“Where no counsel is, the people fail: but in the multitude of counselors, there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14 (KJV).
It is so important to
keep company with people of the same faith. The Bible says bad companions corrupt, and we should heed the word. It’s easy to think that your good Christ-like character will rub off on them, but their bad habits and attitudes usually rub off on you. Fellowship with friends and family who can give you godly counsel through the good times and the bad. These people are essential to your faith journey. When you are on edge – they will grab ahold of your shirttail and pull you back. When you are ready to take a leap of faith, they will ensure that your bungee cord is secure. When you are basking in the goodness of God’s blessing – they will rejoice with you. These friends are priceless in navigating the faith journey through this world we live in.
Hebrews 10:24-25 states, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (NIV).
Many feel that going to a brick-and-mortar building (the church) is not essential to their faith. The church can be challenging, but it is the mechanism that Christ gave to us. Difficulties in the church setting God can use to mature and grow us. I have heard many refer to struggles in the church as heavenly sandpaper, smoothing off our rough edges. The church can also be full of blessings. It is where we hear the Word of God expounded. It is where we have the opportunity to serve God and show our gratitude for the grace God has extended to us. It is in the church that we give and receive encouragement. The dictionary defines encouragement as giving someone support, confidence, or hope. At times it can be difficult to be transformed into the image of Christ. Old habits must die, and new ones need to take their place. Much like diet and exercise, we all need encouragement to make a lasting change. We need encouragement to make a spiritual change as well. Make it a point to gather together with other believers regularly.
Today more than ever, false teaching permeates the world we live in. There are many ways that false teaching infiltrates us. We leave ourselves open to false teaching by not being in a church where the truth of the Bible is taught and contradicting the false teaching in the world. Covering our lives with biblical authority is a security check against the enemy seducing you away.
Be on the watch for:
- The Prosperity Gospel: claims health and wealth for its followers rather than a Savior that reconciles them to God
- The Personal Gospel: Also known as the self-help gospel or the me-first gospel.
- Political Gospel: It does not reference any particular governmental party but a position in our hearts. It is a difference between what they claim to believe and what they actually practice, lulling them into false security for these people.
The devil seeks to destroy us with his lies and false teaching, but fear not! God can keep us. Romans 12:1 declares, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Seek Him, my beloved.
