Apostate Times

We are living in apostate times in which the majority of those calling themselves Christian are not studying their Bibles but will use portions out of context to develop a doctrine God never intended.

I see this all the time, and the people who want to be seen as knowledgable will fight bitterly to defend their lies.

One of the things I have noticed is the tactic of intimidation to control others in the group with their false teachings. These people are playing church making up their own doctrine using words from the Bible while mocking and intimidating those who want Bible truth.

1 John 4:1

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds."

When one of these false teachers has managed to influence the rest of the group to believe his false doctrine, it is time to leave. Once someone has gained so much power over people that they are intimidated into silence, there is no way for a rational Holy Spirit-led man to bring the group back to the truth.

Silence about sin and deceitful doctrine has caused the ruin of many church gatherings and even individuals within those gatherings. When these false doctrines persist there is an inevitable downfall of the entire gathering. The people who remain become bitter and resentful people without the fruit of the Spirit.

I have seen God remove the lampstand from a gathering that has relegated church to a social club that uses God to justify their sinful attitudes.

2 Peter 2:1

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction."

Beware of those who care more about dominating over others than they love them or Christ.