Follow The Truth

Many people claim to walk in the right ways of God. They say they know the truth, claiming sonship with the Lord Jesus and teaching the way of life. They also work very hard to search for the deep things of wisdom to understand what the Bible says.

But unfortunately, when following religion simultaneously, what they find is polluted. A distorted view of God comes when you adhere to the ideas taught by men from the past or when you believe you are entirely right because you agree with what men wrote in their books. Because of this, many religious men boldly teach and encourage others to follow their instructions because they have many other men who agree with their assessment. But this is not based on the words from the Spirit of the Lord. But it is man’s understanding.

Therefore, I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says, “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3

When confronted by someone claiming Jesus as their guide, you have to ask this question. “Do they truly follow the way, the truth, and the life? Or are they teaching or doing things God disapproves of?” Are they producing bad fruit by the words and deeds displayed in their life? Are they calling good evil or evil good somehow, or are they hiding secret sins that will become evident over time?

Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. 1 Timothy 5:24

Many in these last days rely upon the words and teachings of the popular and those in some high position of religious authority. They look up to the ones who have the church applauded for their intelligence or education. Do you doubt what I just said? Are you thinking, “I don’t rely on what others say; I listen to the Lord?” I hope that is true. But honestly, we all tend to approve of others when others approve of them more readily.

Take a minute and think about it. Who do you quote when you are in a religious debate when you want to say something profound, or where do you turn when you desire further insight into a particular subject? You may seek someone with professional experience or knowledge; it is the same for many when seeking biblical knowledge. You could search in a commentary, concordance, or book of a well-known theologian, pastor, or teacher. Perhaps you may find some great man from the past to find a source of confirmation on the subject in question.

I am sure many have much wisdom from the Lord. Truthfully, there have been many godly men whom the Holy Spirit carried along, and their writings are beneficial. But how are you to know who was taught by the Holy Spirit? Who was right, and who was in error? Who is the one that decides who is right and who is wrong, your pastor? Which ones are reliable, and which ones are not? There is only one utterly reliable source of truth: the Lord Himself.

The Holy Spirit is the source you need to rely on, the one you need to listen to. He is the direct connection to the Father and Jesus. There is no other authority but God. He will never teach what is in error. Never does He make a mistake. Yet, men do fail daily.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears, He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore, I said that He will take what is mine and declare it to you.” John 16:12-15

Do you think finding others to agree with your position makes you right? Why do you feel that you are right after amassing a sufficient number of followers who agree with you? How many followers exactly does it take to make what you believe true? To convert what you think is true to what is actually true. Does it take seven, eleven, five hundred and fifty-eight, or one million people in agreement?

You can see that this is not how truth works. Just because you believe you can fly by flapping your arms does not change the reality of gravity if you jumped out of an airplane at 10,000 feet. No amount of people who agree with your point of view will ever make anything true. It is God Himself that determines truth, none other.

I am sorry, but a leader with a million followers does not make him right. Neither does financial success prove that God favors them. It just makes him right in his own eyes, and the wealth that has come with his success may puff him up in pride. Satan prospers many wicked swindlers, yet their downfall will happen according to God’s timing.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:2-3 Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered. Proverbs 11:21

I am saying these things because many wolves are in sheep’s clothing now dwelling in the church buildings. Yes, many in positions of power in the churches seek to destroy God’s people. Many pretend to be godly but are vicious wolves trying to silence those who speak God’s truth.

I want you to be able to recognize them and avoid them. Because their true cause is not for good but for evil. It is not to do the will of the Lord. But to lead others astray into distraction, diverse and strange teachings, and leading them to hell, to where they are going. There is no nice way to say it.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.”

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:15-17, 21-23

Did you get that? It is their fruits that give them away. Their actions and what they do show what they approve of or condemn, revealing their true colors. So watch out for those who claim to be of God but condemn the good things of the Lord and secretly or overtly approve of evil things; they are trying to put the righteous to shame.

They despise justice, holiness, modesty, humility, peace, and righteous instruction. Instead, they seek the opinions of others, the desires of their flesh, and the acknowledgment of followers, pastors, and religious leaders. All this they do instead of following and listening to the Holy Spirit, denying that He still speaks to His servants.

Your mission is to be holy as Jesus is holy. To follow His example and not to be a follower of another. to live a righteous and upright life. Studying the Word of God is very good; even checking what others have written about it is acceptable. But the Spirit of the Lord must be your teacher. If you desire wisdom, understanding, and insight, ask God in faith and trust that He will give it to you. He will speak the truth to you always.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8