August 1998

DON'T Put Your Trust In YOUR PREACHER !
By Mark J. Ward

There are too many people being led astray today by preachers who are teaching error! Some of these teachers are ignorant due to lack of proper study of God's Word. Others are not skillful in the Word, not having matured as they should and cannot rightly divide the Word of Truth. And, still others, sad to say, are just out and out willfully teaching things they know are damnable doctrines that will send folks to hell. I would rather deal with those who are trying to grow properly and are simply "honestly mistaken". But such is not the case in the spiritual warfare the soldier of Christ is engaged in!

Do you believe "hook, line and sinker" EVERYTHING that your "preacher" teaches? I hope not. This would be folly. No matter how nice, how sincere, how earnest, how intelligent, how studious, how zealous, or how mature your preacher may be, don't put your TRUST in HIM. Please note the following passages that relate to this matter.

Acts 17:11 "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

I Corinthians 2:1-9 "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

2 Timothy 2:15-18 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some."

2 Timothy 4:2-5 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."

Titus 1:9 - 2:1 "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. TITUS 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:"

John 14:5,6 "Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

TRUST IN CHRIST

Put your "trust" in Christ Jesus our Saviour! Don't put your confidence in men! ONLY follow men.... in accordance with Paul's inspired (thus GOD'S) instruction in I Corinthians 11:1, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." Men might lead you astray. Men might depart from serving God and disappoint you. Men are fallable and can err. Our souls are too valuable to swallow whatever "your preacher" teaches without searching the scriptures and checking to see if the things being taught and practiced are "so". The proper place would be to hold a preacher to the Standard of God's Word. Always defer to God's Word, rather than man. Note Galatians 1:6-12, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

We are warned to never think of men higher than we ought to, in I Corinthians 4:6, "And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another."

Jesus is the Way! Put all your cares and trust in Him!

Email the Editor at markjward@yahoo.com