Hosted by TruLight Ministries – The Place of Truth
The word doctrine means “teaching.” Christian doctrine is the central body of teachings about God, the gospel, and the Christian faith. These doctrines are the truths passed down through the generations as “the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” (Jude 1:3). Scripture provides the litmus test believers can use to judge doctrine as either true or false. If a belief or teaching agrees with the Word of God, it is sound doctrine. If it contradicts Scripture, it is a false doctrine.
The Bible tells us that God, by His character, is truth—He is entirely truthful and trustworthy (Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Chronicles 15:3; John 14:6, 17; 1 John 5:20). God’s Word is truth (John 17:17; Psalm 18:30; 119:151). He cannot tell a lie (Hebrews 6:18; Numbers 23:19). The Bible also reveals that God is unchanging and unchangeable in His nature, His plan, and His being (Malachi 3:6; 1 Samuel 15:29; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17). Because God does not change, believers can trust that truth will never change, and neither will doctrine based on truth. It can always be relied upon as the foundation of the principles and beliefs of our faith. We can defend our faith and build our lives on God’s rock-solid, unchanging truth.
The standard for discerning truth from error has always been the Word of God. When the people of Isaiah’s day were tempted to heed false teachers, the prophet pointed them to Scripture: “Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark” (Isaiah 8:20, NLT). The objective measure of God’s Word is how we judge doctrine as either true or false.
Sadly, many churches construct their doctrinal positions on shaky ground. Erroneous teachings occur when the Bible is ignored, dismissed, or mishandled, in whole or in part. We must carefully consider the Scripture’s whole teaching on any given subject. Understanding the context includes studying the literal meaning of the words, placing them in their proper historical and cultural setting, and comparing the teaching with other related passages in the Bible.
Misapplied teachings are nothing new. Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:7, ESV; cf. Isaiah 29:13). False doctrines were rampant in New Testament times, and the Scriptures tell us they will continue to be taught (Matthew 7:15; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1). Paul warns, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3).
Paul was astonished by those in Galatia who were “turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” (Galatians 1:6–9).
If our doctrine is based soundly on Scripture, we can know we are walking in the path God designed for us. However, if we do not study the Word of God for ourselves (2 Timothy 2:15), we risk being led easily into error. Paul taught that an elder of the church must hold firmly to God’s truth “so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9, ESV; see also Titus 2:1). Those who do not hold to sound doctrine should be quickly spotted by their ungodly actions (Titus 1:16; 1 Timothy 1:10).
The Bible includes a solemn warning not to add to or remove anything from God’s Word (Revelation 22:18-19). Instead, Paul urges us to “hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13, NLT).
Sound biblical doctrine refers to teachings that align with the revealed Word of God, the Bible. False doctrines are ideas that add to, take away from, contradict, or nullify the teachings given in God’s Word. For example, any teaching that denies Jesus Christ’s virgin birth is a false doctrine because it contradicts the clear teaching of Matthew 1:18–25. We can judge doctrines that refute the existence of hell as false based on Revelation 20:15, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, and Christ’s own words in Matthew 10:28 and 25:46. Teachings that claim there are many paths to God are directly opposed to the truth that Jesus is the only way of salvation (John 6:35; 10:7; 11:25; 14:6).
The better we know God’s Word, the more equipped we will be to judge doctrine and discern whether it is true or false, sound or in error (Matthew 22:29; Romans 15:4; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Timothy 3:15). We should be discerning, as the Bereans were in Acts 17:11: “They . . . examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” When we follow the lead of the first Christians, we will go far in avoiding the pitfalls of false doctrine. Acts 2:42 sets the standard: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Such devotion will protect us and ensure we stay on the path Jesus set for us.
Die woord leerstelling beteken “onderrig”. Christelike leerstelling is die sentrale liggaam van leerstellings oor God, die evangelie en die Christelike geloof. Hierdie leerstellings is die waarhede wat deur die geslagte oorgedra word as “die geloof wat eenmaal en vir altyd aan God se heilige volk toevertrou is” (Judas 1:3). Die Skrif verskaf die lakmoestoets wat gelowiges kan gebruik om leerstellings as waar of vals te beoordeel. As ‘n oortuiging of leerstelling ooreenstem met die Woord van God, is dit gesonde leerstelling. As dit die Skrif weerspreek, is dit ‘n valse leerstelling.
