Daily Reading: Ephesians 4-6
Ephesians 4:14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
My grandson is four. The other day he told me I was his best friend. About an hour later he told me that my chocolate Lab, Story, was his best friend. Later I heard him say that his teacher at school was his best friend. He was tossed to and fro. That’s okay, for he is a child. Sadly, when it comes to the doctrines of the Bible, many are just like my grandson. They hear this preacher say this and they believe this; they hear that teacher say that and they believe that; they have an experience that seems to fly in the face of everything the preacher or teacher has said, and they believe the experience. They are tossed to and fro.
Someone once said, “If it’s true it’s not new, and if it’s new it’s not true.” Concerning Bible doctrine, this is spot-on. Biblical doctrine does not change with the changing of things. Things are supposed to change based on Bible doctrines.
A person comes up to you and says they have been to Heaven and back then they begin to tell you all about it. This is well and good, it may be true, or it may not be true. Who knows? Concerning heaven all we know to be true is that which the Bible relates. Let’s say this person says that in Heaven people are married. This contradicts that which Jesus said in the Word of God about Heaven; He said they neither marry nor are given in marriage. Upon hearing such you have a decision to make. Will you put one person’s experience above that which God’s Word states clearly, or will you put God’s Word above the person’s experience? Will you be tossed to and fro? Or will you be steadfast in that doctrinal stance from the Bible about the afterlife?
Be sure to know that the last part of today’s verse is very real: by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. They are out there, beware! Change is sometimes needed, but only when the Bible proves the need for change. Let it be your ultimate guide. For Paul warns Timothy that…the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;… (2 Timothy 4:3). Be careful to not let his prophecy become your reality.
Until tomorrow, live for Christ today.