Idolatry and False Teachers
Hi Friends,
I hope all is well with you. I want to praise the Lord for his faithfulness. Whenever we need his help, He is always there. He said, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and wonderful things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
So when we do not understand what to do or how to think about something, he is more than willing to show us. Hallelujah!
I have two visions to share with you today. Most of the visions the Lord gives me apply to nearly everyone. We are all human, and even though our circumstances are different, we all experience life’s troubles and difficulties. Everyone of us needs the Lord, whether we recognize it or not. There will come a day when we give an account for our motives, loyalties, decisions, and actions. Every thought will be laid bare. There will be nothing hidden, everything will be exposed. However, on that day, what will be most important is this: did we know the Lord as our God, Savior and friend? If we have acknowledged his death on the cross as atonement for our sins, and the shedding of his blood as placing us in right standing with the Father, then we will be able to stand before him, guiltless. This is not on our own merit, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
We have no righteousness of our own. No, we are considered faultless only because we have repented of our sins, and have chosen to honor Jesus as God, Lord and Savior. When we have made a true confession of faith in the Lord, he gives us his Holy Spirit to indwell us. Having the inner witness of the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to know that we are truly saved. “For, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that he was raised from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
The Visions
The Watch
It was just last week, when I looked at my watch and saw the number 444. Anytime I see three numbers together, I know that I need to stop whatever I am doing and pray. Years ago, I joined a group that prayed at the church at 5:00 in the morning. Everytime I hopped in the car, I noticed that it was 4:44 a.m. So one afternoon, I saw the same time displayed on the clock in my car: 4:44 p.m. It was then that I asked the Lord, “If you would like me to stop and pray anytime, please show me three identical numbers: 333 or 777 or 888, and I will stop whatever I am doing to pray with you.” After a bit of time, I asked the Lord to show me two digits and I would stop and pray. (22, 55, 99…)
So, on the 4th of July, last week, I saw these numbers: 4:44 and so I stopped to pray. It was then that I received two visions and an audible message. First, I heard a voice say, “Do me a favor. Take off your watch.”
At first, it seemed confusing, for I just saw the numbers on my watch which prompted me to pray, and now the Lord was saying to me, “Take off your watch.”
So I believe that the Lord was asking me to pray continually, “to pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
He would like us to be in constant touch with him, to converse with him all day long. It is such a blessing to spend time with the Lord. For it is during prayer that the Lord reveals his heart. So I took my watch off and sat on the floor to pray. He then gave me these next two visions:
A Trailer with Strings
I saw a small fiberglass trailer, just like the one my husband and I are renovating. It had four ropes that suspended the trailer in mid air. This vision reminded me of a marionette puppet, a puppet held up and operated by strings.
So I considered viewing the trailer as a puppet, something that has no “life.” When a puppeteer operates a puppet by pulling on its strings and using his voice to be the voice of the puppet, the puppet appears to be alive. While thinking of this, a scripture came to mind: “Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’ Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it.” Habakkuk 2:19
In pagan cultures in the past and even today, idolatry and the worship of many “gods,” is an abomination to the Lord. And as Christians, we may think it impossible for anyone to believe that a painted or gilded statue could be anything? To think that it is alive or has any special powers seems utterly foolish. To a Christian believer, the Lord is God, and there is no other. He resides in heaven and is Spirit. Jesus, came in the flesh for all to see. And he will return (hopefully) soon!
“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” Revelation 1:7
This passage in scripture describes the futility of idolatry:
“The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in human form, human form in all its glory, that it may dwell in a shrine.
He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow. It is used as fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.
Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.”
From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, “Save me! You are my god!”
They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand.
No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, “Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”
Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” Isaiah 44:13-20
We see that this is clearly idolatry. Worshiping and recieving guidance from an inanimate object seems ludicrous. But the enemy is deceitful. The occult, witchcraft, spiritism and false religions are works of the devil that lead people astray. The enemy uses whatever is effective in leading people away from God. Lies and temptation are means to appeal to people’s weaknesses. Idolatry in Western culture takes on a different form. Many are unaware that idolatry be found in our desires, passions, loyalties, priorities and possessions.
Some idolize material possessions, taking pleasure in beauty, and in costly things. Large and impressive properties, stone mansions with gardens and pools, luxury cars, elegant clothing and costly jewelry can turn one’s head. The thoughts and internal feelings these possessions stir up within us, can cause us to have a feeling of superiority, self importance, prestige, and the desire to be admired. Our hearts can be enticed with such feelings so that these possessions become so much more than God.
We can also idolize people, making them heros that we want to emulate. We can fantasize about how great it would be to have a relationship with them. These people might be actors, athletes, or virtuosos in a particular field.
Some people idolize a skill, an activity, an ability, or a talent that they possess making them feel important, or successful in the eyes of others, so that they themselves become idols. People with these thoughts about themselves, desire the applause and adoration of others.
In regards to the vision, I asked myself, is it possible that this small fiberglass trailer has become an idol in my life? In my husband’s life? Is it possible that we are giving the trailer too much of our time and energy in its renovation? How is it impacting our lives? How will it affect my walk with the Lord?
We have been working on the trailer now for months, investing a considerable amount of time. Because of its location I am not able to get an adequate cell connection, so it greatly hampers my ability to pray with others during the day, as I would normally do. And this project has caused us to spend a lot more money than we anticipated.
