This morning I came across some crazy ideas online. There was the guy arguing that Christians do not sin. Another said the Apostle Paul was a deceiver who ruined the faith. A preacher argued James (brother of Jesus and author of the Book of James) did not understand the gospel, and that his book containsContinue reading “Beware: False Teachers are Everywhere. Ezekiel 13:1-14.”
Category Archives: Discernment/Fraud
Heroes and Villains. Jeremiah 42:19-22.
Old western movies employed the hat-color device: good guys wore white hats and bad guys wore black hats. There is even a Wikipedia page discussing the trope.[1] But the reality is not always so simple, particularly in the Bible. These are real people, not fictional characters, and the heroes seem to let us down atContinue reading “Heroes and Villains. Jeremiah 42:19-22.”
How Far Would You Go to Become King? History Indicates Some People Will Do Anything for Power. 2 Kings 11: 2-3.
Obi Wan Kenobi says of Mos Eisley Spaceport: “You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious.” As in all space movies, what’s true in outer space is true on earth. It is true of America. Of my city and yours: We must be cautious. Jesus said itContinue reading “How Far Would You Go to Become King? History Indicates Some People Will Do Anything for Power. 2 Kings 11: 2-3.”
When Miracle Workers Cannot Be Trusted. 1 Samuel 19:20-24.
When the glories of David the giant-killer began to eclipse those of King Saul, Saul was filled with murderous rage. The king made several attempts on David’s life. The first attempt was thwarted by his son, Jonathan, who warned David, then talked Saul out of it, 1 Samuel 19:6. The second was thwarted by DavidContinue reading “When Miracle Workers Cannot Be Trusted. 1 Samuel 19:20-24.”
Pray for Discernment. Matthew 7:15-17, 20.
One of the toughest challenges of modern life is knowing whom to trust. Whom can you date? Whom can you trust with your secrets? Whom can you hire? Whom can you elect? Which preacher is worthy of your attention? Which reporter or news organization can you trust to give you all sides of complex stories?Continue reading “Pray for Discernment. Matthew 7:15-17, 20.”
Beware.
Have you seen anyone wearing hobo costumes recently? Israel met a bunch of vagabonds once—and it cost them: “When the people of Gibeon heard about Jericho… they gathered worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. They wore old, patched sandals on their feet and ragged clothing. Their bread was dry and crumbly. They wentContinue reading “Beware.”
Fraud.
There is a downside to the democratizing power of the internet. Whom do you trust? It was easier when you had three TV stations and one local paper. Over time, you came to know the reporters and whether they were trustworthy, biased, competent, or fools. But in recent years, I have watched hundreds of videosContinue reading “Fraud.”
Household Words: 