“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.” 2 Peter 3:17
August 29, 2022
Security cameras and guards, home surveillance systems, cybersecurity, the list goes on. All are reminders that human nature is not good. The apostle Peter summarizes his epistle with the admonition to be forewarned is to be forearmed. As Christians we are to be on guard. Satan seeks to undercut God’s truth in any way he can. Error about the meaning of reality has many faces. Carl Trueman in his excellent article,“The Twisted Self,” in World Magazine explains how “feelings as truth, sex as destiny” as part of the new cultural orthodoxy is a formidable foe. It was Jean-Jacques Rousseau, an 18th century Genevan philosopher, who poisoned the stream of cultural thought with “Man is born free and everywhere is in chains.” Reason is to be thrown overboard and emotions must guide humanity to a brighter future.” Never mind Rousseau’s optimism about human nature and that Christ and Christian revelation must not be taken seriously. Rousseau has his followers today, by the millions, telling us that “each person has an inner core defined by feelings and intuitions that need to find outward expression in order for the individual to be authentic.” Satan has his soldiers, spies, sympathizers, and worldview ambassadors busily at work to develop clever schemes to mislead and deceive the gullible. Guard duty requires discipline, determination, discernment, and loving devotion to Christ. We must keep our eyes wide open. Steep yourself in the Scriptures. Listen to Bible-rich sermons. Have a good theology book at your fingertips. Remember, Satan has your address. He knows our weaknesses. There is some teaching out there that will appeal to us, and by it we can be drawn into doctrinal error and a twisted self. H
A time to pray: “Lord, give me a razor sharp biblical mind and a love for you that overflows the banks of my soul.”