Many preachers today use clever clichés, and add to, or take away from, verses of Scripture to make them mean something that people want to hear, rather than what they actually say. They seem to prefer popularity with people, rather than the perfect will of God. This has left the church with the task of separating one preacher’s viewpoint from another’s viewpoint; and this has subsequently left many Christians choosing one preacher over another. All this has unfortunately produced misguided souls following men and doctrines, rather than following Jesus.
These things were foretold by Paul in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.” We are most assuredly in those days now.
in contrast
A true man of God reveres the word of God and approaches it honestly, treating it with the utmost respect. He knows the word of God is sacred and refuses to form his own opinions; what he doesn’t know, or understand, he leaves in the hands of God, trusting the Holy Spirit to reveal what He wants to reveal, when He wants to reveal it. He simply trusts in God and speaks of things the Lord has shown him and leaves questions to be answered when God wills. A true man of God faces reality, that is, he faces Jesus at all times, knowing that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him; he would never go outside of Jesus to find an answer to any question concerning God or His church. A true man of God is just that, a true man of God.
conclusion
The time has come for us to awaken from sleep and walk in soberness of mind, redeeming the time. We must weigh all we hear on the scales of God’s Holy Word, being careful to lay aside any preconceptions we might have. We must approach the Word with humility of mind and soul, and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal its truths to us. This is the will of God.
Jon David Banks, God’s most unworthy servant
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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