WATCHED OUT FOR A DIFFERENT JESUS, DIFFERENT SPIRIT AND DIFFERENT GOSPEL
SCRIPTURE:
“And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” (2Corinthians 11:12—150)
OBSERVATION:
Paul was amazed by how quickly false teachers and false prophets deceived the Corinthian believers. He said emphatically how raw his feelings were of believers he had labored so hard to present to Christ as a bride, a pure virgin being fallen prey to the schemes of false prophets they are now listening to. Paul wrote I am afraid that just as the serpent’s cunning and craftiness deceived Eve, your minds will somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
The false apostles were preaching a DIFFERENT JESUS other than the one Paul taught the believers in Corinth. Corinthians received DIFFERENT SPIRIT from the Spirit they received during Paul’s time with them. They also received a DIFFERENT GOSPEL from the one Paul preached to them.
Paul was heavy on his condemnation of the people being so naive and gullible. How they so quickly fall to the DIFFERENT JESUS, DIFFERENT SPIRIT, AND DIFFERENT GOSPEL different from the one which Paul preached and taught. Paul identified the false apostles and called them deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. Paul did not minced words when he called them servants of Satan who masqueraded as angels of light.
It is important for me to discern the people whom I am allowed to speak into my life or in the ministry that I am involved in. There are so many people who run around and call themselves apostles or prophets. Though these gifts are genuine gifts of Jesus to his church, there has been so much abuse in the body of Christ in regard to the gifts.
I must not blindly follow any teacher or teachings just because they mentioned Jesus’ name, God’s name, or even the Holy Spirit. Paul’s emphatically opposed the Corinthians for quickly falling into the trap. We must be disciples who are learners and able to divide and discern the word of truth rightly.
To question teaching does not mean you don’t believe in Christ. To question a teacher is to question the teacher and how he arrives at his conclusion of truth. Doctor Luke, in the book of Acts, wrote these about how the Berean put the Apostle Paul to the same test. “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11)
This is what we ought to do as the Berean believers did to Paul. We must not be afraid to ask questions to those whom we listen to or invite to speak into our lives whenever the Berean believers receive a message, with great eagerness, and examine the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. This is a noble thing that we must all do for our faith not to be hijacked by so many false prophets, false teachers, and false apostles.
APPLICATION:
I will continue to learn more about Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Gospel from the scripture itself. I will take the word of God as the main source of truth and continue to read it and study it for myself so I may gain his knowledge and will. I will continue to allow the Holy Spirit to guide me, teach me, and lead me to all truth in Christ.
PRAYER:
Jesus, you are the God of all truth. I pray that you continue to lead, guide, and teach me of your truth. I pray that you help me discern the work of your Holy Spirit in me rightly. Please help me to rightly divide your word of truth so I may help others find the truth that is in you. I ask that you give me your Holy fear and lead me to all your truth. Lead and guide me to all your truth daily. Amen!
