a most wonderful example of how that should look) 4. Is the word of God being preached? There are of course other questions, these are just some of the first to come to my mind. Getting back to the warning about "Depart from me, for I never knew you".. I really don't see how that can apply to these men of God that are being examined in this topic. EVEN IF.. and that is a big IF.. they are in major error on their doctrine regarding healing and blessings, I would be extremely surprised if they are not born-again, Jesus believing, Christians. I have to believe, thru careful examination of the rest of scripture, that Jesus was refering to the likes of those that have no personal relationship with Christ but are just out to fleece the sheep. (I once saw a movie about a "healing evangelest" that worked with spotters in the audience and secret mikes and what not with Steve Martin in it. That would certainly be a type of just such a person.) |