In this final age of time, we have somehow transitioned from believing the Bible to be the Inspired Word of God, to the place where we can now be selective as to what translation we will accept. Coming to the Word with our own preset, preconceived ideas of what we are looking to find in it.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Many have determined that the scriptures are open to interpretation according to man's intellect, using their powers of mental reasoning. By this simple act of the free-will, they have ignorantly undermined their own selves. Just how foolish are we, if we believe that we can pick and choose those scriptures that suit our personal agenda's, discarding those that we find personally offensive, and still receive the promises given to "them that obey?"

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of God is not open to carnal interpretation people. If we allow the Word to be attacked, if we refuse to believe what we don't like in the scriptures, just because it makes us uncomfortable, does that somehow negate the Word and make it void? Or does our action simply remove us from the effectual working of the Word of God in our lives? Since when does the wisdom of man hold a candle to the wisdom of God? When God says "That the man of God may be perfect and thoroughly furnished unto all good works," is it then allowable to refuse to believe what God said, because a man said, "No you can't, not in this lifetime?"

1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Are we falling victim to the slick manipulation of words, thereby being robbed of the righteousness and salvation available to them that believe? There are many voices claiming to be the voice of truth today. How are we to know who and what are of God, and who and what are deceivers and lies of the enemy?

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Are we trying the spirits today? Are we calling them to line up with the Word of God, to prove them to be true or false? Can we even do that, if we have already negated the very Word we must stand on through our own unbelief?

2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

There are multitudes today who have already fallen into deception, and don't even realize it. There are great ministries flourishing in the world today with the full approval of men and governments, deceiving the masses with their 'easy believism' and 'no real repentance required' 'feel-good prosperity gospels.' They totally reject the Gospel of Christ, all the while claiming to be followers of it. They are following Christ's commandments by means of selective reading. They only embrace those things that appeal to the fleshly nature of fallen man.

We do not get to believe that 'we have been given all power and authority ...that we will rule and reign with Christ'...and disbelieve that ... "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

Let's face it ... this passage in Hebrews gives us a graphic depiction of what the man or woman who walks with God has suffered in the distant past.

Hebrews 11:33-40 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

These things are what we as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ should expect ...unless of course ... you are following another gospel. The sad truth of the day is, there are so many other gospels being lifted up today, telling the masses that there is another way, dismissing the requirements of God and replacing them with teachings that nullify the Word of God, even while using the scriptures to do so, is it any wonder that the Church today is utterly compromised and lukewarm? Full of every vile thing? Are we to believe that such rejection and suffering were alright for the people of God in ages past, but in this enlightened age God's requirements of man have changed? That holiness is no longer necessary? That obedience is subject to personal whims? That faith is a means of gaining material wealth? That the level of prosperity a man exhibits is demonstrative of his walk with God? That embracing the ways of the world...will win the world over for Christ? And one of the most unacceptable concepts of all...that God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Hebrews 5:8,9 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Are you getting tired of being told that the Word of God is unreliable? Are you disgusted by what you see going on around you? Does it grieve your heart to hear the abominations that are being heralded as the "new paradigm?" Is it easier to just go with the flow, get lost in the crowd, not make any waves or upset anyone else's theology? Because your Pastor adamantly denies that we can ever be perfect in this life, do we have to believe him and accept that we are different in this generation? That for some unknown, unexplained reason, vast portions of the Word of God are no longer relevant or true? That the scriptural principles that applied in times past are ineffective in the modern world?

1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

How bold are you? What kind of stand for Christ are you willing to make? Do you even think it matters or is important? Who are you most concerned about offending, God or man?

Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Do we comprehend that there is no person or thing that can stand in the gap for us, other than Jesus Christ the Lord? That it is only through a personal relationship with God ... one on one ... that we will ever overcome anything in this world, starting first and foremost with our own flesh? Our allegiance and faithfulness to a man, regardless of his title or position, regardless of how much he may be admired and applauded, is a poor substitute for walking in the Spirit. The same thing applies to organizations and institutions. Mass acceptance has never been the hallmark of a true man of God. If we are to believe the Bible, quite the opposite is true. All but the very young can look back in our own lifetimes and see how far we have fallen; as a Nation, as a Church, and as individual believers. Unlike social consciousness, there is no fluctuation in God. Sin is the same today as it was in the Garden of Eden. God's requirements of man have never been annulled. The lies of the enemy have the same sssssound as from the serpent .... "hath God really said?" And we have the same free-will ability to choose whom we will serve.

The written Word is under attack from another avenue ... a very insidious and stealthy approach. That being the introduction of the "Rhema word" as superseding and replacing the written Word. This is a very dangerous place for the believer to be. There have never been more people claiming to be Prophets. There has never been such a deluge of prophetic voices lifted with words purported to be from God. We see a literal lusting after prophetic words. Yet where do we see any call being raised to judge these messages, as to whether they are indeed the voice of God or not? There are so many coming forth, that there has already evolved a so-called prophetic movement, with a number of big name leaders claiming to be giving forth the Rhema Word of God in this hour. And if their prophecies are false, and do not come to pass ... or the content is contrary to scripture, do these discrepancies have any effect on their popularity or appeal? Does anyone even care if they are truly prophets of God or not? Or have we become so enamored with and enthralled by the supernatural in any form...that we have discovered we can simply pick and choose among the multitude of messages freely flowing forth, those that are most pleasing to our ears and in agreement with our own theology?

Jeremiah 5:30,31 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? Jeremiah 14:13,14 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place. Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spoke unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of naught, and the deceit of their heart.

Jeremiah 23:20,22 The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.

Jeremiah 23:29-32 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbor. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.

Would we like to believe that the Nation of Israel in Jeremiah's day was somehow different than us? They were the called and chosen people of God, so how are we different? Are we to believe that false prophets were not to be tolerated then, but that today at the end of the age and the culmination of God's great plan of redemption, being a false prophet or listening to a false prophet is somehow not going to incur God's wrath?

There are true prophets ... and there are false prophets ... today just as there were then. How are we going to know who to heed and who to simply stop listening to, except by the Word of God, and our inner witness? Is it possible that those who would lead the children of God astray today, will face the same fate as those false prophets Jeremiah contended with?

Jeremiah 27:15 For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.

Where is the man who is walking in deception, that knows and recognizes that he is deceived? The false prophets are absolutely convinced that they are genuine. Without the Word of God to judge spiritual things by, how are we to know the difference? How can we know if the message is in agreement with the Word, if we don't know the Word? Do we believe that God would contradict and go against His Own Word? God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19

Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

We need to study the Word of God today as never before. We need to seek the Holy Spirit, Who IS the Spirit of Truth, if we would know the truth. We need to recognize the ploys of the enemy, not holding men's persons in admiration. We need to press in, to know God intimately, so that we do not fall into error and step off the narrow path and into the snares of the wicked one.

2 Timothy 2:14,15 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

There has never been an hour when there was so much at stake. The darkness has never been greater, the hounds of hell have been loosed and are seeking whom they may devour. Now is the hour to make certain your election and calling in Christ. If we cannot rightly divide the word of truth, what hope do we have? The danger is real. The enemy is playing for keeps, his only aim is to kill and destroy the called out ones. To prevent us from believing is all he has to do. To cause us to doubt ... or be led astray ... is relatively simple, if we are not sold out to Christ all the way. The Apostle Peter exhorted us to "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

Do you believe or don't you? That is what it boils down to... what each one believes, and how they act on those beliefs.

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

May we reverence the Word of God, growing up to maturity in the Spirit of God, fighting the good fight and gaining the victor's crown.