As a Christian, I keep my eyes and ears attentive to what’s going on in Christendom, especially in the United States. There is a common theme that has been rising for many decades, and its popularity is now mainstream. They have introduced it at such a pace that Christians have been moving away from Biblical Christianity unknowingly. At least, I like to think it was unknowingly. However, I do not deceive myself, I know many malign God’s word purposefully. Why? Well, by their fruit, I would have to estimate they don’t truly believe God. In John 8:30-32, “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Unfortunately, there are so-called “Christian” leaders that have returned to bondage in the world by inserting gnostic teachings into the accurate word of God. Gnosis is a Greek word meaning “to know or Knowledge”. There are too many types of gnostics to mention in this writing, but all gnostic teachings are against God. I recommend studying the topic to learn how to detect such heresies. If you have not studied Gnosticism, then you don’t have a basis for an opinion. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5.
Something many of you will not believe, and on the contrary, you’ll call me judgemental, but many, and I mean many, mainstream religious groups masquerade as Christians but are not according to scripture. If they’re not according to scripture (God’s Word), then they are not members of the body of Christ. It’s a disciple’s responsibility to speak out against such heresies, according to scripture. 1 John 4:1-6, 1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
And, according to scripture…2 Peter 2:1, But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
There are many gnostic groups. Some believe Jesus was not (Emanuel) God is with us, and God in the flesh. They claim He was merely a man who attained enlightenment through gnosis. We find in 2 John 1:7, “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.”
Some claim a mystical, or hidden knowledge as the basis for salvation. They believe secret revelation frees the “divine spark” within humans. The spark’s freedom allows the human soul to return to the divine realm of light in which it belongs.
There are gnostics that teach a person can reach such a level of “enlightenment” that they are like God. Even some teach a person can become their own god, and way of salvation.
Others appear to be a bit more benign but are just as malignant as any other gnostic. Research for yourself and see with your own eyes the truth about the decline of the Biblical Church in America today, because of the gnostic influences.
I see on Facebook every day, people sharing sponsored posts from false teachers. Some are outright in-your-face gnostics, while others are a bit slicker at their approach. Some are so cunning that you’ll give an amen, not knowing you just agreed with a heresy. NEWS FLASH! Heresies are outside the will of God. They are at war against God. You must know scripture accurately to see the zipper hidden in the fake wool of the wolf’s costume.
In the early days of the Christian Church gnostics were identified and upon the unwillingness to repent, expelled from the Church.
Some of you think I’m a quack, some, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, while others are saying I’m fanatical. The latter is true; I am fanatical about the word of God. Why? There’re many reasons, and I can find them all in scripture.
Here’s a shortlist:
2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (Do you see how being approved to God is directly linked to accurately handling the word of TRUTH?)
1 Corinthians 15:1-2: v.1 “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. v.2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” (In verse 2 the word “if” in Greek expresses a condition. In Greek it’s called a “conditional conjunction”. Therefore, holding firmly to God’s word is a condition for salvation.)
2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (We find Everything we need to live a life of Godliness in His word.)
Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (It is impossible to seek Him without studying scripture.)
I hope you’ll take the time to study to learn if the religious group you’re affiliated with is part of Christ’s spiritual body, the Church. Truth is, just because someone calls themselves a Christian, doesn’t make it true. The same goes for religious groups. Just because they call themselves a church doesn’t mean Christ has added them. I know that sounds harsh, but if you know scripture, you’ll know the truth is sometimes hurtful to our sensitivities. After all, Jesus said, “But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. 34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. 37 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 10:33-39
Eternity is an immeasurable length of time, and we have only one measured life to prepare for it. I hope it’s the most important thing in your life!
