November 28

Daniel 5

Simply put, there is no excuse for exalting oneself above God. It is the height of arrogance, and God will not be mocked.

2 Peter 2

There were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you (2:1). The early churches also had con artists who craved status. I don’t why we should believe we’d be immune. A student once told me about a lady in his church who received many positive answers when she prayed for people. She started a pay-for-pray scheme, which is obviously unbiblical, but the people in the church did not know the Bible.

In another case, a man who I thought was a friend and who agreed with my teaching for many years, gained status and after I left began teaching a false gospel of works and pushing himself forward as the church’s new Pastor. Friends in that church told me that as soon as I left the man began crushing people under the weight of his teaching. Both the pay-for-pray lady and the works-righteousness man met swift and shameful ends but not before damaging their churches.

There has never been a time when false teachers were absent from the church. Their end is certain, but they multiply like the Hydra. It is not necessary that one be duped by such liars. Know the Bible and you’ll spot a false teacher. Be sharp. Do your part. I’ve found that the Holy Spirit brings to mind Scriptures that I put in my head. He could but does not supernaturally fill my head with His word or press out all my errors. He always redeems the time I spend studying.

Proverbs 28:19-20

He who works his land will have plenty of food, but he who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. The Bible offers several ways to gain wealth—hard work is the most common. Wise investments build wealth over time. God also approves inheritance. All three depend on wise spending, without which one rarely builds wealth.