Protected From Phonies

RISE AND SHINE FOR JESUS!

By Pam Iannello (my late mother)

"Protected From Phonies"

How would you feel if you spent your life savings on a highly impressive piece of jewelry that ended up being a fake? What a waste, what a shame, and what a devastating blow it would be to your soul! Spiritually speaking that could happen to us as well if we aren’t careful. In fact, Paul was seriously concerned that certain saints might end up getting ripped off of the real thing…

Col. 2:1-10 (KJV)

For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; [2] That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; [3] In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [4] And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. [5] For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.[6] As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: [7] Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. [8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. [9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. [10] And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

As we read this portion of scripture, we can sense that Paul was in great spiritual conflict, wrestling in prayer against Satan who was seeking (and still is!) to lead these steadfast believers astray. False teachers have very attractive views on life and use enticing words to communicate their philosophies. They are much like fake jewels – at first glance they look like the real thing but they are 100% phony! Because we are a knowledge hungry people, and habitual “information gatherers”, it is appealing to buy into their wonderfully prepared teachings. In so doing, we experience a quick fix to our sense of uprightness and a trip to the Christian bookstore is always a religious boost for the struggling saint - temporarily. Somehow we feel holier as the percentage of information in our bucket accumulates, especially data that has been collected from a trendy teacher. BUT, true wisdom and knowledge is hid in Christ! The Bible calls these treasures; they are more than cheap trinkets lying on the surface of the ground for anyone to claim and show off. Such treasures won’t and can’t be found just anywhere but must be diligently and soberly searched for deep within the pages of the Bible! Only those who recognize and appreciate the value of Christ will discover the secret things of God. Thus, when all the treasures of wisdom are found, they bring substance to the character of the saint. Yes, every Word of God is a treasure - every doctrine, every command, every example, every principle, every warning, every reproof, every correction, and every promise – there isn’t one single word that isn’t highly valuable to the believer! Each word is profitable; it is advantageous to our souls and increases our worth as ambassadors for Christ. Are you clad in the real thing or have you settled for a phony gospel?

It's Up To You - Rise & Shine for Jesus - KJV Ladies Audio Devotional

2 Tim. 3:16-17 (KJV)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Ladies, some of our works aren’t as pleasing to God as they ought to be and that is because we haven’t responded properly to God’s Word! Think about it - is your Christian witness nothing more than a cheap trinket, a surface-oriented Christianity, exempt of any depth of character? The better we know the Word and yield to it, the better furnished we will be for all good works. Are you quicker to embrace man’s teachings than those of your Creator? Listen, Christians can be taken captive by the ideas of other men and women. Countless born-again individuals are lured, enthralled, wooed, charmed, fascinated etc. with teachings outside the Bible and embrace them wholeheartedly and without scriptural evaluation. Oh, they might please you and give you the “warm and fuzzies” for awhile, but it’s ruining your faith in Christ! There is always danger of God’s people going into error and it is a temptation believers will continually face. Every new Christian book or movement that pops up should not be trusted if it hasn’t been tested against scripture. The Bible is our magnifying lens; let it give you a professional appraisal! And if you don’t know your Bible all that well, how safe do you think it is for you to be reading other books or listening to assorted teachers?? You can’t spot a fake if you’re not skilled with the real thing!

Romans 10:17 (KJV)

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Paul knew the powers of evil so well and here expressed great passion and a heavy burden for the Colossians and warned them. He wished they knew what he knew… Paul goes on to encourage these believers to have their roots in the Word of God, built up in its truths in order to guard against falling prey to the various philosophies, religious scams, customs, and worldly programs that crop up. A Biblical foundation is critical to the survival of each and every convert! Though a child of God cannot lose their salvation, they can be spoiled. (tainted with untruths, seduced by false doctrine) Competitors to the Word of God disrupt our belief and growth and discredit the work of Christ. It isn’t “Christ plus something” it is only Christ we need; He is all in all. There are no substitutes for the power of Christ; in Him dwelleth all fullness; in Him we are complete. Don’t turn a blind eye to truth – you could end up owning a lie!

How deep would you say are the roots of your faith, dear lady? Are you one of those who are effortlessly sucked in to the popular religious teachings of the day? Do the enticing words of mainstream religious leaders easily beguile you? Listen, God’s treasures are hidden in Christ; He is the head of all principality and power. If you bypass your understanding of Jesus for something more to your liking, you’ll end up with a cheap trinket. It might make you feel “pretty” for a little while, but it won’t last long! The more committed you are to knowing Christ, the more protected you’ll be from phonies.

God Bless,

Pam

Isaiah 60:1&2

Copyright 2006 Pamela A. Iannello