JAN 5

2 Peter 1:16-21
Memorise 2 Peter 1:19
“And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

Many Charismatic churches today emphasise experience over the Word of God. Very often, their preaching will be based on some vision or dream that they “received of the Lord”, and they compel the church to go in a certain direction or follow a particular teaching simply because they claim that “God spoke to me last night”.

Peter in 2 Peter 1:16-18 warns we must never follow “cunningly devised fables”, but he speaks the truth as an eyewitness to both Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration, where at both times God confirmed that Jesus is His Son. In 2 Peter 1:19 he goes on to say “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” What he means is that we must take heed to, and seek direction from Scripture only. This is the certain set of instructions that God has entrusted to us, as a light to guide our lives. Even though Peter had the wonderful experience of witnessing and experiencing the ministry of Christ in the flesh, he still had such a high view and respect for the written Word of God, for the latter is available to all generations and will abide forever. The scriptures are sufficient for our faith, a light to reveal our sin in this dark world we live in (Psalm 119:105), and this is the Word that we must follow and trust instead of cunningly devised fables, till Christ returns (“until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts”).

Dear teen, do not be fooled by what the world does in preaching experience over God’s Word. Be not attracted to a church which claims tolerance of sinners is more important than correction of sin, that numbers in the congregation is the priority over Bible study, that worship means doing what the congregation enjoys rather than doing what God wants, that pastors who speak brilliantly and seek prosperous lives should be followed rather than pastors who may not be as eloquent or entertaining, but live lives that are examples to the flock. It is our human weakness that feels intolerance should be abhorred, that it is better to be in a big group than in a small one, or that if something feels so right it cannot be wrong. Remember that it is the Bible that is inerrant and infallible; men are not, experiences are not.

Thought: Do I believe that scripture is more important than experience?
Prayer: May I use God’s Word as the yardstick for everything!