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Links
The King James Bible
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The Bible warns us many times throughout the Old and New Testaments that perilous times are coming and we need to be careful not to be deceived. These perilous times are already here, as there are many different ways Satan is fulfilling his goal of pulling believers away from the one true God. Since Satan can be very subtle when he needs to be, you may have been caught in one of his snares without even recognizing that it has happened. The good news is that no matter which of Satan’s lies we have fallen for, we can repent and seek to know the true God. If we are sincere, God will give us wisdom and discernment to see the world as it really is. So many verses come to mind that support what I’m saying, but instead of printing them all, I urge you to read your Bible, pray with all sincerity, and search these things out for yourself. No one can understand the Bible without God’s help, and that is why we need to pray to him for guidance and wisdom. “But if the gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is in the image of God, should shine unto them.”(2 Corinthians 4:3-4)
A very important doctrine that is missing from the churches today is that we need to fear God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”(Proverbs 1:7) “For they hated knowledge, and did not choose to fear the Lord.”(Proverbs 1:29) Yes, he is a kind and loving God, but he also punishes those who do not put their complete trust in him. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”(Matthew 10:28) Only when we fear God and pray for him to give us wisdom, no matter what the cost is to us, can we understand the Bible. The problem with most ministers and other Christian leaders is that they have not done this and therefore are still blind to the truth. Often, they will teach some truth (but not the whole truth), and mix in falsehood. When I later discuss ecumenicalism, this is what that word means. “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”(Titus 1:16) Fearing God means that we are ready to obey his commandments, which are not work-based but are entirely faith-based. The more we fear God, the more we love God. This may sound strange at first, but when we give our hearts to God and obey his word, he gives us the promise of everlasting life with him. He will never leave us or forsake us unless we forsake him first. “Having therefore these promises (to be sons and daughters of God), dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”(2 Corinthians 7:1) He also gives to us of the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12, including wisdom, healing, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.
One of the most damaging false doctrines taught in the churches is that we do not need to change our lifestyles after committing ourselves to God. This false doctrine may apply to the false, ecumenical god taught in most churches, but not to the God who wrote the Bible. As God opens your eyes to the world around you, your distaste for it will increase and you will wants to rid yourself of those things that God does not approve of. God often teaches us that we need to be holy, perfect, and sanctified, meaning that we need to separate ourselves from the world. “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”(Ephesians 1:4) “Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”(2Corinthians 6:17) Loving the world and the things of the world makes us the enemy of God. See James 4:4 and 1John 2:15-16. Remember, Satan is the god of this world and he uses this world to distract us from the love of God. I will discuss his methods in detail later, but one of his most subtle and effective methods is through idolatry. Many things are idols that we don’t think of as such, and yes, Satan does use these things to blind us to God’s truth. These idols include symbols (such as angels), signs (such as receiving money), and secular decorations (such as the Christmas tree). They can also include both secular and so-called Christian music, money (if we put too much importance on it), and possessions (again, if they mean too much to us). “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) God does not forbid us to have possessions but our hearts need to be with him, as we cannot serve two masters.
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