02/07/26 BEWARE THE FILTERS

02/07/26 BEWARE THE FILTERS

Beware the filters you have in your life that keep you from receiving God's message clearly. There are many different kinds of filters, including culture, education, family (or community) worldviews, religious (or Biblical or theological) training, occupational (or military) training, social clubs (fraternities, sororities, organizations, clubs), and political (or philosophical mindsets).

#1 Don't let any worldview or any worldly system or association filter your understanding of God's word.
Always filter every worldview through sound Biblical truth.
Bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Throw off that which is obviously not Scriptural, then submit your accumulated baggage (intellectual, social, business, political, religious, theological) to the authority of God's word. Cast off all sin and search your entire life and heart for the "little foxes," which will destroy your spiritual life, and spare not.

We should, and we need to, and we must make changes when we come to Christ (this is not earned salvation, but it is effectual salvation), and we need to keep and continue in a submissive relationship with God after we come to Christ.

#2 Don't expect to get new revelation or special inspiration, or think that you are a chosen channel of truth through which God gives prophecy.
Don't look for or expect or wait for a "special revelation," or "prophecy," or "a word from the Lord." He has already given you His revelation and enlightenment, by His Spirit, through His word. If we don't love and trust God enough to know and understand and follow His word, then our disobedience will make us subject to the leading of spirits, which are not of God.

Getting special leading from God, to do that which He has already given in His word, is not a sign of maturity or spiritual gifting; it is a sign of immaturity, spiritual darkness, disobedience, ignorance and spiritual pride.

As a very shallow Christian, untrained in God's word, I sought to do God's will. But since I was ignorant of God's word I would "Put a fleece before the Lord." It did not take me long to realize that my need for a fleece was a sign of my laziness and shallowness concerning God's word, and my resistance to His will. Quit asking God for signs; He has already given you His word and His Spirit. His Spirit never disagrees with His word and His Spirit does not give you a new revelation. His Spirit gives you enlightenment concerning His word and His will. Yes, God leads, God speaks, God enables, but always in accord with His revelation and your enlightenment. As you grow in grace and knowledge, you will put away childish things. Don't expect God to "baby you." Grow up and be a man.

Whatever leading God gives to you is not to be equated with the gift of prophecy given to New Testament writers and Apostles. God's leading you is not the same as God giving revelation to the New Testament prophets and apostles. God will not make the shallow, unlearned believer into a voice of authority to people who are sitting in darkness.

Don't love the gift.
Love the Giver.

Never let anything filter Bible truth.
Always filter everything through Bible truth.

Of course, this means you need to know Bible truth, not just Bible verses or man-made theological systems.
You need to know the Bible.
You need to understand the Bible.
You need to believe the Bible.
You need to trust the Bible.
You need to live by the Bible. You need to obey the Bible.
This means...
You need to read the Bible.
You need to study the Bible.