#Online Bible Study

A Warning For All Believers In These Times

“When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth.
Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees.
These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.
The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in MEANINGLESS DISCUSSIONS.”
-1 Timothy 1:3-6 NLT

 

My heart has been very troubled in recent times… troubled at new doctrines and teachings that seem to be stemming up left, right and centre.
People who think they have greater grasp on the Word of God coming out to share their revelations and “superior knowledge”.
Now, such knowledge maybe right, but then the problem is they only serve to stir up arguments and divisions among the body of believers with the owners of these knowledge eager and ready to “teach further” if more clarification is needed.
My heart is so pained. I see teachings rising up on new doctrines and I want to cry.
Not that I feel like crying because they are wrong but I want to cry at how much these things are dividing the Church and we let them.

 

I am very certain that I am not the only one feeling this new wave of new doctrines/teachings in the air…
I am not the only one worried about it am I?

 

For the last few weeks, God has been teaching me on “Shutting up and moving along” when a discussion doesn’t serve to edify me… yes, even if that discussion is a discussion centred on the Bible.
These days you find people clustered about, discussing things that when they leave, there really wasn’t anything added to their souls.
And so we pick up arguments on things that don’t matter in the grand scheme of things and believers leave such places filled with speculation and not filled with faith and love in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

I trapped myself in an argument with a Jehovah witness a few weeks ago where she said Jesus wasn’t God and I wanted to argue but felt God shouting at me to “shut up!”
And He took me to 1Timothy where Timothy was warned not to indulge in “foolish arguments that only breed fights”.
The Bible calls these things FOOLISH arguments.
Why?
Because not only do they not edify your soul, they lead to speculation and can lead many away from the faith.

 

“Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness.
May God’s grace be with you all.”
-1 Timothy 6:20-21 NLT

 

And so as I walked home on Monday after an amazing time at Bro Gbile’s Akanni meeting (you all should get his messages!), I felt so burdened about this and I knew that even though I didn’t think I would publish a post today, I had to… I felt like God wanted to use me to send out a warning to us all… and of course one when doesn’t speak, the guilt remains on their heads.

 

Dear brothers and sisters, the times which we live in have been predicted long ago and it’s in the Word of God.
We have been warned way before now about wrong teachings that will spring up in these times…

 

“Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth.”
-1 Timothy 4:1-3 NLT

 

Now there is a simple test to apply when you receive a Word from someone…
(1) Does it build up your faith in God or does it lead you into arguments?
(2) Does it fill your heart with love for God and your fellow believer?
(3) Does it end in speculations or does it edify you?
(4) Is the Holy Spirit at peace with the Word you received or does it itch you in the wrong way?
It is actually very easy to know wrong teachings or teachings that don’t necessarily build up your faith in Christ Jesus.
“Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.”
-1 Timothy 6:2-5 NLT

 

Ways to know teachings that don’t edify you:
(1) It just quibbles over the meaning of words which are basically unnecessary.
(2) It stirs up arguments, division, slander and suspicions.
(3) It doesn’t urge you onwards towards living a godly life in Christ, instead speculations and dwelling on that word may lead you far away from the faith.
We are all called to be more careful about the words we take in and even about “shutting up” and leaving controversies alone.
I am reminded always by God that it is not “superior knowledge” that builds up God’s Church, it is love.
The knowledge might be right but knowledge doesn’t build up the Church so if your knowledge is causing strife, arguments, doubt, etc, leave it and pick up love.
Actually, true knowledge in the Word should actually be shared from the place of love (got a conviction here as I wrote this).
So you don’t have to press your point with a fellow believer.
Recognize that everyone is at different revelation at different times in their lives and one is not always wrong even as one is not always right.
So when God tugs on you as you share your knowledge that this is moving out of strengthening His church in love, SHUT UP and love your fellow believer in silence if need be.

 

“Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.”
-1 Corinthians 8:1-3 NLT
I am just pleading with us, please teachers and receivers of the Word alike, let love lead as the Word of God says it should.
Steer clear of the controversial dealings especially when you aren’t sharing because God told you to share… you are only sharing from a place of “knowledge”. Be sensitive enough to know the difference, check your heart and ask God to show you when you go wrong.
As receivers of the Word, test the received word by also checking the scriptures day and night to determine if what someone said is true.
You don’t have to argue with a Word… simply dig into the Word of God for yourself, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal insight to you and get the TRUTH from the one who is truth Himself.

 

Guard your hearts dear sisters and brothers.
Move away from arguments in the Word as much as possible and SHUT UP when God says you should shut up.
Let’s be careful and be vigilant in our faith walk with God.
It takes just one wrong doctrine to throw one in a ditch.
Even much more so in these times, we need to study the Word of God for ourselves. Get truth for yourself.
And even much more so make one of your greatest prayers one for “insight and revelation in the knowledge of God and His word”.

