«The simple believes every word, but the prudent man considers well his steps» (Proverbs 14:15).
WISDOM
One day an individual introduced himself to a congregation assuring them he was an Adventist pastor but that, for the moment, he wasn’t employed by the denomination. He soon got a family to be interested in his friendship. The man stirred those believers with a story of supposed grievances that some church leaders had done to him. Then he shared some interpretations of the book of Revelation, where «new light was supposedly shown. In addition, he discredited some Adventist doctrines and fiercely attacked them. A short time later, this family’s home became a meeting place where that person presented topics that were increasingly offensive against church leadership, launching fiery accusations against it. Likewise, he manipulated some interpretations of Bible prophecy to favor his discourse. The group strengthened and a short while later caused a sad situation in the church where they belonged. The damage he caused the congregation left wounds that are still open. As soon as he felt cornered, the group’s leader moved elsewhere to continue sowing his bad seed.
Jesus warned that before His coming there would be false teachers of the Bible who would dissuade many people from the truth (Matthew 24:11). Besides, lies would be so seductive that they would also ensnare individuals from His own people (Matthew 24:24). That means that some believers would heed wrong doctrines that would lead to the destruction of their faith (1 Timothy 4:1). Nevertheless, although the Lord Himself mentioned it, many times we forget we have to take that warning very seriously.
Nowadays, the church is going through an explosion of dissidence in various parts of the world. The people of God are facing strong attacks from dissident groups that launch fiery accusations against church leadership, which range from complaints over some doctrines that the church supposedly teaches wrongfully— as in the case of the Trinity and Christ’s nature—, to peculiar prophetic interpretations, the use of some Bible versions, certain worship styles, and even some irrelevant disagreements, such as the building of true conspiratorial theories worthy of an unhealthy imagination, such as the rumor that at the head of the Adventist Church there were infiltrated Jesuits. Even so, few people are conscious of the way they damage believers with these kinds of attitudes.
Don’t believe everything you hear. Instead, analyze what they say with the Word Of God and a little common sense. We’ll surely keep on hearing nonsense, but you don’t need to fall for it.
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Take From: Daily Devotions for Youth 2020
«A New You»
From: Alejandro Medina Villareal
Collaborators: Gezer Noria & Misael Morillo
