Things Aren’t Always as They Appear
On my last trip out of town, I packed a new travel-sized tube of toothpaste in my bag. Along with make-up, accessories, and other toiletries, I also travel with some more unusual items, such as ear plugs, Neosporin, and anti-itch cream…because I am a mosquito magnet! When I started to brush my teeth, I was surprised at how bad it tasted, thinking ‘if this is mint, I don’t like mint anymore.’ The tube was upside down and when I turned it over to see what flavor it was, I discovered, to my horror, that I’d just brushed my teeth with anti-itch cream! True story! I understand now why some products say “do not ingest” and often I’ve wondered why on earth would anyone try? Hmmmm…..
I tell that most embarrassing story to say this…just because things look the same, doesn’t mean they are. The tubes were both white, the same size, and turned upside down, they both had a lot of writing on the back. However, turned right-side-up, they were very different, I just didn’t take the time to check.
You’d like to believe that any church is a safe place, a haven to hear the Word of God and to worship the King, but not all churches are good for you. Sure, some may have chairs and some may have pews, but I’m talking about what comes out of the pulpit. We have seen so many changes in our society – a shift in our culture – and unless you know truth for yourself from reading the bible FOR YOURSELF, you may not be able to recognize truth from justification of sin.
The bible is VERY clear on the “social issues” that are plaguing our world. However, when churches become neutral on them, preaching conformity and acceptance, then people who NEED truth find their version of truth in a house that justifies their ways. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
Matthew 24:24 “For false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray.” Jeremiah 23:16 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.” The leaders of the churches who promote our social decline are filling people with false hope, giving them no biblical truth or guidance to right their wrongs.
Be vigilant. Be mindful of teachings that don’t line up with God’s Word. Remember, on one side, the tubes may look the same, but when you take a closer look, they are VERY different, and one definitely tastes better than the other.