 

Prayer:
Father we ask that you unite the church, your body in love – in the knowledge of Christ – in oneness – in unity.
Open our eyes to see that divisions lend no help to us.
Help us to love our brothers and sisters enough to steer clear of fixing our “knowledge” on them.
Unite us Lord.
Unite us Lord in the truth that matter… in Jesus name, amen.
Further Reading:
“As I urged you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on where you are at Ephesus in order that you may warn and admonish and charge certain individuals not to teach any different doctrine, Nor to give importance to or occupy themselves with legends (fables, myths) and endless genealogies, which foster and promote useless speculations and questionings rather than acceptance in faith of God’s administration and the divine training that is in faith (in that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence)– Whereas the object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs from a pure heart and a good (clear) conscience and sincere (unfeigned) faith.
But certain individuals have missed the mark on this very matter [and] have wandered away into vain arguments and discussions and purposeless talk.
They are ambitious to be doctors of the Law (teachers of the Mosaic ritual), but they have no understanding either of the words and terms they use or of the subjects about which they make [such] dogmatic assertions.”
-1 Timothy 1:3-7 AMP
Till Our Next Online Bible Study,
Love,
Frances.
P:S: Please forgive me for one week plus of not posting on the blog.
Long story.
I’m back now by God’s grace, amen!

 

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12 Comments

  • Reply
    Mobolaji
    April 20, 2016 at 10:43 am

    Thank you babe!

    Someone told me on Saturday that an anointed word from a man is different from a motivational word.

    Truth is, we’re having more and more people spring up as motivational speakers, not backing their words with the word.

    The separation of churches truly is heart breaking. It’s come to a point that we think we’re better than others just based on the church we attend.

    I have a friend who’s a leader in our evangelism unit in Church. She said she preached Church when she just started, but God dealth with on that.

    Now, she almost always forgets to say the name of her church and just shares Jesus. If the person is led to workshop with us, the details will be on the flyer. But she won’t be advertising her Church instead of Jesus.

    I pray to also be more careful! Ahh, sometimes words can put us in trouble. I remember one time I got into an argument with a believer over him sending one BC on NIV Bible being demonic and all that stuff. I was really mad and asked what his motive was!

    God later asked me to apologize because I didn’t speak to him in love.

    Christians sometimes oppose other Christians that it’s so confusing.

    Another thing I’ve noticed is that people label these things as ‘gists’ or even ‘prayers’. Oh, did you hear what so and so said about the Bible.
    Oh, do you know the Church so and so goes to.

    All these talks that really don’t build faith as you’ve said.

    God help us to seperating anointed words from motivational ones.

    And more so, to shut up when God asks us to!

    Stay blessed sis.

    Too much love.

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      April 22, 2016 at 12:53 pm

      Gists…some Gists basically are simply delving into gossip if we aren’t careful..
      That’s what too much talk leads to.

      It’s sad these days on how the Word of God has been watered down into inspirational ish. That’s one thing bro Gbile dealt with at the meeting..
      I was simply praying to share God”s word, not my opinion or popular vote, God’s word.

      Lord help us all. May we not be derailed but find grace to stick with God when stuff like these arise in Jesus name, amen!
      Thanks B

  • Reply
    Afolabi Oluwatoyosi
    April 20, 2016 at 11:08 am

    Just heard a message this morning as well on when to be silent with reference to when Jesus was silent at first when been asked questions by the High Priest in Mark 14:61. Is really good sometimes to keep quiet when been led by the Holy Spirit also moreso when we are speaking with vain Glory and it isn’t coming from God, all edification should be done with Love. Thanks Dear for this.

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      April 22, 2016 at 12:49 pm

      I remember checking a passage like that too in 2014 on some Pharisees coming to test Jesus and Jesus speaking with wisdom well thought out and not just because He wanted to “show them”.
      Will check out this passage too Afolabi.
      May we be like our Lord in these matters..amin ohhh!

  • Reply
    Distinguished
    April 21, 2016 at 12:22 am

    Thank you Frances for this timely warning. Like B already commented, there are so many motivational pastors this days. And it is really sad how it is we Christians that are quick to antagonise each other in secular settings based on some foolish arguments where we are out to preach church doctrine and not God’s word or love.

    I’ve highlighted this scripture to always have it in remembrance – “it is not “superior knowledge” that builds up God’s Church, it is love.”

    God bless you always sis. Much love

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      April 22, 2016 at 12:28 pm

      Can’t tell you the number of times that scripture flashes through my mind Dee! It’s a serious warning and deep call to me to focus on what matters every time.

      Lord help us.
      *Love*

  • Reply
    Helen
    April 21, 2016 at 10:30 am

    Great write up ma’am. It’s a wake up call for every believer thanks for sharing

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      April 22, 2016 at 12:21 pm

      Thanks Helen… may the words always resound in our hearts when we are faced with situations when we have to chose between love and what would ultimately lead to division… may we always chose love’s way, In Jesus name, amen!

