Watered-Down Christianity

March 7, 2023 Gracie

Watered-Down Christianity: Misleading The Masses

The very idea of artificial intelligence (or AI) sends shivers down my spine, and yet also fascinates me at the same time.

Who ever thought we’d be in living in an era where self-driving cars are being tested?

And, check this out.

Recently, I prompted an AI generator to create a rhyming poem about flowers.

In a matter of a few seconds, this is what it came up with:

It’s not the best poem, but not the worst either, right?

But the fact remains, a machine wrote it.

My knowing ahead of time that this poem wasn’t written from the heart and creative mind of a human writer cheapens it for me.

I don’t know about you, but I like to know ahead of time if something is real, or just a clever imitation.

Likewise, in our Christian faith, discernment over what is the real gospel vs. watered-down Christianity is crucial.

Watered-down Christianity isn’t Christianity at all.

Watered Down Christianity: Are You Hearing the Real Deal?

Is what you’re listening to the real gospel of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible – or is it just an imitation?

Is the message watered down to make it look and sound like the real thing, but it fails to mention sin, forgiveness, the Cross, the Resurrection, and salvation?

There’s a lot of false teaching in our world today – meant to tickle the ears and grow the congregation at the same time.

Does the Bible say:

You have to earn your way into Heaven?

That there are many ways to Heaven?

You can pray to whomever you would like?

That we all worship the same God?

No. it doesnt. But, those are just some of the counterfeit teachings leading the masses down a dangerous path.

The right thing to do is to teach people the truth.

The Enemy, working through modern day false teachers, will do anything to destroy the true gospel – that our salvation is through Christ alone.

We must be modern day Bereans.

The Bereans have long been seen as a positive example of how a person or community should respond to biblical teaching. We are called to eagerly learn from God’s Word and, no matter who the teacher is, to investigate new teaching in comparison with the Bible. The practice of the ancient Bereans is a model for all who desire to grow spiritually today. – Got Questions website.¹

Why is Biblical discernment so important?

The world, as prophesied in scripture, will continue to rebel against God.

The biblical term “fool” does not mean someone unintelligent or uneducated. It means someone who ignores godly wisdom and truth in favor of their own biases or preferences. – Bibleref website.²

People are looking for soft answers, and false teachers are providing what they want to hear.

We must beware of new revelations, mysticism, and biblical “adjustments” to appease modern sensitivities.

Test everything against Scripture.

Be discerning.

It is up to us as Christians, led by the Holy Spirit, to take the real gospel to the world, and expose what is fake.

# # #

¹Quotation from gotquestions.org, from “Who were the Bereans in the Bible?” n.d., para. 8. Web. Accessed March 6, 2023. Bereans in the Bible.

²Quotation from bibleref.com, from “What does Proverbs 14:33 mean?” n.d., para. 3. Web. Accessed March 6, 2023. Biblical definition of fool.

Our Exceptional God

Here’s Your Sign

October 30, 2019 Gracie

Here’s Your Sign

Have you ever been to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?

Walks on Myrtle Beach

It’s a fun place to visit!

I am seriously missing those long walks on the beach right now.

Seriously . . . missing.

One morning, when we ventured out of our hotel to walk the property, we saw a very interesting sign.

Check it out.

warning up ahead

You know, I thought I saw something move by that bush over there.

“Here’s your sign,” as Bill Engvall used to say in his comedy routine.

It’s a good thing the hotel put out a warning, right?

danger up ahead

Venture too far out into that marsh and you could end up as appetizer for a real live alligator.

No thanks.

Another Warning Sign

Here’s another sign we need to be aware of.

Jesus Himself issued a warning to His disciples to beware of false teachers.

A Tree and Its Fruit

¹⁵“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. – Matthew 7:15. NASB.¹

Fortunately, there are still good Bible teachers out there.

Unfortunately, there are also false teachers (and book authors) who are teaching anything but sound doctrine.

Discernment is a must.

For instance, just because a popular book in the Christian category of a bookstore becomes a best seller – that doesn’t mean it’s biblically sound.

You’d be wise to read reviews from people who have actually purchased and read the book.

Going strictly by the endorsements isn’t always the best method (what if the endorser is also a false teacher?)

Beware of buying “Christian” books whose messages don’t line up with Scripture. If a teacher or author tells you they’ve received a “new revelation from God,” your red flags should be flying.

Jesus was the most loving person that ever lived and would say “neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” He did not judge in the condemnatory sense but He certainly made a judgment of discernment. And that’s where we get confused. When the Bible tells us not to be judgmental, it means we are not to have a spirit of condemnation towards fallen people. We are to love them, be concerned for them, pray for them—all of that. But we are still supposed to have discernment—to be able to distinguish between what is righteous and what is unrighteous. – R.C. Sproul, theologian, Founder of Ligonier Ministries.²

Let’s Get Equipped

If you’re not familiar with a teacher’s background, then what?

Here’s some good advice.

In summary:

What does this teacher say about Jesus?
Does this teacher preach the complete gospel? (including the Resurrection of Christ, repentance for our sins, and salvation by grace alone. Remember, helping the needy is not the entire gospel message.)
Does this teacher exhibit qualities that glorify the Lord?

I hope this is helpful to you.

God bless

# # #

² R.C. Sproul quotation, courtesy of Ligonier.org/blog. 23 November, 2016. para. 2. Web. Accessed 27 October, 2019. Retrieved from https://www.ligonier.org/blog/difference-between-being-judgmental-and-exercising-discernment/

Our Exceptional God

A Poem of Discernment

July 20, 2016 Gracie

poem of discernment Sometimes the beginning of a poem I could write just pops into my head, seemingly out of nowhere.

Usually, it’s when I don’t have a pen and a piece of paper!

My latest one, “A Poem of Discernment,” basically started writing itself when I was out on the back porch one evening.

Tares Among the Wheat

I was thinking about some of the false teachers out there. My husband and I get into some pretty long discussions about them. Unfortunately, in today’s world, there are many false teachers.

One example is the prosperity preachers and their promise of riches for tithes.

Another example is the increasing deception that there’s more than one path to God.

apostasy

I know you’ve heard of wolves in sheep’s clothing. The Bible is very clear on this matter.

Acceptance of “many paths to God” diminishes the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Man-made philosophies designed to make people feel good about their sins is apostasy.

The Good News

God has promised us so much more than the world as it is.

His glorious resurrection grants eternal life to all Christians. We have victory through the Cross!

A Poem of Discernment
Lord, give us discernment in the coming days,
false teachers on the rise who try to amaze,
with signs and wonders that don’t hold true,
the only real miracles come from You.

You taught us to test
every claim against Scripture.
It’s as simple as that,
why don’t some get the picture?

Your Word, absolute truth,
but some continue to deny,
they laugh and they scoff
bought into Satan’s lie.

Christians, stay strong
for temptations will come,
but rest in the knowing
that to Him you belong

Reading the Word
Thoughtful immersion,
Remember the enthusiasm
at your conversion?

Shine His light to the world
and tell of His love,
the Father will bless you
from Heaven above.

As for the Lost,
they do need our prayer.
It’s our true calling
to make them aware
to seek His forgiveness
because He truly does care.

Our Exceptional God