THE REFUGE DEVOTIONAL

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you.” 2 Peter 2:1 NASBS Brothers and sisters in Christ, we live in a day of great technology; It is a day when we can search the entire world looking for answers to questions with a simple touch of our fingers. Because of this, we have a vast amount of information that we must process to consider what is true and what is false. Unfortunately, this is also true concerning the revelation the Lord has left us of Himself, that is only found in the Bible. Notice, I opened this devotion with brothers and sisters in Christ. This immediately directs the heart of every Christian to the Bible, which we hold to as the infallible word of God. So this devotion will not appeal to everyone, but only to those who have the Holy Spirit living inside of them. To everyone else, this seems foolish just as it is written, “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Also, “A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things.”

Now, I do not believe that we have prophets that walk among us today as in the days of Peter. That was for a specific time and the message that they were speaking had to be authenticated by the Apostles. Today, prophesying is forth-telling what has already been canonized as scripture. There is definitely more that can be said about this subject, for I do not believe God is still speaking new revelation about Himself outside of the Bible. This has led to dangerous cults throughout history. But what we do have today are teachers. There are many different churches all around us and we have access to many over the Internet as well. So when it comes to the truth that lies within the Holy Scriptures, you must “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” Therefore let us heed the warning of Peter as well, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”

So then, beloved of God, “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” Understand, there are those who will seek to distort the truth of scripture which is able to set you free from the oppression of this ungodly world. The serpent of old will come to you as an angel of light and he will seek to misconstrue the word of God by adding to it or taking away from it. So, prepare your mind for actions and steward your time well with the Lord. Make sure the study of His word is not lacking in your life. Cry out to Him from the very depths of your heart, “Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, And I shall observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law And keep it with all my heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to dishonest gain. Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways. Establish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You.” As the Lord reveals His truth to you through His word, your heart will be kindled with His love and you will cry out, “Thy word O Lord uplifts my heart, for Thou art a fountain of delight, and Thou has blessed my soul. At all times I will rest myself in Thy excellences, goodness, and loving-kindness. Thou art in Jesus the object of inexpressible joy, and I take exceeding pleasure in the thought of Thee.”