Open Heavens Devotion February 20th 2016

Open Heavens 20 February 2016: Saturday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Topic: Beware of Deceivers II

Memorise: But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. – 2 Timothy 4:5

Read: Romans 16:17-20 (KJV)

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Bible in One Year: Luke 11:1-12:34; Job 24:21-25:6

MESSAGE:

The Bible repeatedly warns children of God to beware of deceivers in the form of false teachers and prophets, because their operations are usually so smooth that their activities could be very difficult to pin down as errors. They present their messages as divine revelations received after much perseverance in prayers and rigorous Bible study. Deceivers present their deadly errors as newly discovered secret information that was specially revealed by God, as the preferred way of relating with Him in this generation. 2 Timothy 4:5 says:

“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

It is an established fact that keeping the faith protected from the corruption of deceivers, requires the presence of the Holy Spirit, a knowledge of the Scripture, holiness, perseverance, Christian fellowship and spiritual maturity. This attributes must be present in a person’s life before the instruction in 2 Timothy 4:5 can be effectively carried out. The first essential step is to watch in all things. To watch, in this sense, is to pay close attention to the beliefs and practices of the Church, to ensure that they are ever in strict compliance with the Word of God. By so doing, even the slightest variation would be quickly noticed and corrected. Also, young believers will be protected from error. The second essential step is to do the work of an evangelist by demonstrating the full evidence of the ministry. If indeed the present generation of Christians would preach the gospel of Jesus Christ with power, such that miracle, signs, and wonders, are evident in our fellowships meetings, then the door shall be permanently shut against false prophets. Furthermore, 2 Timothy 3:16 says:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

This passage boldly declares that everything documented in the Bible is given by God as a revelation of Himself, His commandments and teachings. This confirms the Bible as the only divine manual containing everything we need to know about the Almighty God and His created universe. The passage also emphasizes the art of teaching, reproof, and correction as means of keeping the Church clear of false teachers and their messages. Teaching is the primary task of Christians as indicated in Mathew 28:19. We are called to teach the whole counsel of God, shedding the light of the gospel over every aspect of life, for the purpose of remodelling our lives to be in compliance with the word of God. In addition to teaching, we must reprove by speaking against false teachers and their heretic messages. At the same time, we must make serious effort to bring false teachers and those influenced by their messages back to the knowledge of the truth.

Finally, there must be training in righteousness to learn how to do what is right, what is just and in accordance with godliness. Once again, beware of deceivers!

Prayer Point: Father, please let anything You have not planted in Your Church be uprooted today in the Name of Jesus.