1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
I love the book of 1st Thessalonians. This was a church established by Paul that had faced incredible persecution and, because of his need to leave quickly, he had not prepared them for what they might face. This letter begins with Paul's love and joy evident as he celebrates their heart to stay faithful to the Lord and embrace the Gospel - even after all they have endured.
In verse five, he gives them three things to look for in a messenger of the Gospel (using himself and his time with them as an example):
The power of God should be evident in their ministry.
The Holy Spirit within us should confirm the Word they are speaking.
Their life away from the pulpit should "prove" their message not "disprove" it.
Having millions of followers or thousands of views on Youtube, does not mean that someone is preaching the pure, undefiled Gospel of Jesus Christ. Influence doesn't always mean accuracy. The Bible speaks a great deal about those who, in the last days, will sugar-coat the message and make it more palatable to our flesh. In 2 Timothy 4, Paul warns Timothy to be on guard against those who turn people's ears away from the truth and make them believe "fables."
We must be careful who we listen to, who we follow, and who we look to for Spiritual Guidance. Who they are away from the pulpit matters as much as what they speak behind the pulpit. Their life should preach the same Gospel their mouths declare.
And in this day and age where there are so many places we can turn and so many voices we can listen to, where truth is "relative" and "whatever feels right" is allowed- KNOWING the Word of God is ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL.
We can't fight the lies if we don't know the truth.
I'm going to say that again for the people in the back:
WE CAN'T FIGHT THE LIES IF WE DON'T KNOW THE TRUTH.
2 Timothy 3 verse 6 tells of "weak-willed women" who are easily taken captive by those who would deceive. They are women who are "vulnerable" and can be led astray because of their ignorance.
Oh, my sisters - let this NEVER be a way that we can be described.
Open your Bibles with me.
Let's dig deep into His Word.
Don't know where to start? Ask me.
It is knowing His Word - the TRUTH - that "sets us free (John 8:32)."
And I don't know about you - but freedom sounds a whole lot better than captivity to me.