WHO HAS BEWITCHED YOU THAT YOU SHOULD NOT OBEY THE TRUTH? [Galatians 3a]
“O foolish Galatians! WHO HAS BEWITCHED YOU THAT YOU SHOULD NOT OBEY THE TRUTH, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?”
Galatians 3:1 (NKJV)
• If the people you are leading are not taught, well rooted, and grounded in the truth of the Gospel, they can easily be bewitched, hypnotized and deceived, and be taken away from Christ through false teachings (Hebrews 13:9).
- There are cult and Pseudo-Christianity doctrines flying about now that can easily contaminate and sway those who's Faith in Christ are not firm (Ephesians 4:14).
- Paul admonishes Timothy: “PREACH THE WORD! Be ready in season and out of season. CONVINCE, REBUKE, EXHORT, WITH ALL LONG-SUFFERING AND TEACHING"
(2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV). - We are at the time in the history of the church that people do not want sound doctrine, they do not want to hear the truth of the Word.
IN fact, a minister who preaches the truth of the Word of God now is obsolete, and archaic in his preaching or teaching, to some people.
- “FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE, but according to their own desires, because they have ITCHING EARS, THEY WILL HEAP UP FOR THEMSELVES TEACHERS;
- AND THEY WILL TURN THEIR EARS AWAY FROM THE TRUTH, AND BE TURNED ASIDE TO FABLES.”
2 Timothy 4:3,4 (NKJV)
• When the message of Christ's second coming is preached, some will say, “Do you still believe in that stuff?”
- Some even say the issue of resurrection and the second coming of Christ are meant to comfort the believers, that Jesus' second coming is not realistic, and they substantiated their point with 1 Thessalonians 4:18 that says "Therefore comfort one another with these words."
- Sound doctrine should be taught regardless of people's opinion about it.
- The issue is, the principles of the Gospel should not be altered but its presentation can be rebranded.
- Some in a bid to rebrand, repackage, the presentation of the Gospel, they are compromising the standard—the principles: “Nevertheless THE SOLID FOUNDATION OF GOD STANDS, having this seal: “THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS,” AND, “LET EVERYONE WHO NAMES THE NAME OF CHRIST DEPART FROM INIQUITY" (2 Timothy 2:19 NKJV)
- God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). God changes not!
- His Word and principles cannot be compromised and modernized, however, the pattern of presenting His Word should be relevant with the present time—the contemporary.
• Note:
If you teach the people under your leadership, you will save them from the hand of the predator, the devil, and those two propagate his teachings:
“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, FOR IN DOING THIS YOU WILL SAVE BOTH YOURSELF AND THOSE WHO HEAR YOU" (1 Timothy 4:16 NKJV).
“IF YOU INSTRUCT THE BRETHREN IN THESE THINGS, YOU WILL BE A GOOD MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.”
1 Timothy 4:6 (NKJV)
• To teach and ground the people in the truth of the Word of God takes time and it is something that should not be rushed.
- Feeding of the flock is an important aspect of the Ministry work.
- In fact, the primary assignment of every Minister or leader is to feed the people they lead or oversee, with the Word of God: "20 "HOW I [Paul] KEPT BACK NOTHING THAT WAS HELPFUL, but proclaimed it to you, and TAUGHT you publicly and from house to house, 27 “FOR I HAVE NOT SHUNNED TO DECLARE TO YOU THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD" (Acts 20:20,27 NKJV).
READ: John 21:15-17; Acts 6:4; 20:27,28; 2 Timothy 4:2; 2 Peter 1:12-15; Ephesians 4:11-15 - Jesus before ascension called Peter's attention to this grave responsibility repeatedly three times: “So when they had eaten breakfast, JESUS SAID TO SIMON PETER, “Simon, son of Jonah, Do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” HE SAID TO HIM, “FEED MY LAMBS" (John 21:15).
ALSO see John 21 verses 16 and 17
• People are calloused to the truth, however, it does not mean you should not teach them (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
- Teaching the truth makes you guiltless of anyone's blood. Apostle
Paul says: “THEREFORE I TESTIFY TO YOU THIS DAY THAT I AM INNOCENT OF THE BLOOD OF ALL MEN” (Acts 20:26 NKJV).
LET that be your testimony also!
NOTE:
If people are not taught regularly and consistently they tend to stray from the right path (2 Peter 1:12-15). - There are attractions of the world that is clamouring for Believers' attention and beckoning to them; the teaching of the Word of God will however keep them on course (Ephesians 4:14; Hebrews 13:9; 1 John 2:15-17).
- Moreover, the devil has commissioned some people to mislead the people of God through false teachings (2 Peter 2:1-4; Galatians 1:6-9).
- “For I [Paul] know this, THAT AFTER MY DEPARTURE SAVAGE WOLVES WILL COME IN AMONG YOU, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK.
- “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS, TO DRAW AWAY THE DISCIPLES AFTER THEMSELVES" (Acts 20:29-30 NKJV).
- You should not be sentimental about it, if someone is heretical, you should avoid such a person completely: "10 If anyone comes to you and does NOT bring this DOCTRINE, DO NOT RECEIVE HIM INTO YOUR HOUSE NOR GREET HIM; 11 FOR HE WHO GREETS HIM SHARES IN HIS EVIL DEEDS" (2 John 1:10,11 NKJV).
ANY support you give to a false teacher, prophet, or Ministry, means you have sided with them and share in their evil deeds. - Consistent teaching of the truth, the Word of God, is an antidote to heretic teachings. HENCE, leaders should always remind the people under their leadership of THE PRESENT TRUTH.
12 FOR THIS REASON I WILL NOT BE NEGLIGENT TO REMIND YOU ALWAYS OF THESE THINGS, though you know and are established in THE PRESENT TRUTH.
13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, TO STIR YOU UP BY REMINDING YOU,
14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.
15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure THAT YOU ALWAYS HAVE A REMINDER OF THESE THINGS after my decease."
1 Peter 1:12-15 (NKJV)
• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
Peace!