“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 4

This apostle whom Jesus loved, John, had “no greater joy” than to hear and know that those he led and discipled were learning and walking in divine truth! What do I rejoice at? What do you rejoice at?

All those who authentically know Jesus should rejoice at His truth making men free (Jn. 8:31-32).

One who doesn’t follow God’s Word simply does not follow Christ! (See Mark 8:34 and John 8:47) Jesus told His disciples to “Follow me.” (Matt. 4:19). He came and died and rose again that He alone might be LORD of all and that His followers would follow Him and not be misled by the many beguilers who insidiously work for His arch enemy (Rom. 14:9; Col. 1:15-17; 2:8-10, 18-19). He told us that the thief has come to steal, kill and destroy the relationship He created us for (Jn. 10:10). This enemy is formidable and has many agents of whom Christ said to “beware” and that they were “ravening (devouring) wolves…(disguised) in sheep’s clothing.” (Matt. 7:15)

Of the heavenly Father and the holy Scriptures, Christ stated “Thy word is truth.” (Jn. 17:17) The deceiver does not want others learning the Word/truth because if they did they (that leader) would no longer have control of that person through deception. That person who personally studies and knows God’s Word and walks in it will not be manipulated, deceived or led astray by one of the goats in the flock of the hordes of self-serving beguilers operating in the church world today.

“By the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psalms 17:4

When individual believers personally learn God’s Word they become armed and dangerous to discern (Heb. 4:12). Their eyes are opened to the truth and false teachers then have no more dominion over them. In fact, such a deceiver is so deluded that he will oust the discerning disciple and vainly think he is doing God’s service for removing the very sheep of the LORD (Jn. 16:1-3).

The apostle Paul wanted the LORD’s people to learn and know God’s Word for themselves. He instructed younger Timothy to “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15)

Make no mistake: All those who are true to the LORD encourage and exhort others to get to know God for themselves by studying His precious Word. The one who wants you blinded is Satan and his “ministers” (2 Cor. 4:4; 11:13-15). Illumination comes through the Scriptures and shines light on the darkness of the enemy and evil men.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105

Do you recall that Jesus told us that the evil one and his agents, who hold ministry positions in the modern church, can only mislead those blinded by lack of knowledge for which they will be destroyed if there is no repentance? (Hos. 4:6; Matt. 7:15-23; 22:29)

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err (descend into error), not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” Matthew 22:29

Make no mistake – Concerning the things of God; What one refuses to learn and therefore doesn’t know, will ultimately kill him.

“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” Proverbs 1:5

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” Proverbs 3:13

The Spiritually “Blind”

“Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Matthew 15:14 

The “ditch” of delusion and ultimately eternal damnation awaits all who allow their hearts to be blinded from the light of the love and truth of Jesus Christ who has come to “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” (Acts 26:18)

Blind leaders simply cannot mislead illuminated, discerning people. Deception can only be perpetrated upon those who do not know the truth themselves through deep personal study of God’s holy Word.

“The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law (Word) of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.” Psalms 37:30-31

In this late hour we are seeing so many saints who love the LORD and honor His holy Word being asked to leave their local churches due to their refusal to just go along with the latest unbiblical entertainment paraded as a self-help program, false doctrine, or purpose-driven foolishness. He told us to rejoice when we are persecuted for His holy name and Gospel! (Matt. 5:11-13) It was the modern church of Christ’s day that persecuted and had the very Son of God killed. So, truth-seekers/truth keepers are in good company…YAY Jesus   \o/

Jesus told us to “Search the scriptures” because He wantedHis people to know Him and His will and have His illumination (Jn. 5:39).

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

The LORD and Savior Jesus Christ was intent upon His followers hearing and obeying truth and being made free from sin and religious deception (Matt. 7:15-24; 10:17; 16:6, 11; Lk. 8:12-15; Jn. 8:31-32, 36).

What did Jesus, John, Peter and Paul have that so many in leadership today do not possess? First, they were completely abandoned to the Father and therefore to do His will alone. This canceled any and all self-agenda (Rom. 6:7; 2 Cor. 3:5; 4:5). Second, they each understood that the Word of God, magnified even above His holy name, was and is absolute final authority (Ps. 138:2; Jn. 10:35; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pet. 1:12-21).

In contrast to Jesus and His holy apostles and prophets, the wolves of our era are cited in Isaiah this way:

“His watchmen (Israel’s leaders) are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.” Isaiah 56:10-12

It’s time to become completely discerning and unimpressed with the foolish and futile nature of sinful man’s education (seminary degrees, etc.). Jesus didn’t have a degree!

The one who studies to show himself approved unto God will be established in divine truth and no longer be moved about with every false doctrine nor tossed around by persuasive men who are using good words and fair speeches to mislead the people (Eph. 4:14; 2 Tim. 2:15; Rom. 16:17-18).

“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; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:14-15

Beloved, remember that any leader who is not leading people to have a life in the Word for themselves is in the very least suspect as being a false prophet. That person is using his ministry position for his own selfish gain, otherwise he would be leading people to drink from the Fountain of living water for themselves.

“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23

So many “community” and other seeker-friendly styled local churches today litter the landscape and are not Holy Spirit led or Bible rich (Col. 3:16) but rather driven by a purpose that is not of divine origin. Those who love God and His Word will not be silent and will be a holy and anointed nuisance to these self-serving CEO’s who possess the purposeof growing their little local church business and not advancing the kingdom of God the way the Word instructs and reveals.

“Beware!” (Col. 2:8)

“Rejoice!” (Ps. 119:162; Matt. 5:11-12; Lk. 21:28)

The kingdom of God is all about the King Himself!

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