APR 23

Ephesians 4:11-16
Memorise Ephesians 4:14
“For there are certain men crept in unawares...”

God does not want us to be so childish and naïve as to think that everybody is kind and good. We must realise that there are evil people who seek to entrap and deceive their ‘victims.’ They are full of ‘cunning craftiness’. In school, you are aware that there are thieves, cheats and even gangsters. Outside school, there are kidnappers, swindlers and loan sharks. In the realm of the spiritual, there are also men who have all sorts of unbelief, occult practices and even witchcraft. Even within the Church, the Bible gives numerous warnings of wolves in sheep’s clothing who would come in to spoil the flock. The Apostle Paul warns of such as those who teach false doctrine “by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14). Their methods are deliberately deceitful, seeking only to profit self and have no concern for the truth of God’s Word. They would appear like Christians, act like Christians, even becoming leaders, teachers and pastors in churches. Their purpose is not to serve or glorify God, but to serve themselves. As such they would deliberately use the Word of God to their own advantage, with false teachings and doctrines to the end that they may deceive.

To this the Apostle Paul exhorts us to be mature Christians to hold firmly the sound doctrine that we have learned. Even if you are a young Christian, settle it in your mind to acquire a deep knowledge of God’s Word and be well grounded in the doctrines of our faith. This is our best protection against the people who deliberately teach contrary to the Bible. If we are not steadfast in our belief, we are like a ship sailing on the restless ocean, tossed about with every changing wind. We can also be easily influenced by the cunning skill and ‘trickery’ of people. Therefore, be on your guard. Our values and beliefs are formed by the Word of God and not by the trickery of false teachers.

Dear teen, ungodly men have been misinterpreting the Bible since the days of the early church. The Apostle Paul gives an example in his warning about two corrupt teachers called Hymenaeus and Philetus who twisted the meaning of the Bible concerning resurrection (2 Timothy 2:17-18). Thus they destroy the truth of God that gives hope to believers. They have also destroyed the faith of some. May we never become one of their victims.

Thought: “Study to show thyself approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2: 15).
Prayer: Lord, may I know my Bible well enough to discern truth from error.