Die Bybel sê vir ons dat God, volgens Sy karakter, waarheid is—Hy is volkome waaragtig en betroubaar (Deuteronomium 32:4; 2 Kronieke 15:3; Johannes 14:6, 17; 1 Johannes 5:20). God se Woord is waarheid (Johannes 17:17; Psalm 18:30; 119:151). Hy kan nie ‘n leuen vertel nie (Hebreërs 6:18; Numeri 23:19). Die Bybel openbaar ook dat God onveranderlik en onveranderlik is in Sy aard, Sy plan en Sy wese (Maleagi 3:6; 1 Samuel 15:29; Hebreërs 13:8; Jakobus 1:17). Omdat God nie verander nie, kan gelowiges vertrou dat die waarheid nooit sal verander nie, en ook nie leerstellings wat op waarheid gebaseer is nie. Dit kan altyd as die fondament van die beginsels en oortuigings van ons geloof vertrou word. Ons kan ons geloof verdedig en ons lewens bou op God se rotsvaste, onveranderlike waarheid.
Die standaard om waarheid van dwaling te onderskei, was nog altyd die Woord van God. Toe die mense van Jesaja se tyd in die versoeking gekom het om na valse leraars te luister, het die profeet hulle na die Skrif gewys: “Kyk na God se instruksies en leringe! Mense wat sy woord weerspreek, is heeltemal in die duister” (Jesaja 8:20, NLT). Die objektiewe maatstaf van God se Woord is hoe ons leerstellings as waar of vals beoordeel.
Ongelukkig bou baie kerke hul leerstellige posisies op wankelrige grond. Foutiewe leringe vind plaas wanneer die Bybel geïgnoreer, verwerp of verkeerd hanteer word, in geheel of gedeeltelik. Ons moet die hele Skrif se lering oor enige gegewe onderwerp noukeurig oorweeg. Om die konteks te verstaan, sluit in die bestudering van die letterlike betekenis van die woorde, die plasing daarvan in hul behoorlike historiese en kulturele konteks, en die vergelyking van die lering met ander verwante gedeeltes in die Bybel.
Verkeerd toegepaste leringe is niks nuuts nie. Jesus het die skrifgeleerdes en Fariseërs bestraf omdat hulle “leerstellings geleer het wat gebooie van mense is” (Markus 7:7; vgl. Jesaja 29:13). Valse leringe was algemeen in Nuwe-Testamentiese tye, en die Skrif sê vir ons dat hulle steeds geleer sal word (Matteus 7:15; 2 Petrus 2:1; 1 Johannes 4:1). Paulus waarsku: “Want daar sal ‘n tyd kom wanneer die mense die gesonde leer nie sal verdra nie, maar in plaas daarvan ‘n groot aantal leraars sal versamel, volgens hulle eie begeerlikhede, sodat hulle kan sê wat hulle ore wil hoor” (2 Timoteus 4:3).
Paulus was verbaas oor diegene in Galasië wat hulle “tot ‘n ander evangelie gewend het – wat eintlik glad nie ‘n evangelie is nie. Blykbaar bring sommige mense julle in verwarring en probeer hulle die evangelie van Christus verdraai. Maar al sou ons of ‘n engel uit die hemel ‘n ander evangelie verkondig as die een wat ons aan julle verkondig het, laat hulle onder die vloek van God wees! Soos ons reeds gesê het, so sê ek nou weer: As iemand aan julle ‘n ander evangelie verkondig as wat julle aangeneem het, laat hulle onder die vloek van God wees!” (Galasiërs 1:6–9).
As ons leer stewig op die Skrif gebaseer is, kan ons weet dat ons op die pad loop wat God vir ons beplan het. As ons egter nie die Woord van God self bestudeer nie (2 Timoteus 2:15), loop ons die risiko om maklik op ‘n dwaalspoor gelei te word. Paulus het geleer dat ‘n ouderling van die kerk stewig aan God se waarheid moet vashou “sodat hy in staat kan wees om onderrig in die gesonde leer te gee en ook om die wat dit weerspreek, te bestraf” (Titus 1:9, ESV; sien ook Titus 2:1). Diegene wat nie aan die gesonde leer vashou nie, moet vinnig deur hul goddelose dade raakgesien word (Titus 1:16; 1 Timoteus 1:10).
