FADING FROM THE TRUTH

In a previous blog, I wrote about Fading from the Way; how sin creeps slowly into our lives. The song from Casting Crowns ("Slow Fade") was part of the inspiration for that post and again, this particular post on Fading from the Truth. I've discovered in my own life just how easy it is to slowly fade away from the truth and into sin or deception. Quite simply, the less we rely upon the Truth of God's Word, the more susceptible we are to falling into sin.

"The journey from your mind to your hands is shorter than you're thinking"



We would do well to remember that the methods used by Satan to draw us away from God are specifically suited for each one of us to prey on our sinful, pride-filled nature. When it comes to deception, he's the best. Since the biggest threat to his cause is the Church, that is precisely where he does his best work. The twisting, distorting and watering-down of the truth is what caused Adam & Eve to bring sin into the world. Throughout history, this has remained a constant technique of Satan in his attempt to deceive mankind. You'd think we would have learned our lesson in the Garden.

The war against truth remains today; more intense than ever.

In this day and age of postmodern influence on the church, there is an increasing assault on truth. What is truth? Can we really know what is true? The Bible is and remains consistent when it comes to displaying clearly what is true, regardless of how man perceives things. The problem facing the church and those seeking the truth is not a lack of authority on the truth. No, the problem is we're taking our eyes off the Word and instead, we're trying to apply our own understanding to interpret what truth is according to the influence of the world.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me". ~ John 14: 6

"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." ~ John 8:31-32

In an effort to try and be more in-tune to and appeal to the culture, many churches are re-packaging the Gospel to make it less offensive. It seems there is more emphasis on tolerance than truth. Jesus not only revealed to us that He is the truth but, that if we continue in (live by) His Word, we will know the truth and with that knowledge (and commitment to His ways), we will be free. Free from what? Free from the bondage of sin. Free from the delusions and deceptions of the world. Slowly, we have chipped away at the truth by doubting and questioning Scripture. What used to be black and white has now faded into gray. Evolution. Homosexuality. The exclusivity of Jesus Christ. All are questioned. What used to be called sin is now defined as "just how God created us". To even think that there could only be one way to Heaven is being intolerant of all other religions. Even so-called Christian books and Pastors are teaching that "everything must change". How we read and understand the Bible. How we approach the Gospel. Less focus on literalism; more focus on thinking outside the box.

"It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray"

THE EMERGING MOVEMENT- Redefining Truth

In an article from Christianity Today, John MacArthur shares what he calls a metaphor for the whole emergent church movement. A young lady stated that she loves Donald Miller, the author of Blue like Jazz, because she wants to be religious but isn't prepared to let religion alter her lifestyle. “I’m a Jesus girl,” she said. “But I also like to go out and do tequila shots with my friends.”

Consider the countless best selling books that are changing the way Christians view the Bible and God. "The Shack", "Your Best Life Now", "Everything Must Change", "The Purpose Driven Life", "A New Earth and the Power of Now", "The Secret", "The DaVinci Code", "Velvet Elvis", "Sex God", "A Course in Miracles", etc, etc. The list goes on. All claim to have a new method, a new perspective on truth and knowing God. Is it any wonder why there is so much confusion within Christianity today? The Word is no longer good enough. The fade from the truth continues.

"Be careful little ears what you hear... Oh be careful little eyes what you see"

As Followers of Christ, we have been given a great gift. His truth has given us life and shown us the Way. Therefore, should not our deepest passion in life be to share this truth with the world?

Paul Washer speaking on the privelage we have in knowing the Truth...


John MacArthur's excellent book "The Truth War" is a refreshing reminder of this unseen battle that is taking place today. He points out how postmodern evangelicalism and the Emerging Church are deliberately dumbing down theology. To hear him explain the purpose behind this book, check out these two video clips... The Truth War (part 1) and The Truth War (part 2).

We can read all the inspiring books, watch all of the emotionally charged videos and attend all of the motivational conferences and still not find the truth unless we turn to the source. Jesus Christ. We can choose to follow those teachings that "tickle our ears" or, we can cling to the truth (1 Timothy 3:15) that has consistently brought men to their knees, humbled hearts, changed lives and given life & hope since time began.

"Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid"

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." ~ 2 Timothy 4:3-4

No doubt, we can find some truth in most everything. Even the most heretical teachings have a sprinkling of the truth in it. The question we need to ask ourselves is, "Why even waste our time or open our minds to false truths or partial truths when we have the real thing?" Truth is not what we make it to be. Truth remains truth whether we believe it or not. Even when popular opinion rejects the truth, our minds and our focus should remain on the truth; without compromise.

"The person who loves you most will tell you the most truth. One of the greatest distinguishing marks of a false prophet is that he will always tell you what you want to hear, he will never rain on your parade, he will get you clapping, he will get you jumping, he will make you dizzy, he will keep you entertained, and he will present a Christianity to you that will make your church look like a Six Flags over Jesus. And keep you so entertained you are never addressed with great issues such as these: Is God working in my life? Am I growing in holiness? Have I truly been born again?" ~ Paul Washer

Consider the words of Peter describing how some will come teaching heresies and spreading their false words causing many to fall into their deceptions...

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep". ~ Peter 2:1-3

In these times of tolerance, the Church must remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding and preaching of the truth. Either we stand for the truth with boldness of we lose the battle. Peter, Jude, James and Paul all took a stand against false teaching. They boldly spoke out against those distorting the truth and preaching a different Gospel. Were they more concerned with being tolerant in order to avoid offending someone? Absolutely not!. Were they more concerned with looking like the world in order to make the Gospel more appealing? I think not. If by speaking out against heretical teaching we are labeled legalists or divisive, we are in good company as many throughout the history of the Church suffered far greater persecution. (1 Timothy 6:20-21).

"Much of the visible Church nowadays seems to think Christians are supposed to be at play rather than at war. The idea of actually fighting for doctrinal truth is the furthest thing from most churchgoers' thoughts. Contemporary Christians are determined to get the world to like them - and of course in the process they also want to have as much fun as possible. They are so obsessed with making the church seem "cool" to unbelievers that they can't be bothered with questions about whether another person's doctrine is sound or not. In a climate like that, the thought of even identifying someone else's teaching as false (much less "contending earnestly" for the faith) is a distasteful and dangerously counterculture suggestion. Christians have bought into the notion that almost nothing is more "uncool" in the world's eyes than when someone shows a sincere concern about the danger of heresy. After all, the world simply doesn't take spiritual truth that seriously, so they cannot fathom why anyone would". ~ John MacArthur ("The Truth War")

People claim to want to know truth. This is obvious in all the things we devour searching for it. Unfortunately, when it comes to Biblical truth, many choose to accept only the truths that fit into their lifestyle or system of values. Sadly, America is losing touch with the truth of the Word because we simply don't want ALL of the truth. To borrow the famous line from "A Few Good Men"... "You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!"

Test everything. Hold on to the good. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:21


"People never crumble in a day It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade"

~ktf~
John