The Lord spoke to me just a few months ago saying, “Finish strong!” His command had nothing to do with the trailer but everything to do with pleasing him. He wants each of us to be totally commited to him and his purpose for our lives. Our energy, our time and our money is meant to bring him glory and build his kingdom. His command to “finish strong,” means for us to be obedient and to follow the Lord where ever he leads. However, I am concerned that the trailer is taking too much time and money and that it is a detour from God’s plan.
As I prayed again today for insight, I believe that the Lord gave me another interpretation. This scripture came to mind:
“A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
So even though the Lord has told me that it the RV is a foolish pursuit, I believe that he is using it to cause my husband and I to grow closer. In all our married life, we have never had to work together on a daily basis. The scripture gave me comfort in that, even though our hearts and desires may lead us to make certain decisions, the Lord will direct our steps. A Pastor years ago said that the Lord specializes in plan B. I guess it is like having a GPS system for our lives. When we get off track, he is able to re-route us so that we can still arrive at our destination. The trailer is a tiny house on wheels. Because it is moveable, no mater where we go, our home is with us. And no matter where we go, the Lord will direct our steps. Hallelujah! I know that the trailer may represent our plans, but the ropes which suspend it mid air, are controlled by the Lord! He is faithful and will keep us in his love. Yet, I will continue to pray that He will not let us fall. He will not let us stray far from him. And I pray that his will will be done in my life. God is good and he is faithful. He will direct our steps to follow him!
“Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” John 12:25
So I will continue to seek the Lord and his will for my life. And I hope you will do the same. Let’s give the Lord the steering wheel and buckle ourselves in. Let’s follow him where ever his plans take us. We belong to him.
The Man and the Horse
In the second vision, I saw a man take his fist and punch a horse in its side. The man’s fist and arm sunk into the horse’s body all the way to his elbow.
Oh my! What a violent vision! This was certainly an attack against an innocent animal. What could possibly be the motive of someone to do such a terrible thing? I had to pray, “What does this mean?”
As I prayed, a scripture came to mind.
“These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed.” 2 Peter 2:12
Who is Peter talking about? Who are these men that “are like irrational animals” that will be destroyed? Peter is talking about false teachers.
This vision is a warning vision. The man whose fist and arm are plunged into the side of the horse represents God’s judgment coming on false teachers. The following is the context of the passage above. It shows God’s wrath against people who mislead others, causing them to believe a lie that destroys their faith in him. The Lord shows his disdain for teachers in the church who have taught heresies, and false doctrines, and have been deceitful in their dealings with the church. These people have caused harm to the name of Jesus, and to the credibility of the church.
“For, as it is written, ‘The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.’” Romans 2:24
And regarding the false teachers in the church:
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.
Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.
They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”
2 Peter 2:1-22
This is certainly an intense passage. We should carefully consider our own faith. What do we believe? Are we aligned with the truth as it is revealed in the Bible? Are we dependent on the teachings of a pastor, a TV evangelist or a popular author, and not aware of what the Bible actually says? If we do not know the word of God for ourselves, then our faith may be based on beliefs that are not true. Because so many people do not take the time to read the word of God, but depend on teachers and pastors to do the work for them, their knowledge of God, his character and his will for them is based on someone else’s interpretation. A good teacher or good pastor can be a blessing for they do everything they can to uphold and teach sound doctrine. But someone who is a “free thinker” and impressed with his own charisma, can gather people to himself and teach them things he has made up, or ideas and precepts that come from the world rather than from God. These people lead others down the wrong path and destroy their true faith. This is why the Lord holds leaders and teachers to a higher standard.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” James 3:1
Let us remember this important scripture:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
I know of a wonderful Christian man who is strongly convinced that all believers should be baptized “in the name of Jesus ONLY.” Because I know the word of God, I knew that he was decidedly wrong. Here is the scripture that he fails to acknowledge:
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
If we do not know the word of God, we might be convinced by his passionate teaching about baptism “In the name of Jesus ONLY.”
A couple who taught a Sunday school class at a Church where I used to attend, began teaching a false doctrine about the necessity for Christians to follow the Old Testament Law, They were zealous in their teaching of error. There are several scriptures that they are mis-representing or ignoring altogether. This is a passage speaking of circumcism and the law.
”It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Galatians 5:1-18
We will all be held accountable for every word, every thought and every action we take. It is our responsibility to know the truth and to live by the truth. The teachers and pastors will be held to a higher standard, therefore those who teach faulty doctrine and lead people astry will be held accountable. Life is short and eternity is forever, so let us get this one right!
Jesus is returning soon for his bride. We need to get ready and be watching for him. So Please take these messages to heart. I know that it is not easy to read and to think about these scriptures.
“My people perish for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6
Let us not be ignorant of God’s word! Let us study the word so that we will not be led astray by false teachers and faulty doctrine. We need to pray for more wisdom and discernment to be able to distinguish truth from falsehood.
And remember that God is good. He is our Father, and he loves us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. And without the Lord’s blood that takes away our sin, we would all deserve death and eternal separation from him. That is why it is so important to share the gospel with everyone. We want no one to go to hell.
Please share this message with those you love and with those who need to be encouraged to read the word. Let us stand in faith and be ready for the Lord is coming! Let’s finish strong! God bless you!