Die Bybel bevat ‘n ernstige waarskuwing om niks by God se Woord by te voeg of daaruit te verwyder nie (Openbaring 22:18-19). In plaas daarvan dring Paulus ons aan om “vas te hou aan die voorbeeld van gesonde leer wat jy van my geleer het, ‘n voorbeeld wat gevorm word deur die geloof en liefde wat jy in Christus Jesus het” (2 Timoteus 1:13, NLT).
Gesonde Bybelse leer verwys na leringe wat ooreenstem met die geopenbaarde Woord van God, die Bybel. Valse leerstellings is idees wat byvoeg tot, wegneem van, weerspreek of die leringe in God se Woord nietig verklaar. Byvoorbeeld, enige lering wat Jesus Christus se maagdelike geboorte ontken, is ‘n valse leerstelling omdat dit die duidelike lering van Matteus 1:18–25 weerspreek. Ons kan leerstellings wat die bestaan van die hel weerlê as vals beoordeel op grond van Openbaring 20:15, 2 Tessalonisense 1:8, en Christus se eie woorde in Matteus 10:28 en 25:46. Leerstellings wat beweer dat daar baie paaie na God is, is direk teenstrydig met die waarheid dat Jesus die enigste weg van verlossing is (Johannes 6:35; 10:7; 11:25; 14:6).
Hoe beter ons God se Woord ken, hoe beter toegerus sal ons wees om leerstellings te beoordeel en te onderskei of dit waar of vals, gegrond of verkeerd is (Matteus 22:29; Romeine 15:4; 1 Petrus 2:2; 2 Timoteus 3:15). Ons moet onderskeidend wees, soos die Bereane in Handelinge 17:11 was: “Hulle het … elke dag die Skrifte ondersoek om te sien of wat Paulus gesê het, waar was.” Wanneer ons die leiding van die eerste Christene volg, sal ons ver kom om die slaggate van valse leerstellings te vermy. Handelinge 2:42 stel die standaard: “Hulle het hulle toewyding aan die leer van die apostels en aan die gemeenskap, aan die breking van brood en aan gebed.” Sulke toewyding sal ons beskerm en verseker dat ons op die pad bly wat Jesus vir ons gestel het.
Bible Verse and Prayer for Today
Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”.
Prayer
“Heavenly Father, give me strength to put You first today, and guide my choices so that all that I do brings glory to Your name. Help me to trust that You will provide for all my needs as I seek to live a life that honors You, in Jesus’ name, Amen and Amen
Bybel Vers en Gebed vir Vandag
Matteus 6:33: “Maar soek eers die koninkryk van God en sy geregtigheid, en al hierdie dinge sal vir julle bygevoeg word.”
Gebed
“Hemelse Vader, gee my die krag om U vandag eerste te stel, en lei my keuses sodat alles wat ek doen, u Naam verheerlik. Help my om te vertrou dat U in al my behoeftes sal voorsien terwyl ek daarna streef om ‘n lewe te lei wat U eer, in Jesus se Naam, Amen en Amen.”
Bible Teaching of the Day
Jesus alerts us to “watch out for false prophets” in Matthew 7:15. He compares these false prophets to wolves in sheep’s clothing. Jesus also tells us how to identify these false prophets: we will recognize them by their fruit (Matthew 7:20).
Throughout the Bible, people are warned about false prophets (Ezekiel 13, Matthew 24:23–27, 2 Peter 3:3). False prophets claim to speak for God, but they speak falsehood. To gain a hearing, they come to people “in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matthew 7:15). No matter how innocent and harmless these teachers appear on the outside, they have the nature of wolves—they are intent on destroying faith, causing spiritual carnage in the church, and enriching themselves. They “secretly introduce destructive heresies,” “bring the way of truth into disrepute,” and “exploit you with fabricated stories” (2 Peter 2:1–3).
The false teachers wear “sheep’s clothing” so they can mingle with the sheep without arousing suspicion. They usually are not up front about what they believe; rather, they mix in some truth with their falsehood and carefully choose their words to sound orthodox. In reality, they “follow their own ungodly desires” (Jude 1:17–18), and “they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed” (2 Peter 2:14).
