You know the familiar story. The car pulls in the driveway. Three or four well dressed people get out with books in their hands. They start toward your door…
And you hide. Turn off the television. Pull the curtains. Pretend you aren’t home.
What’s funny is that we never even think they might be from a local Christian church. Our minds immediately jump to those two words:
Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Why do we immediately assume this? Well, we will talk about this later on, but first…
I used to run from them. I knew I didn’t want to hear what they had to say. I knew enough to know that they were not right, but I didn’t know enough to know why they were wrong. After I began studying Scripture more and learning more about other religions, I began to see how the beliefs of other religions were so different from Christianity - The True Journey.
So, one day a few years ago, I was out mowing the grass and weed eating, and I stopped to take a break. I sat down on the steps outside with some water and cooled off.
Then I heard it. The gravel in the driveway began popping. A car was pulling in. I didn’t recognize it. Then I realized who it was. I couldn’t hide; they had already seen me! So, I smiled as the two women exited the car. They were very friendly and told me that they had some good news to share with me. I told them I liked good news, so go ahead. They read to me from Psalms and Revelation, and asked me some questions. I thought I knew enough to effectively counter what they were saying; but I didn’t. I listened.
When they were done, I thanked them for telling me their good news. Then I told them I had some Good News for them, too. I asked them to wait right there while I went to get my Bible. I ran in the house, grabbed my Bible, and ran back out on the deck.
There was nothing but dust in my driveway. They were GONE. Those ladies must have run to the car as fast as I ran to get my Bible.
I missed an opportunity because I wasn’t prepared.
It was after that day, I realized I still didn’t know enough about Scripture to deal with anyone who was teaching a false doctrine.
I encountered more JW’s during a local outreach and realized how prevalent they are in this community. And I learned more about how they outreach to people.
I began reading up on Jehovah’s Witnesses and learned more about what they believe and how it differs from the True Word of God: The Holy Bible.
The other day, as I was writing about how Satan distorts Scripture, I looked out of the window and saw a car next door. Two well dressed men and a well dressed lady…carrying books…and the lady was coming this way.
On a Thursday? Don’t they come on Saturday? Is it really them?
I got so stinking excited! I yelled out loud, “Wooo Hooo! The Jehovah’s Witnesses are coming!” Up the steps I went!
But this time I didn’t close the curtains, or hide.
This time I ran. But not away from them. I ran to them.
I think I scared that little lady at the door with how excited I was to see her. She asked me if I ever wondered why God allowed so much suffering. She read to me from Revelation 22:18-19. I told her that I believe in Jesus Christ and that He has saved me from my sins. I quoted her John 3:16; and told her that I know that Jesus Christ is THE Son of God and I am saved from my sins through His sacrifice on the cross. I told her that I know that I am going to spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus because He promises me that. Because He is God. (I encourage you to read more about what Jehovah’s Witnesses believe, or email me with your questions. I am working on the blog to include a section about false teachings.)
She didn’t seem like she knew quite what to say after all of that. She offered me some Watchtower magazines and I thanked her and told her no, that I had my Bible and that was all I needed. I asked her what her name was, and I told her mine. She was moving away from me as we had this exchange. So I told her to have a nice day and she told me the same.
As they went down the road, they pulled over in the end of my driveway and the man was looking toward the house and writing something down.
Probably my house number so they could warn the others.
But I hope they come back. I want to share Jesus with them. The real one.
I jokingly tell you this story, but the sad part is that she still didn’t stay long enough to hear the Truth. They are taught not to listen. They are deceived.
How important is it that we know what we believe? How important is it that we share this Truth with others?
Because there are people out there sharing false teachings. People are believing these false teachings. They are being deceived.
And they are going to Hell.
The Bible has a lot to say about false teachers; and how we can guard ourselves and others against these teachings:
Matthew Henry defines a false teacher as this: “those who preach false doctrine in those things that are essential to religion; who teach that which is contrary to the truth as it is in Jesus, to the truth which is accordingly to godliness“.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
2Co 11:12-15 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
2Peter 2:1-4 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
2Timothy 4:2-4 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Many of these groups that exist today are considered “Christian” groups, but they are not. This includes JW’s and Mormons. They use enough of the Bible, or their own translation of the Bible that they have changed to suit their own purposes, to make people think that they are a Christian group. Typically, they have additional teachings, such as the Watchtower magazine and other JW publications, and the Book of Mormon.
Do I know enough about what I believe to know the difference between true Christianity and man made religion?
The Bible is divinely inspired and complete. It needs no additions and no subtractions. And people try to manipulate Scripture in many ways, including continuing to publish many watered down translations that distort what God really said.
God has something to say about that:
Rev 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Eve added to and took away from God’s command. Certain organizations have publications that “add to” God’s Word. Certain translations water it down, or take away the true meaning of God’s Word.
Even in our mainstream Christian churches, there are certain things being preached that are not Scriptural.
More and more preachers, teachers and cults are asking, “Did God really say?”
Join me again as we look into some of these in more detail!
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