We are living in the greatest era of deception this world has ever known. It is dark and getting darker by the hour it seems –Especially for believers.
Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and an ever-growing number of social media platforms are filled with self-proclaimed biblical scholars, preachers, teachers, and prophets.
I would like to say that these media platforms are the heart of the problem, but the truth is, they really aren’t.
As always, the heart of the problem is the heart of man.
Human beings are inherently religious.
Unfortunately, they are not inherently righteous.
You Can’t Customize God
Man was created in the image of God, but he is constantly attempting to recreate God in his own image.
People are shopping for a God that caters to their own desires – a God that justifies their individual rebellion against scripture.
It really shouldn’t be a surprise to any studied believer. After all, we were duly warned.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Timothy 4:3
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: slumbereth not.
2 Peter 2:1-3
Scriptural lies and half-truths get more likes, follows, and shares than biblical truth. And on social media, that’s everything. When you encounter these “teachers” and “prophets” you need to ask yourself, are they doing this for the prestige and a huge following (that is often monetized)? Or do they truly just want to teach the word and reach sincere believers?
Too Many Voices is Chaos
I do not believe that any ministry is or should be above examination but at some point, we all have to choose who we are going to listen to.
I thoroughly believe that everyone is responsible for their own prayer life and study of the scriptures. Having said that, the scriptures teach discipleship.
If we all have to begin at zero and dig out every truth for ourselves, we will mature far too slowly. When someone disciples you, they help you grow in God. They help you mature and deepen your relationship with Him. They give you the tools to study for yourself and learn to recognize what is truth and what is deception.
Most of all, it is one voice teaching and guiding. It is one voice helping you discern the truth and root out the lies.
It is in order with no doctrinal confusion.
In other disciplines, the student sits under the teacher and doesn’t dabble in other teaching or go looking at what someone else is teaching. No, they sit with that teacher, master, whatever that discipline calls them, and they learn.
They do it in other disciplines, so why not the most important one?
The disciples certainly never ventured out to explore other teachings, they remained with Yeshua.
I believe in discipleship. I also believe some degree of respect is due to the individual taking the time to invest in discipling others.
Perhaps I’m just an old man. I began this walk before anyone had even thought about the internet or social media.
I began my pursuit of truth in a time when you had a pastor to teach you, knees to pray on and a bible to study.
I believe the old model is the best model.
Social media introduces too many voices. More to the point, it introduces too many voices that are contrary to biblical truth – many of which will put your soul in jeopardy.
So many voices only lead to confusion, so many conflicting opinions create chaos. It would seem that all this information would cause us to grow more quickly but it turns out that is not the case.
Why? Because so many are dead wrong.
If all these voices were correct – if all these voices were sincere – what a blessing that would be!
Sadly, they are not.
Teaching the Word is Often Not the Main Objective
The fact is, the majority of them are driven by ego, covetousness, a desire to be worshipped, and the like.
And if their content is monetized, well, there’s even more incentive to focus on getting more followers and engagement than on teaching truth.
They are indeed making merchandise of the people – many of whom are sincerely seeking biblical truth. Sincere believers who are little more than pawns in a quest for fame, money, and prestige.
They are wolves preying on sincere believers, using their love of God and desire for a relationship with Him to manipulate them and many times imprison them with deceit.
Unfortunately, many people love to have it this way, yes, even those who profess to love God. That is the nature of sin, it promises to satisfy the immediate desire the easy way.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Matthew 16:24
Deny yourself?
That is the heart of the matter. In order to become like Yeshua, we will all have to die to self continually. It is the process by which we put off what we have been and become what our God desires for us to be.
It is intentionally difficult.
Ripping the Mask Off of the False Teacher
The false teacher always offers you an easier way. A way that allows you to keep your pet sin.
The false teacher always has a thousand reasons why the scripture really doesn’t mean what it says.
The first rule of biblical interpretation is to let the bible interpret the bible.
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Peter 1:20-21
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
To rightly divide the word means to interpret scripture by scripture. The moment we begin to seek outside definitions of the scriptures we are opening ourselves to error.
The scriptures themselves are a bit of a test. It takes time to get to know them as it takes time to know the God that wrote them. If you aren’t interested in knowing the word of God for yourself then you have confessed that you don’t really want to know him.
I have found social media useful but I’m also aware of the dangers. I would never suggest it as a primary source of biblical instruction to those that haven’t become very familiar with the bible itself-it’s just too dangerous.
And if you don’t have a solid prayer life, it’s best to leave it alone. And when it comes to theological instruction, run far away!
There will only be two types of people that read what has been written here. Those that truly want the truth and those that are still religious.
To the religious, look elsewhere this isn’t for you.
To those seeking truth, your bible is your best friend and prayer is what makes it come alive. Get alone with the book and its author and leave social media false prophets alone.
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