How can we ensure our teachings align with God's truth, not "delusions"? A sobering warning “...because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie...” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-11) Key truth: Love the truth or believe the lie • God links delusion to a deliberate refusal to “love the truth.” • Right teaching flows from a heart that treasures His revealed Word more than reputation, novelty, or comfort. Steps to keep teaching aligned with God’s truth 1. Ground everything in Scripture • “All Scripture is God-breathed... so that the man of God may be complete” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Structure lessons around clear passages, not personal opinions. • Let difficult texts correct cherished assumptions instead of forcing texts to fit them. 2. Stay submitted to the Holy Spirit • The Spirit who inspired the Word (2 Peter 1:21) also illuminates it. • Before preparing or speaking, invite His guidance, asking Him to expose any hidden bias. 3. Value sound doctrine over popularity • “For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3). • Measure success by faithfulness, not audience size or applause. 4. Practice Berean discernment • “They examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true” (Acts 17:11). • Encourage listeners to check every point against the Bible. • Welcome humble correction when a passage has been misapplied. 5. Hold fast to the gospel of grace • Any teaching that distorts the person and work of Christ is already off-track (Galatians 1:6-9). • Keep the message of the cross, resurrection, and salvation by faith central. 6. Guard your heart • Delusion often enters through unchecked motives—pride, greed, resentment. • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). • Regular repentance keeps the teacher’s life aligned with the content taught. Living it out • Test every spirit (1 John 4:1). • Contend earnestly for the once-for-all faith (Jude 3). • Refuse to compromise truth for cultural approval. When love for God’s Word governs both heart and mouth, delusion loses its grip and His people feast on truth that liberates. |
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