Page 57 - Prophetic Word Newsletters Archive 2006 by Pastor Randy Shupe
P. 57
Limited space prevents me from greatly elaborating on these four subtle substitutes capable of cheating
us of what is available in Christ. However, let me give you a good, vivid definition of each one and
comment on them as space permits:
http://www.thebereancall.org
“BEWARE LEST ANYONE CHEAT YOU THROUGH This website has a wealth of information that
“STORING UP ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE OF will help you to see what is happening to the
THE WORKINGS OF THE MIND… church through the acceptance of the worldly
principles of psychology as being “Christian.”
THE LOVE OR PURSUIT OF THE UNDERLYING It also warns against the 12- step programs
PRINCIPLES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE…
as being in harmony with the Scriptures.
A QUEST FOR TRUTH BY MEANS OF Nothing is further from the truth.
LOGICAL OR INTELLECTUAL REASONING…
The wisdom of psychology looks within man for the answers
SPECULATIONS…THEORIES… to life. God’s Word tells us, “in me…nothing good dwells”
PLAUSIBLE CONCEPTS… (Rom. 7:18). The answers to man’s problems require that we
look into who God is in us for “I can do all things through
EXPLORING THE MENTAL POWERS OF Christ who strengthens me” (Phil.4:13).
LOGIC AND REASONING…
DEVELOPING A LONG TERM COURSE FOR
LIVING A DESIRABLE LIFE…”
“BEWARE LEST ANYONE CHEAT YOU THROUGH This world will promise you anything, but deliver little or
nothing of that which is promised. Why? Because its promises
“MADISON AVENUE TECHNIQUES” are filled with “empty deceit.” What else can one expect from
CRAFTY DECEPTION, a world which “…lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 Jn.
5:19), who is also called “the father of lies” (Jn. 8:44).
THE PERVERSION OF TRUTH
FOR THE PURPOSE OF MISLEADING, God’s promises are based on truth and rest firmly on this
MISGUIDING… FRAUD, TRICKERY, LIES… stated fact, “…for it is impossible for God to lie (therefore) we
TO DECEIVE BY MEANS OF FALSIFIED have strong consolation…to lay hold of the hope set before
us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure
EVIDENCE… GUILE AND CLEVER and steadfast…” (Heb. 6:18-19). Whatever is necessary for life
MANEUVERING, OR MANIPULATION OF and godliness has already been given to us in the form of
“…exceedingly great and precious promises” (2 Pet. 1:4).
TRUTH TO GAIN ADVANTAGE…
UNFULFILLED PROMISES…”
“BEWARE LEST ANYONE CHEAT YOU THROUGH The traditions practiced by the world in which we live should
never be viewed as “harmless traditions.” Jesus warned that it
“THE HANDING DOWN OF CHERISHED was such traditions that caused them to be guilty of “…laying
OPINIONS AND IDEALS… aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of
men…all too well you reject the commandment of God, that
BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS HANDED DOWN you may keep your tradition…making the Word of God of no
BY WORD OF MOUTH… effect through your tradition which you have handed down.
And many such things you do” (Mark 7:8,9,13). Not only can
PRACTICES AND CUSTOMS TRANSFERRED FROM Judaism be charged with this selective sin, but also
GENERATION TO GENERATION… Catholicism ranks as “the king of tradition.” As Protestant
believers, we would do well to examine the degree to which
AN INHERITED OR ESTABLISHED WAY OF we too have replaced truth with tradition. Start with Christmas
THINKING OR PERFORMING THAT IS and Easter.
COMMONLY ACCEPTED AS HISTORICAL, Politics, commerce and religion in themselves easily qualify
BUT USUALLY LACKING EVIDENCE as being among “the basic principles of the world” in which we
TO SUPPORT ITS CLAIM… live. However, the apostle John is even more specific as to
what these “basic principles of the world” are. They are “the
“BEWARE LEST ANYONE CHEAT YOU THROUGH lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life” , the
same three Satan used on Eve in the Genesis account, the
A FUNDAMENTAL LAW GOVERNING same three he tried on Jesus in the wilderness temptation
CONDUCT…A BELIEF THAT EXERCISES A (Mat. 4:5-11), and are the same three that he presently uses on
DIRECTING INFLUENCE ON BEHAVIOR SUCH AS every believer to get them to worship something other than
POLITICS, COMMERCE AND RELIGION… God. We must strive to remain a people who get their
principles from THE WORD rather than from THE WORLD.
“ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD-
THE LUST OF THE FLESH,
THE LUST OF THE EYES,
AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE-
IS NOT OF THE FATHER
BUT IS OF THE WORLD.”
1 Jn. 2:16
