Have you really thought about that?  How easy is it to be swayed from the truth when you don’t know it well enough?  Let’s test something here.

God made everything and He said it was good.  He said people were very good. People are made in God’s image.  People are inherently good.  They do sin and need God’s forgiveness, but their nature is good.   People slip up and do things they shouldn’t. That’s why we need God.  People aren’t perfect.   

Would you agree with that statement? If so, you would be wrong.  You would believe a lie.  God did make everything, He did say it was good, He did say that people were made in His image and called them very good.  However, the scripture also tells us that after Adam and Eve sinned, people became inherently bad.  Once sin entered the world, there was no such thing as good people.  Check out the passages below to confirm this.

Romans 3:10
Mark 10:18
Ecclesiastes 3:20
John 8:34
Romans 3:9-18

I did this to show how it is so easy to be led astray.  The Bible tells us that the closer we get to the End Times, the more we will be tempted to go astray.  If we don’t know our Bible, we can be led astray without even realizing it. 

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Peter 2:1

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Matthew 7:15-20

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1

How often do you read your Bible?  Here are some interesting statistics from a survey that Pew Research Center did. This survey was ascertaining how much various religions read their scripture.  When asked about reading their scripture weekly, these were the results:

45% of people questioned seldom or neverread their scriptures.  Only 35% read their scriptures weekly.  This is all religions. When we break it down, here are some statistics based on religious affiliation.

Jehovah’s Witness: 88% read their scripture weekly
Mormons: 77% read their scripture weekly
Evangelical Protestant: 63% read their scripture weekly
Muslim: 46% read their scripture weekly
Mainline Protestants: 30% read their scripture weekly

Pew Research

How are we supposed to stand for the truth when we aren’t even reading the truth?  

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason
for the hope that is in you.

1 Peter 3:15

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 

2 Timothy 3:14-17

For those that read their scripture weekly, 89% were absolutely certain in their belief of God and 88% rated their religion as very important in their life.  In addition, out of those that read their scripture weekly, 97% had some absolute standard for right/wrong. 

If we want to be able to stand on truth, unwavering in our faith, and keep our priorities in line, then we need to be in the word.  You want your kids to know the truth and to remain steadfast in their faith?  Then teach them to be in the word. 

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 

Romans 10:17

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

John 8:31-32

Satan is sneaky.  The Bible tells us he is like a lion, ready to pounce.  He is not worried about those that have no relationship with Jesus.  He is worried about those that do.  Believe me, as a follower of Christ, Satan will be looking to deceive you.

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 

2 Corinthians 11:14

How will you be able to test the spirits and know what is of God and what isn’t?  By knowing God’s word.  The Holy Spirit will bring to you the proper things at the proper times, but you have to know them to begin with. 

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 14:26

By reading God’s word, you are preparing yourself. You are giving yourself the tools that you need in order to not be swayed and to stand firm on the truth. We are engaged in a battle of souls. Equip yourself so that you may stand.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. 

Ephesians 6:10-18
  1. How often do you read the Bible?
  2. Are you reading the Bible just to check it off your list, or to hear God speaking to you?
  3. Do you feel you can test the spirits and know truth from deceit?
  4. How can you improve your Bible reading? (ie: 10 minutes a day, memorize 1 verse a week, etc)
  5. Set a consistent time for you to read the word and/or meditate on it. 
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