"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them." (Romans 16:17) "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)
We, as followers of Christ, must understand that the Bible and the Bible alone is our guideline. Sounds strict, right? Well, the Bible is the word of God. Anything that tries to contradict the word of God, that means make you live against how the Bible says to live, is called false doctrine.
Let's say, for instance, you pick up another book which goes perfectly along with the Bible, except for one off thing about getting drunk. You must choose which is more important. If you choose something outside of scripture over the Bible, you are accepting false doctrine, because the Bible is the word of God.
How can we get a relationship with Christ? Only through prayer and your Bible. Both. No other book and no other source will give you a right relationship with God. It does not matter how convincing your other source sounds; if it contradicts scripture, then you are not building a relationship with God. It's like going across the globe to have a conversation with your neighbor: that's not where your neighbor is and you are wasting time. God is not in those other places and you are wasting your time looking for Him there. The word is all truths for Christians.
Many times, I have seen people try to argue scripture with what other people say and what other people do and what other people write; but in the end it is not the word of God. How can we argue with God using flawed human beings? When God says that something is this way or something is not, we know it from scripture, not people. Why are we so ready to argue the will of God? Is our flesh in that much control of us that we are willing to overlook God and what He says so we can have it our way while still thinking that we are forgiven? When we take in false doctrine, we are no longer following Christ. We are following whatever God fits our desires and needs, and we have created an idol. A whole new religion that fits us. God was not made to serve our passions; we were made to serve God.
Sometimes we have to give up what we want in order to serve God, but we should do that with a heart that wants to. We should want to serve God more than love that person in that way or do this activity on this weekend. Are we willing to put aside what our flesh wants and surrender to the God who is truth and knows all things?
Titus 3:9 says, "But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless." 1 Timothy 6:20-21 says, "O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge,' for by professing it some have swerved from the faith . Grace be with you."
-D
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