By contrast, a true prophet teaches God’s Word fully (Deuteronomy 18:20). Wolves in sheep’s clothing twist God’s Word to deceive or influence the audience for their own purposes. Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), and his ministers masquerade as servants of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:15).
The best way to guard against wolves in sheep’s clothing is to heed the warnings of Scripture and know the truth. A believer who “correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) and carefully studies the Bible will be able to identify false prophets. Christians must judge all teaching against what Scripture says. Believers will also be able to identify false prophets by their fruit—their words, actions, and lifestyles. Jesus said, “A tree is recognized by its fruit” (Matthew 12:33; cf. Matthew 7:20). Peter described false teachers as having “depraved conduct” and who “carouse” as “slaves of depravity” (2 Peter 2:2, 13, 19). If a teacher in the church does not live according to God’s Word, he is one of those wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Here are three specific questions to identify false prophets, or wolves in sheep’s clothing:
1) What does the teacher say about Jesus? In John 10:30, Jesus says, “I and the Father are one.” The Jews understood Jesus’ statement as a claim to be God and wanted to stone him (John 10:33). Anyone who denies Jesus as Lord (1 John 4:1–3) is a false prophet.
2) Does the teacher preach the biblical gospel? Anyone who teaches an incomplete or unbiblical gospel is to be eternally condemned (Galatians 1:9). Any gospel apart from what the Bible tells us (1 Corinthians 15:1–4) is not the true good news.
3) Does this teacher exhibit godly character qualities? Jesus said to beware of teachers whose moral behavior does not match what the Bible says. He says we will know wolves in sheep’s clothing by their fruits (Matthew 7:15–20)
It doesn’t matter how large a church a preacher has, how many books he has sold, or how many people applaud him. If he “teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,” then he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing (1 Timothy 6:3).
Bybel Lering vir die Dag
Jesus waarsku ons om “op te pas vir valse profete” in Matteus 7:15. Hy vergelyk hierdie valse profete met wolwe in skaapsklere. Jesus vertel ons ook hoe om hierdie valse profete te identifiseer: ons sal hulle aan hulle vrugte herken (Matteus 7:20).
Dwarsdeur die Bybel word mense gewaarsku teen valse profete (Esegiël 13, Matteus 24:23–27, 2 Petrus 3:3). Valse profete beweer dat hulle namens God praat, maar hulle spreek leuens. Om gehoor te kry, kom hulle na mense “in skaapsklere, maar van binne is hulle wrede wolwe” (Matteus 7:15). Maak nie saak hoe onskuldig en skadeloos hierdie leraars aan die buitekant voorkom nie, hulle het die aard van wolwe – hulle is daarop ingestel om geloof te vernietig, geestelike bloedbad in die kerk te veroorsaak en hulself te verryk. Hulle “voer in die geheim verderflike ketterye in”, “bring die weg van die waarheid in oneer” en “buit julle uit met verdigselstories” (2 Petrus 2:1–3).
Die valse leraars dra “skaapsklere” sodat hulle met die skape kan meng sonder om agterdog te wek. Hulle is gewoonlik nie openhartig oor wat hulle glo nie; eerder meng hulle ‘n mate van waarheid met hul valsheid in en kies hul woorde versigtig om ortodoks te klink. In werklikheid “volg hulle hul eie goddelose begeertes” (Judas 1:17-18), en “hulle hou nooit op met sondig nie; hulle verlei die onstabieles; hulle is kenners in gierigheid” (2 Petrus 2:14).
In teenstelling hiermee leer ‘n ware profeet God se Woord ten volle (Deuteronomium 18:20). Wolwe in skaapsklere verdraai God se Woord om die gehoor te mislei of te beïnvloed vir hul eie doeleindes. Satan self vermom hom as ‘n engel van die lig (2 Korintiërs 11:14), en sy dienaars vermom hom as dienaars van geregtigheid (2 Korintiërs 11:15).
