The Word of God is True– Regardless!
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When the Bible is misrepresented, that is no reason for us to throw away our faith! The Word of God is true– regardless! As we search the scriptures for truth through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we must remain humble in God’s love. Pray for spiritual leaders that have failed and forgive them as Jesus Christ has forgiven us. But never be ashamed of the Word of God because Jesus is the Word (John 1:1-5). His Words are truth (John 17:17), and only His truth has the power to set us free! (John 8:31-32)
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children. Hosea 4:6 WEB
For most of us, a lack of knowledge is not due to a lack of Bibles. The problem happens when we don’t pay attention to the Holy Spirit as we read scripture. So, we remain spiritual babies, not obeying the Holy Spirit from our hearts. (Hebrews 5:12-14) Then, when pastors, evangelists, teachers, prophets, apostles, etc., we have admired fail in some way, we are shaken.
Every born-again believer in Jesus Christ is a “priest” because we live in God’s presence through the Holy Spirit. (1 Peter 2:5) (1 Peter 2:9) This was made possible by the sinless blood Jesus shed on the cross for our sin. Each of us must take responsibility as “priests” before God. We must grow in knowledge of the Word and obey His laws of love! (Matthew 22:37-40)
The Teaching About Holiness
Some church leaders became so offended by legalistic teaching regarding “holiness” that they turned the word “holiness” into a dirty word. They began excusing sin in hopes that they would not be categorized as “legalistic” or “religious.” But the Word of God is true regardless of what people do or say. Sin is not from God. But oppressively enforcing trivial rules and regulations does not give us power over sin either. Sin is a heart problem. Only the Holy Spirit can give us power to resist sin, and if necessary, to cast it our of our hearts. That kind of holiness produces mercy, love and grace.
For God has not called us to impurity but to live in holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 CSB
Holiness
My husband, Mark, was the lead pastor of a beautiful little church for a couple of years. An older lady tried to get the women to wear dresses covering their entire bodies, even the neck, arms and legs. One Sunday morning she prevented two visiting teenage girls from entering the front door. They were dressed in modest bluejeans outfits. She told them they couldn’t come in until they returned in “appropriate dresses” to her liking. She did this in the name of “holiness.”
The people in the church loved this elderly woman anyway. My husband, her pastor, took the time to give her gentle words of wisdom (Titus 3:9-11). One day Mark drove that lady to visit her son in prison. As they spoke in the car, she realized that her son had never experienced God’s grace flowing through her life. She raised him with oppressive rules and strict punishment that didn’t produce holiness, only rebellion. That dear lady repented, embraced the love of God and became a different person. She learned that Christians can only live holy and righteous lives if they are willing to extend God’s grace to others. Holiness, as defined in the Bible, is beautiful and true!
But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11 WEB
Words of Prophesy and Knowledge
When spiritual leaders fall, words of wisdom and clarity are often needed to help the weak believer navigate such news. As we process events like this, we should always pray for the fallen. We must never condone their sin, but we also must never hate the sinner for whom Jesus died.
Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation]. 1 Corinthians 10:12. AMP
Recently a well known prophetic minister was exposed for using his audience’s public information to “fake prophetic words of knowledge.” The devil wants people to become skeptical of prophesy, words of knowledge and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. But the Word of God is true— regardless! The gifts of the Holy Spirit are beautiful and powerful in building up the Body of Christ. We should never become ashamed, skeptical or critical of how the Holy Spirit wants to work. The genuine gifts of the Spirit are a blessing! So, we forgive the offender– but we keep our faith!
Don’t quench the Spirit. Don’t despise prophecies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 WEB
The Word of God is Powerful When Spoken
The internet has made Christian teachings available to us from all over the world. This is amazing– if we have knowledge of the Word and discernment from the Spirit. Along with our local church leaders, we can know what God is saying around the world.
With the Spirit’s help, we can also discern when something is not right. I have seen the Biblical truth of “Declaring the Word” used by a few ministers to humiliate those already weak and wounded by the enemy’s attacks. That is ungodly. A message can be based on sound doctrine, but if it is presented in an unloving manner it grieves the Holy Spirit.
True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him, “You will be proved right in what you say, and you will win your case in court.” Romans 3:3-4 NLT
But many who have taught the same message of speaking the Word of God by faith remain loving and compassionate to this day. They have blessed countless lives! We cannot “throw the baby out with the bath water!”
My Experience Speaking the Word
The Word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). It is powerful when spoken and tears down the works of the enemy in the unseen realm. It is the defensive and offensive Armor of God because “it” is Jesus Christ Himself! Jesus has a double edged sword coming out of His mouth to wage war against His enemies (Revelation 19:11-16). If Jesus spoke the Word when tempted by the devil, then we should do the same. (Matthew 4:1-11)
I experience the power of the spoken Word of God in my own life every day. If I had listened only to the critics, I would be living a defeated life. But I learned to forgive those that misrepresented the Word through their unkind attitudes and actions. I sought the truth for myself and found that speaking the Word is a valuable weapon in our spiritual arsenal.
Scripture packed prayer on behalf of others is powerful against the plans of the enemy. Even our Spirit-led worship and praise is loaded with the living Word of God! We sing the Word from our mouths! Declaring scripture from a heart motivated by the Spirit’s love is pleasing to the Lord and powerful in His Kingdom. So, don’t be distracted by the critics that are unable to see the true message behind the flawed messenger.
Know the Word for Yourself
The Word of God will be misrepresented in many ways. That shouldn’t surprise us. The Lord warned us that would happen, especially in the last days. A false prophet will twist scripture for their own financial gain, fleshly pleasure or desire for control. But we can remain faithful to the end!
And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. Matthew 24:11-13 NASB
God’s Word is true! I pray you will not fall into cynicism and doubt because of the bad behavior of some. May you build yourself up in the Lord by reading His Word and paying attention to the Holy Spirit! May your spiritual leaders be anointed with hearts to present the Word in grace and truth. And may you always love the Lord by extending grace to others!
But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. On some have compassion, making a distinction, and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh. Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. Jude 20-25 WEB
