PERVERSION OF GOD’S WORD IS A THREAT TO OUR FAITH AND RIGHTEOUS LIVING

BIBLE PASSAGE:
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you 
to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which 
is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into 
confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 
(Galatians 1:6-7)

MEDITATION:
False gospel is nothing new, it happened in biblical times as well.
Paul was amazed that the Galatians 
had been influenced by false doctrine so quickly.
Some of them were new Christians which is really confusing.
You would think that they would be on a ‘spiritual high’ from being saved 
and not willing to listen to anything contrary to the message 
that led to their salvation.

What is the difference between sound (true) doctrine and false doctrine?
Sound doctrine originates with God; 
false doctrine originates with something or someone created by God.
We should ask ourselves, 
“Does this doctrine originate with God, 
or has it been fabricated or distorted by someone else?”

Sound doctrine grounds its authority within the Bible; 
false doctrine grounds its authority outside the Bible.
We should ask ourselves, 
“Does this doctrine use the Bible in its entirety as its authority? 
Or does it use only a portion of the bible, or misquoted scriptures?”

Sound doctrine is consistent with the whole of Scripture; 
false doctrine is inconsistent with some parts of Scripture.
False doctrine often is a result of someone misinterpreting the scriptures, 
or taking selected scriptures out of context 
to fit their own agenda, or lifestyle.
They use just enough scripture to make their message sound biblical.
We should ask ourselves, 
“Does the concept of this doctrine change 
when the scriptures preceding and the scriptures following are included?”

Sound doctrine is beneficial for spiritual health; 
false doctrine leads to spiritual weakness.
We should ask ourselves, “
“Does this doctrine help me to grow spiritually and submit more to God, 
or does it encourage me to modify His Word to fit my own desires?”

Sound doctrine has value for godly living; 
false doctrine leads to ungodly living.
We should ask ourselves, 
“Does this doctrine contribute to righteous living for me, 
or does it cause me to submit less to the Lord and more to myself?”

What causes people to use false doctrine?
There could be a myriad of reasons, but in our world today, 
it could be triggered by a desire to be 
on the ‘cutting edge’ of something new.
In other words, to some the gospel has become dusty, old, and unexciting, 
so they look for something new that will feed their ego 
and draw in others to hear their message.

One example is, some are espousing that God has selected only certain 
individuals (the elite) who are predestined for salvation, 
while others have no hope.
Is that what the scriptures mean when Jesus said, “Whoever” 
believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life?
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever 
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not 
send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world 
through him.” (John 3:16-17)
Notice He also says, “...to save the world”, which means everyone; 
if He meant just the ‘elite’, 
the scriptures would say, “to save a portion of the world”.

Paul issued a stern warning (twice) to those who distort the gospel.
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than 
the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have 
already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel 
other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! (Galatians 1:8-9)

ACTION:
Has false doctrine caused you to believe something other than God’s Word?
What about your own interpretation of scripture?
Have you put your own spin on God’s Word 
in order to feel justified in living a life driven by your own desires, 
instead of living in obedience to what God expects of you?
There are many areas for evaluation, 
but how obedient are you in just these two?
 - Assembling with other believers. 
 - Bringing your tithes and offerings to God.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, guard my mind from any false doctrine. Make me aware 
of anyone distorting Your Word in any fashion. Forgive me for my own 
distortion of the scriptures in order to live my life the way I want to 
live it, rather than what you expect of me as a follower of Jesus Christ.”