LEARNING DAILY

John 8:31-32, So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Besides continually writing about the narrow way, I write about the importance of reading/studying/meditating on the Bible, God’s Word. This weekend Pastor Ed Newton gave great reasons why this is so important. People believe many things that Jesus said -- things He did not say and believe sayings are from the Bible when that is not true. As a Believer, you need to “abide” or saturate yourself with God’s Word, His truth so you do not believe everything that other people say. As a Believer, you cannot allow yourself to believe what others are saying is truth. Understand the devil wants Believers to believe half-truths. Jesus said, "If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Pastor Newton gave four examples of what might sound good versus what is truth. The first one was, “Follow your heart: ‘Do whatever feels right to you.’” Pastor said, “What feels right may not be. The heart was never made to lead a person; your heart can convince you that sin is something to be desired.” Deception! One’s emotions, desires, and thoughts can cloud your judgment and lead to making poor choices. The Bible emphasizes the depth of sin and is clear about the destructive power it has. Jeremiah 17:9 is clear, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” This is a challenge to reflect on or consider how complex our inner being is and the difficulty of truly understanding our heart. As Believers, we trust God with our heart, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverb 3:5). And “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverb 4:23). These are from the Listener Guide.

The second example Pastor gave was, “God just wants you to be happy: ‘This is the highest goal.’” “Happiness is based on external circumstances; it is connected to following one’s heart” (EN). 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.” God’s will is for each Believer to be sanctified (the process of being set free from sin); it is what happens when the Believer walks the narrow way daily! “God cares more for what you are becoming than you being happy!” (EN). God’s expectation for every Believer is found in 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’" “Because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross of Calvary, God sees you as holy. Your actions need to match what God sees in you.” (EN).  (EN).

The third example of what is believed Jesus said is, “Do not judge; ‘You have no right to tell anyone they are wrong!’” “Our culture has taken this statement and made a principle out of it. It is called moral relativism” (EN). The Bible condemns “hypocritical judgment,” where one does not take the time to find out the facts behind what is being judged. The believer is called to judge all things (1 Corinthians 2:15). This is done to “hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). The test of what you hear, see, or believe must be whether it aligns with God’s Word.

The last example of what people too often believe Jesus said is, “God will never give you more than you can handle: ‘God knows your limits.’” Oh, my goodness – I wonder how many times I have said this! Look at the context of this verse: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (Corinthians 10:13). It is about temptation when it comes to the point of not enduring it anymore. You are in a place you know you should not be, and you ask God for help. Then he provides a way for you to get away from it. Overcoming temptation and sin is possible with God’s help!

Once again, read your Bible! Study it diligently! Meditate on what you read and study so you can apply it to your life as you walk the narrow way each day!