The Slow Turn
When Gideon's army knelt at the water hole to drink, those who lapped like dogs were sent home. Those who cupped their hands and drew the water to their mouths won the battle. They represent those who, while being nourished in the Lord, continue to watch. They cannot be taken by surprise. They are vigilant!
The point of this blog is to (help us) verify God's Word and avoid the falsehood or mistranslation that has crept into the church and bypassed the validation system of prayer. Albeit, the above reference about Gideon's army is given about staying alert in the commission of faith and is a reasonable assertion by the author. The message could have inserted a small misnomer and used that misnomer in a subsequent paragraph to supplant a heresy. All too often, an over zealous preacher has given an interpretation that is out of context or distorted the intent of the scriptures by saying more or less about the subject.
More often than not, the Holy Spirit is being shut out of the Christian church, which is looking more like a social club these days. "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths" (2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV). The subtlety and/or trickery of false teachers would make themselves out as the guardians of the faith by exposing, in their opinion, that someone else is the false prophet or the old-time religion is too radical. And therefore, the shadow of doubt is cast on the true messenger of the faith.
The goal of these charlatans is to cause the "slow turn" away from the "straight and narrow." This subtlety has been in the works for several generations and accepted as common or everyday culture by today's educational, entertainment and news media. The deception is to downplay the majesty of God Almighty, administration of the Holy Spirit and authority of God's people. Our trust and faith in the Holy Sprit as the ultimate guide and teacher is being substituted through Alpha type programs, which is shifting our alliance away from God and replacing it with a reliance on personal abilities. And therefore, the slow turn has begun for the next step away. "Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil" (Proverbs 4:27 ESV).
I remember reading a book by Randy Alcorn "Heaven" and noted that this book provided some insight and questionable imagination regarding our early beginning(s) and description of personal relationships in the future. It would seem to me, because I've heard some positive comments about his walk of faith, that this person hasn't questioned some of his early teachers. And yes, I am also in prayer to revisit some Bible knowledge. A few years ago, I was reading Matthew Henry's commentary and noticed that this study was a word-for-word reading and preaching of a gifted teacher. The reflection was that this interpretation was a personal revelation of the prophetess and pastor of the church.
An alarming development in the Christian marketplace is when the book distributors promote a prospective top seller, which may have gone unnoticed without advertising and cooperation from a bookstore. The distributors "purpose driven life" will overstock an up-and-coming author, which has questionable doctrine to satisfy their quest for more sales. And as always, the book will be listed as the latest hot topic, while the undiscerning or novice reader is lead to scripturally unsound beliefs. Therefore, the author and the church congregation of this misguided teacher receives notoriety and expands its influence on a gullible Christian community. Sure enough, an old-time seer or prophet would have voiced: "Woe to you pedlars of greed who'd misrepresent the gospel and turn the people away. Woe to you vipers of dishonest gain." Then again, should not God's people be asking for His guidance concerning the right choice and gift of discernment, which is essential towards our heartiness and spiritual upbringing.
There have been Christian movements based on hypothetical teachings that have, at the time, become predominate in popular view. An example is the "latter rain" teaching of a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit just prior to the rapture. This is a viewpoint that has caused a sleepy attitude in the church on waiting and enjoying life with the expectation, that once the revival begins — the church will awaken to the call of duty. And therefore, the scripture parable about the ten virgins is ignored. Several years ago, I read a book called "A Whisper Revival" and have seen other insights, which would have me consider that a wake-up shock will occur after the rapture. The bride of Christ will be spared from the tribulation and those who remain and reject "the mark of the beast" through perseverance will find themselves as general population in God's kingdom. However, the Bible reference about this subject doesn't state this with the clarity of this blog. The scripture also talks about Israel as Jehovah's wife and should understand more about this during the forthcoming millennium.
Above all, stay focused on Jesus and carry on being spiritually enlightened through the sanctification of God's Word. And when in doubt, have an uneasy feeling or be disconcerted about a particular subject — remove that stray thought by bringing the question to God through prayer: "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 ESV). It is my faith-based anticipation during the coming days to see more signs, miracles and wonders as we continue to walk in His footsteps. And let's trust the Holy Spirit to expose the "slow turn" of deception — as revealed through prayer. Surely, the "mystery of godliness" is extended to everyone who truly have chosen the way and surrendered personal ambition in favour of His glory.
by Glenn Morrison (11)