Identity theft

Some of these authors may have good intentions in writing “spiritual” books, but others are drawing away disciples after themselves (Acts 20:30).  Many men and women have bought into these authors’ ideas because it makes them feel spiritual, yet they never take the time to “see whether those things are so” (Acts 17:11). If a book is based on the Bible, why not go and study the Bible to see if it holds up? Go straight to the source. God desires for us to search the scriptures (Acts 17:11), rightly divide the Word (2Tim 2:15), have our senses exercised to judge between good and evil (Heb 5:14), and try the spirits to see whether they are of God (1Jn 4:1) so that we will not buy into every doctrine that is presented to us (Eph 4:14). This is very important because Paul said in 2Cor 11:14-15 “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” Just because a book is on the best-sellers list and it seems good does not mean it is the truth.

Satan is a master identity thief and the people that preach false doctrines make themselves his children. Notice what the Bible teaches about Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8:9-11 “But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.” It didn’t matter how spiritual Simon or those people felt, it was still false. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees in John 8:44 and said “ye are of your father the devil” because they were teaching false doctrines. When a person is teaching false things in the name of God, such as Simon or the Pharisees, they are making themselves a child of Satan regardless of their intention.

Don’t let any of this be a surprise to you; Paul said it’s no marvel that people teaching false doctrines can seem righteous (2Cor 11:14-15). We live in a world full of false doctrines and we should always search the scriptures in order see the truth. Be aware that Satan is out to destroy Christians by twisting the scriptures any way possible. Satan is attempting to take the place of God and continually spreads deception and destruction, but make no mistake: God will not be fooled by subtly and craftiness.

Ben Soto