Die beste manier om teen wolwe in skaapsklere te waak, is om die waarskuwings van die Skrif te volg en die waarheid te ken. ‘n Gelowige wat “die woord van die waarheid reg hanteer” (2 Timoteus 2:15) en die Bybel noukeurig bestudeer, sal valse profete kan identifiseer. Christene moet alle leringe beoordeel teen wat die Skrif sê. Gelowiges sal ook valse profete kan identifiseer aan hul vrugte – hul woorde, dade en lewenstyle. Jesus het gesê: “‘n Boom word aan sy vrugte geken” (Matteus 12:33; vgl. Matteus 7:20). Petrus het valse leraars beskryf as mense met “verdorwe gedrag” en wat “swelg” as “slawe van verdorwenheid” (2 Petrus 2:2, 13, 19). As ‘n leraar in die kerk nie volgens God se Woord leef nie, is hy een van daardie wolwe in skaapsklere.
Hier is drie spesifieke vrae om valse profete, of wolwe in skaapsklere, te identifiseer:
1) Wat sê die leraar oor Jesus? In Johannes 10:30 sê Jesus: “Ek en die Vader is een.” Die Jode het Jesus se stelling verstaan as ‘n aanspraak dat hy God is en wou Hom stenig (Johannes 10:33). Enigiemand wat Jesus as Here ontken (1 Johannes 4:1–3) is ‘n valse profeet.
2) Preek die onderwyser die Bybelse evangelie? Enigiemand wat ‘n onvolledige of onbybelse evangelie verkondig, sal ewig verdoem word (Galasiërs 1:9). Enige evangelie buiten wat die Bybel vir ons sê (1 Korintiërs 15:1–4) is nie die ware goeie nuus nie.
3) Toon hierdie onderwyser godvrugtige karaktereienskappe? Jesus het gesê om oppas te wees vir onderwysers wie se morele gedrag nie ooreenstem met wat die Bybel sê nie. Hy sê ons sal wolwe in skaapsklere aan hulle vrugte ken (Matteus 7:15–20).
Dit maak nie saak hoe groot ‘n kerk ‘n prediker het, hoeveel boeke hy verkoop het, of hoeveel mense hom toejuig nie. As hy “’n ander leer leer en nie instem met die gesonde woorde van onse Here Jesus Christus en die leer wat by die godsvrug stem nie”, dan is hy ’n wolf in skaapsklere (1 Timoteus 6:3).
Today’s Devotional
False teachers have insinuated themselves into the Christian church since its inception. They are dangerously deceptive operators with smooth speech and seductive ways. New believers are particularly susceptible to their methods. Ever the passionately protective shepherd, the apostle Peter dedicates an entire chapter to exposing these religious pretenders. In 2 Peter 2:17, he compares them to “wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever” (NKJV).
Peter wants his flock to understand how false teachers operate, learn to spot them, and avoid falling victim to their heresies. His metaphors likening them to “wells without water” and “clouds carried by a tempest” are similar to a portion of Jude’s description of false teachers: “They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever” (Jude 1:12–13, NKJV).
The word Peter uses for “well” actually means “a flowing spring” in the original Greek. When Jesus ministers to the Samaritan woman (John 4:1–26), He uses the same term to describe the soul-satisfying, living water He can supply. A thirsty first-century traveler would immediately understand the disappointment of coming upon a well that promises water but does not deliver. Instead of fresh, thirst-quenching, life-giving fountains, wells without water are hollow and useless, producing nothing but dust, mud, and unquenchable thirst. Like a dried-up spring, false teachers promise much but have zero to offer. They do not teach the gospel truth that Jesus calls “a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). They preach freedom but supply bondage, they guarantee pleasure but furnish anguish, and they promise life but deliver death.
False teachers deny the gospel or distort it through human error (2 Peter 2:3; Colossians 2:8; 1 Timothy 6:20–21) or demonic inspiration (1 Timothy 4:1–2; 2 Corinthians 11:3–4; 1 John 4:1–3). Like Peter, the apostle Paul devotes much energy to exposing false teachers. Skipping the metaphor of “wells without water,” Paul states plainly, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 5:6).
Paul teaches Timothy that false teachers depart from the truth and turn to “meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm” (1 Timothy 1:6–7; see also Titus 1:10–11). He advises the Colossians, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8).
Peter explains that false teachers “secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves” (2 Peter 2:1). False teachers “come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves,” warns Jesus (Matthew 7:15, NLT). Paul affirms, “I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following” (Acts 20:29–30, NLT).
