There are many various translations of the Bible. Recently, our church just switched over to the English Standard Version. I personally enjoy reading a variety of scripture along with the study of Hebrew, Greek and Latin. Each interpretation has the potential to cast some light on the Word. So it should be with true, devout Christians. We should constantly be evidencing the multi-faceted Truth in God’s Word. Each of our lives should shed some more light on Him for the Glory of God.
It is my contention that despite varying Bible versions, Christians may be understood and “read” by how they stand on certain major issues. Recently, I’ve had a key insight on what truly separates those who are passionate about God and His Word, and those who use it simply as a tool to advance their own desires and agendas. Don’t forget that SATAN used the Bible to tempt our Lord Jesus Christ. Can you imagine the audacity of throwing Christ’s own words back at Him in an attempt derail Him? We see quite a lot of that going on today in the news.
Pope Francis’ recent comment “Who am I to judge”—is just a reworked “Judge not lest ye be judged”(Matthew 7:1) version of scripture. However, when said completely out of context (like Satan in the wilderness with Jesus), it has the opposite effect: It encourages and tempts people into sin. His comments EMBOLDENED the LGBT community and ENCOURAGED them to list him as “Person of the Year 2013” on the cover of a gay magazine “The Advocate.” Interestingly, the Vatican made NO comment on this disturbing chain of events or disavowed this “honor” publicly.
So, then obviously, we need to have a much keener radar detector as Christians in order to “smoke out” those who wrap themselves in a religious garb externally and those who have “internalized” the message. The first and most obvious method is a Gift from God…the Ultimate Arbiter who comes to abide within our souls as an umpire…The Holy Spirit. When we remain sensitive to the issues of God, He sets off the warning bells at the first sight of apostasy.
However, some new or inexperienced Christians have not honed their conscience and their relationship with the Holy Spirit into a finely tuned internal barometer through disciplined study and prayer. They may love the Lord with all of their hearts, yet still be easily deceived by a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
Does God leave us helpless, therefore, with no ability to sniff out or discern good from evil? Of course not! While we are, in good faith, developing our relationship within with God Almighty, He has given us His Word to study and pray over. Here’s some practical advice:
PRAY FOR WISDOM EVERY DAY!
It’s free and God gives it LIBERALLY to ALL who ask for it. This is a no-brainer in the Christian life—ASK FOR WISDOM DAILY! Personally, I like this version from the New Living Translation best…
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
~James 1:5
1=God
5=Instruction in His Law
Today I am going to give you a practical list of “warning signs” that can be found in the Bible as indicators of Apostasy. Remember, God warns us that in the last days…there would be a “Great Apostasy.”
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first
~2 Thessalonians 2:3
In these final days, many, many people who call themselves Christians will be pushing for an agenda that is contrary to God’s Word. Even worse…they will be identifying this agenda as a “good” thing. Jesus said:
Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
~Luke 6:46
CUT IT OUT AND TAPE IT ONTO YOUR WALL OR BIBLE IF NECESSARY!
The Four Apostasies in the Bible that felled both individual men and mighty empires is the same today as it was in ancient times:
1) Slaughter of Innocents:
In Ancient times, this was evidenced by people sacrificing their children to the gods. Today, ABORTION is the new “slaughter of innocents” and those who push this agenda in any way are advocating for an abomination that stinks in the nostrils of God:
~Joel 3:21
2) Sanctification of Perversions within the Temple:
Now you might be wondering…how in the world do we commit this sin in modern times? Very simply, GAY MARRIAGE is sanctification of a perversion. While it is one matter to have Christian love and compassion for those caught up in this sin, it is an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT situation to put the “stamp of approval” on this sin from our government and especially within our churches.
Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.
Now surely, you are thinking at this point, this one is an archaic pagan practice than no longer has any relevant application to our societies today. THINK AGAIN. When we elevate “man’s reasoning” over God’s wisdom, we are, in effect, replacing God with an idol…ourselves. Today, we are attempting to replace God with the idol of “Human Secularism” of “Human Reasoning”…in effect, joining forces with the recent ATHEISM movement (weirdly, mentioned by Pope Francis in his Christmas Day message as a possible ALLY for Christians in obtaining World Peace). Thus you see the frenzied attack by Atheists to remove all mention of God from our societies. I have a scripture for Pope Francis to consider:
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
~2 Corinthians 6:14
4) Opposition and Hatred of Israel:
As true believers we must NEVER oppose the Throne of David. God granted certain lands to the Jews in His never-changing, rock-solid Word. As true Christians, we must NEVER take a position that is “Anti-God” ergo “Anti-Christ”. The spirit of Antichrist is one in OPPOSITION to what God says.
While this does not mean the government of the State of Israel is perfect or without error…we MUST NOT SUPPORT any government or religious leader that seeks to divide Israel’s lands. PERIOD…no further discussion amongst serious Christians is necessary.
See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them.
~Deuteronomy 1:8
So, I don’t know what history Book or version of Scripture some politicians and clergy are basing their agendas on. In EVERY version I’ve ever read, without complete repentance on these issues, there is….
Absolutely no Absolution
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
~Galatians 6:7
Prayer:
Most High God, Master of the World and Creator of the Universe. We REPENT for using your Word falsely to advance our own evil agendas. We are THANKFUL that you are Merciful and Gracious to all who faithfully call upon Your Name. We LOVE your Word and recommit to following the guidance of your Holy Spirit in all matters. We realize that Your Word seems like “foolishness” to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1: 18 & 25), yet nevertheless we remain steadfast in our obedience to You. Please hear our prayers as we REPENT for ourselves, our families and our Nation. Lord, please have MERCY on those who call upon Your Name. We pray this in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords and King of Kings. ~Amen
Pastor Jeffrey N. Daly is the author of Repentance—God’s Strategy to Bless a Nation and Zeal to Repent!—A Key to Personal and National Restoration
Both are available for FREE at The National Day of Repentance website: www.dayofrepentance.org
or by emailing him at