  • Reply
    D'Dream
    April 21, 2016 at 2:08 pm

    I wish every Christians could listen to this message titled: The Full Gospel by Apostle Joshua Suleiman Nimmak. This matter is dealt with intensely in the message

    Argument does not lead to edification, only the truth spoken in love. If you someone claim to havessuperior knowledge about a verse of scripture, yes he/she may be right but is it spoken in love?

    For Christ sake every denominations is right to some degree in their creed and belief system PR rhema or whatever. Christ is the one to worry about that not us. This belief system differences is what the enemy is using to cause confusion and division in the church. Jesus didn’t die for a denomination, He died for the Church.

    If you can’t leave peaceably with other Christians attending denominations different from us, I wonder what you will tell Jesus at the Marriage supper of the lamb in Heaven.

    You better get used to loving and interacting with other Christians now.

    Personally I don’t force my belief system on others. Because it works for me doiesnt means that’s the only method of getting my prayers answered. I know a christian brother who rarely fast( infact he does not believe in fasting), yet he is being blessed right , back and center. Yet I know a sister who believe so muchnin fasting that she look literally thin and she got her prayers answered too. So you see?
    Of course arguements will ensue when the brother and the sister tries to force their belief system on each other.

    All these I am a winners, redeemed, Baptist, Anglicans, catholic, Trem, Daystar or whatever should stop. The unifying cord that binds up together is the blood of Christ. Let us put aside our sentimentality and take the world for Christ. Perhaps this is one of the reason The rapture has not come about. Christ is coming for a Unified and Reigning Church. This is the prayer that Christ prayed that has not been answered because we keeps getting in the way.

    Sometimes ago, I joined a church(names witheld) in their evangelism, I wasn’t a member of the said church but since I have the time. I decides to spare a few minutes to help distributes their flyers. I’m not advertising their church, I’m simply advertising Jesus. I wished we all have this mentality

    Seriously I really recommend that message above. If you can’t get it, you can send me a mail. Mind you I’m not in anyway advertising for him, I’m not even a member of his church but I share good word when I have the opportunity.

    Thanks so much Frances for sharing this!
    More Graces

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      April 22, 2016 at 12:20 pm

      I have read your comment twice D’dream!
      God bless you for this!

      We can also do well to re-echo Christ’s prayer in our prayer times, when we see these ills, our prayers for unity among the body should even be more intense.
      And as God leads us, we also play our part in our own small way..letting love lead and not division.
      God help us all, amen!

      And I have a bit of Apostle Joshua Selman’s msgs, I loove how he teaches so no, I don’t think you are advertising anyone, I share messages when I know they will teach and transform people.
      How can I get it? My mail is okorofrances@gmail.com
      Would be grateful D’dre.
      Thanks!

  • Reply
    Omobola
    April 22, 2016 at 9:09 am

    Hello Frances, true talk.
    I almost got into an argument with a Jehovah Witness about celebrating birthdays etc. However, i remembered my sunday school teaching days in uni and how i admonished others not to participate in discussions that didn’t edify and dropped it.
    In addition, can you please prescribe where i can get Bro Gbile’s messages. I tried downloading messages on my phone so when i am working crazy hours like i always do i can take my Jesus with me all the way. Needless to say i almost became a victim of various malwares and gave up. Also, i think you should write a post about how to keep the faith when you are in a challenging 8am-10pm or sometimes 11;30pm career.
    Finally, please Christians in the house i wish someone would create a web content that has compilations of messages from across churches and pastors and also gospel musicians or is there a website like that i am unaware of. Sorry for the epistle Frances, do have a spirit filled weekend.

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      April 22, 2016 at 12:14 pm

      Haha Omobola! Where do I start from?

      Okay, first I looove that! I am actually going to be having a spirit filled weekend, a programme with Pastor Chingtok teaching some #truth is lined up!
      I’m sooo excited!
      On my way for 3hours prayers just to soak in… so yes, your wishing me a Spirit filled weekend was on track 🙂

      I actually have thought of doing the post for career people in the house as I have had lots of people ask me that question over and over again.
      Will get on it soon by God’s grace.

      Bro Gbile’s msgs… I usually download from youtube.
      I simply Google for youtube bro Gbile msgs and then convert the video to audio with an online youtube converter and download.
      That’s how I have the small collection I have now.
      You can try it.

      On website for msgs, etc. I don’t know of any, but I found one Google drive of msgs from Joshua Selman which is the teacher Emmanuel recommended earlier.
      Google is always the way I get songs/msgs. I just go digging for it.

      And may we always heed when the Spirit nudged us on the futility of arguments in Jesus name, amen!

      Take care of you dear..

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