The Filter

As with all things in the universe, there must be a balance, an equilibrium between what we as children of God choose to believe, and what we choose to reject outright. There are those who call themselves Christians, that choose to believe everything they hear, from the mouth of any man or woman who introduces themselves as a minister of the gospel, then there are those who choose to believe nothing at all, so set in their ways and in their doctrines, that even though one tries to Biblically demonstrate the error they are believing they refuse to receive it.
I know it is difficult to know what to believe, especially when ten different preachers put out a DVD teaching series on the same topic, during the same week, differing wildly in their opinions and conclusions, but if we would take the time to filter said teachings through the Word of God, choosing good and wholesome spiritual nourishment would become much easier.
I am often asked, whether by telephone, e-mail, or letters I receive at the Hand of Help office, what my opinion is concerning a preacher or a ministry, a doctrine or a teaching, and the only answer I can give, is use the filter. Even when someone we trust vouches for a minister, or a ministry it isn't good enough.
In my opinion, we need to reignite the philosophy of personal accountability in the house of God once more, and be responsible as individuals for the teachings we receive and allow to guide our walk toward eternity.
One thing is certain, if we use the Word of God as our truth detector, as our filter, we will not be deceived. Men can get it wrong, and they often do, especially those who have hidden motives, and personal interests, but the Word of God has no such hidden motives, and its only agenda is that we as individual servants, know the fullness of our God, and establish a deeper and more intimate relationship with Him.
As a friend who is in the twilight of his years so plainly put it, there are many wolves out there, and the Word of God is our only defense we have against them. Wolves fear the truth. Just as in the wild, when a wolf perceives that you are a dangerous foe, that you are strong enough to withstand its attacks and even hurt it, it will simply seek out easier prey.
In retrospect, I think a better title for this post would have been 'don't be the prey', but there is time, and much more to say on this subject. The simple truth is that the children of God should never be prey for the wolves, but conquerors, emboldened by the knowledge that they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them.

With love in Christ,

Michael Boldea Jr.