"If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!" - Galatians 1 Verse 9 (NIV)
You need to be careful about the kind of gospel that you embrace. To avoid embracing the other gospels that Paul warned against, you need to be conversant with the gospel that Paul preached, the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, you need to study your bible thoroughly.
Paul warned Galatians about some preachers who were in the habit of peddling 'a different gospel' which is 'really no gospel at all' (see Galatians 1:6-7).
We have such preachers in our midst today. It's sad. They preach based on motives that have nothing to do with God! Some preach to get personal material benefits, some do so for earthly power and respect. There are various other motives for their preaching.
We have such preachers in our midst today. It's sad. They preach based on motives that have nothing to do with God! Some preach to get personal material benefits, some do so for earthly power and respect. There are various other motives for their preaching.
If you know the Word of God, you can quickly tell whether a preacher is preaching a message from God, or from self, or from the world.
If a preacher tries to put you into bondage through instilling fear, be sure that the preacher is up to no good. Jesus did not leave us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of peace; so, whoever tries to disturb your peace in Christ cannot be working for Christ.
To demonstrate how dangerous and unwanted the gospel of false preachers is, Paul wished that the preachers would be 'eternally condemned!' unless they realize their folly soon enough and mend their ways. If you are not careful, to the point of embracing false doctrine, you may be eternally condemned together with those who preach to you!
The peddlers of false gospels intend to lead people astray, into condemnation and spiritual wasteland; this cannot be God's plan for mankind!
The other gospels are not, cannot, and will never be, in your interest! You need to see through the facade. Test any message against the Word of God and embrace only that which is of sound doctrine. It does not matter that the message comes from somebody you believe to be a great man or woman of God, test it; you may be surprised after you do.
DEVOTIONAL PRAYER
Prayer point for today: That I may live by the Word of God and avoid perverted teachings.
I come to You my God, in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
According to Your Word, Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. Whoever belongs to You journeys consistently along the narrow path called Jesus. That is my desire, heavenly Father; that is what my soul burns for, to walk with Jesus for the rest of my life on earth.
Holy Father, give me a teachable spirit, I pray. Guide me in Your wisdom, so that in my zeal to leave for You, I may never be sidetracked by other gospels, teachings from the belly of the earth!
May the Holy Spirit be with me always; may He interpret Your Word for me, so that I may fully understand what is consistent with Your will and what isn't.
I keep my life surrender unto You, heavenly Father. Take my hands, take my feet, take my mouth and use them to achieve Your will in the world, always.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, Father I pray.
Amen.