Let God help You Screen Out The Serpents Tricks

2 Corinthians 11:3-4 -    But I am frightened, fearing that in some way you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to our Lord, just as Eve was deceived by Satan in the Garden of Eden.  You seem so gullible: you believe whatever anyone tells you even if he is preaching about another Jesus than the one we preach, or a different spirit than the Holy Spirit you received, or shows you a different way to be saved. You swallow it all.

Paul felt completely foolish…having to remind these Christians to beware false teachers. They had let down their guard…allowing their heart to open up to many teachings that were not supported by the scriptures God gave Paul to teach from. He reminded them that satan can present himself to man in any form he wishes...making himself look good …even sound good at first impression.

Paul wanted them to learn to recognize the false teachers that tried to earn a living preaching anything they wanted….twisting scripture to allow more of the culture they had known before…just like the serpent twisted the words of God to sound like He was hiding something great from Eve.

My Life Application Bible reminded me that all teachings should be checked carefully against scripture. We live in a world where most believers can hold their own personal copy of the Bible in their hands….and use it to check all teachings against its words. The Bible teaches that only what affirms and proclaims Jesus as the Messiah who came as a baby to sacrifice His life for our sins…then rise again to conquer death and sin for all to provide salvation in all that believe in Him is truth.

Paul was hesitant at the end of his reminder to list the many things God had helped Him accomplish and the trials God had allowed in his life to train his heart to be completely obedient. It was his way of reminding them that a teacher or preacher of God will have a lifestyle that mirrors the sacrificial life of Christ….completely consistent with all the scriptures teach is right and wrong.

Father…thank you for the reminder that all men do not teach your pure and literal word. Forgive me for the times that I have allowed a false teacher sway my thoughts and obedience in the wrong direction. Help me to discern the truth by always checking for myself the things that anyone presents as a Godly concept….so that I may allow you to always screen out the serpents tricks before they lessen my faith.  Amen.