The Straight Up Word: The Spinners

Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'

Mark 7:6-7 (NKJV)

There are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Gospel of Christ.

Galatians 1:7 (NKJV)

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the Truth, and be turned aside to fables.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NKJV)

  • The Word of God is not a coffee bar, sweetened to suit each congregation.

  • The Word of God is not a cooking show, where pastors compete for money and fame.

  • The Word of God is not entertainment by preachers seeking popularity.

  • The Word of God does not ordain judges: Christians who indict the sins of the world.

  • The Word of God is not for PhDs who profess full understanding of God.

  • The Word of God will NOT yield to spinning by any human mind, hand, or purpose.

Where the one and only Truth is concerned, our Almighty God is not a spinner. He did not spin His cherished Son’s ordeal. But He did spend His only Son--for us:

'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life' (John 3:16).

My fear is for Western Christians only… in contrast to persecuted Christians, living in oppositional cultures, where believers are arrested and killed.* Their walk with the Word is tested by fire.

But here, most are content to let teachers read the Bible and tell us what to think.

Therefore, Jesus warned:

  • 'Do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ' (Matthew 23:10).

Yes, Christian teachers, pastors, and speakers know enough Scriptures to back up their views.

  • EXAMPLE: 'I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.' John 10:10 is a favorite of prosperity preachers, but this Verse falls within 30 Verses about Christ, our Shepherd, and us, His sheep.

  • How many worldly-rich sheep do you know?

BOTTOM LINE: No one, not even true Bible scholars, can fully grasp the Highest Mind of all.

  • 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts' ' (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Actors models and talent for Christ: Don’t rely on teachers. Rely on God!

The Straight Up Word: The Spinners (Part 3)

* 'Paying in Blood: The Global War on Christians (Part 1)': http://www.christianpost.com/news/paying-in-blood-the-global-war-on-christians-part-1-109855/

NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban