False teachings are being played out on city streets.
1 John 4:1 – Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Philosophy classes early in the college years historically have set out to teach aspects of critical thinking with focus on Hellenistic philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Some have thrown in ideas from other ancients—the Chinese, the Aztecs, and the Persians. Others will even dare, in these more modern times, to tell how the spread of Christianity ushered in the end of Hellenistic philosophy. Beginning somewhere in the second half of the last century, a more modern cynicism theory has taken hold, characterized by a general distrust in the motives and words of others. It has brought about a general lack of faith or hope in people operating from a standpoint of love and compassion for one another, replacing it with a “me-first-ism” and greed. These teachings are being played out in the nation’s city streets with a total unlawful disregard for other human beings or for property.
The influence of Christianity—of individuals who are committed to the Lord Jesus Christ, in particular, is necessary to the survival of the American culture!
The Apostle Paul was surrounded by high levels of Hellenistic thinking in his day, and he exposed it in 1 Corinthians, Colossians, and Galatians as not worthy of taking up space in the mind of the believer. Colossians 1:23 says, “Continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven.”
John in today’s verse, suggests that you not believe everything that you hear, but test what you are being told against the Word of God.
Pray With Us
Heavenly Father, You are the Source of my hope. Knowledge of You and Your Son Jesus, and of Your plan for humankind, makes my soul grieve as I watch the riots on the streets of America. Our young people have no regard for anything…and some even say their own lives are futile. Help me, Blessed God, to be a beacon of light and truth and hope to this hurting world, especially whenever I can touch the life of a young person. Let me be quick to share the Only Hope for Redemption—your Beloved Son, Jesus, in Whose Name I pray,
Amen.