Comparing false teachers to wells without water is Peter’s figurative way of saying the message of false teachers is valueless, meaningless, and useless. Like the rebellious people of Jeremiah’s day, false teachers in the early church had forsaken God, “the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water” (Jeremiah 2:13). Because they reject “the teaching of the wise,” which is “a fountain of life,” they fall into “the snares of death” (Proverbs 13:14; see also Proverbs 14:27).
False teachers hold out a promise of satisfaction for thirsty souls but ultimately leave people parched and in need. Theirs is an empty hope. Their teachings are hollow and void of truth. Like wells without water, they appear to offer life, but they deliver only bondage, destruction, and death.
Vandag se Bemoediging
Valse leraars het hulself sedert die ontstaan daarvan in die Christelike kerk ingesluip. Hulle is gevaarlik misleidende operateurs met gladde spraak en verleidelike maniere. Nuwe gelowiges is veral vatbaar vir hul metodes. As die passievol beskermende herder wy die apostel Petrus ‘n hele hoofstuk daaraan om hierdie godsdienstige voorwendsels te ontmasker. In 2 Petrus 2:17 vergelyk hy hulle met “waterlose fonteine, wolke wat deur ‘n storm gevoer word, vir wie die donkerte van die duisternis vir ewig bewaar word” (NKJV).
Petrus wil hê dat sy kudde moet verstaan hoe valse leraars werk, leer om hulle raak te sien en vermy om slagoffer te word van hul ketterye. Sy metafore wat hulle vergelyk met “waterlose fonteine” en “wolke wat deur ‘n storm gevoer word” is soortgelyk aan ‘n gedeelte van Judas se beskrywing van valse leraars: “Hulle is waterlose wolke wat deur die winde rondgedryf word; laat herfsbome sonder vrugte, twee keer dood, uitgetrek; woedende golwe van die see wat hulle eie skande opskuim; dwalende sterre vir wie die donkerte van die duisternis vir ewig bewaar word” (Judas 1:12–13, NKJV).
Die woord wat Petrus vir “put” gebruik, beteken eintlik “’n vloeiende fontein” in die oorspronklike Grieks. Toe Jesus die Samaritaanse vrou bedien (Johannes 4:1–26), gebruik Hy dieselfde term om die sielversadigende, lewende water te beskryf wat Hy kan voorsien. ’n Dorstige eerste-eeuse reisiger sou onmiddellik die teleurstelling verstaan om op ’n put af te kom wat water belowe, maar nie lewer nie. In plaas van vars, dorslesende, lewegewende fonteine, is putte sonder water hol en nutteloos en produseer niks anders as stof, modder en onlesbare dors nie. Soos ’n opgedroogde fontein belowe valse leraars baie, maar het niks om te bied nie. Hulle leer nie die evangelie-waarheid wat Jesus “’n fontein van water wat opborrel tot in die ewige lewe” noem nie (Johannes 4:14). Hulle verkondig vryheid, maar verskaf slawerny, hulle waarborg plesier, maar verskaf angs, en hulle belowe lewe, maar bring die dood.
Valse leraars ontken die evangelie of verdraai dit deur menslike foute (2 Petrus 2:3; Kolossense 2:8; 1 Timoteus 6:20–21) of demoniese inspirasie (1 Timoteus 4:1–2; 2 Korintiërs 11:3–4; 1 Johannes 4:1–3). Soos Petrus, wy die apostel Paulus baie energie daaraan om valse leraars te ontmasker. Paulus slaan die metafoor van “waterlose putte” oor en sê duidelik: “Laat niemand julle met leë woorde mislei nie, want daardeur kom die toorn van God oor die ongehoorsames” (Efesiërs 5:6).
Paulus leer Timoteus dat valse leraars van die waarheid afwyk en hulle tot “sinnige praatjies wend. Hulle wil leraars van die wet wees, maar hulle weet nie waarvan hulle praat of wat hulle so vol vertroue beweer nie” (1 Timoteus 1:6–7; sien ook Titus 1:10–11). Hy adviseer die Kolossense: “Pasop dat niemand julle gevange neem deur leë en misleidende filosofie wat gebaseer is op menslike oorlewering en die elementêre geestelike kragte van hierdie wêreld in plaas van op Christus nie” (Kolossense 2:8).
Petrus verduidelik dat valse leraars “in die geheim verderflike ketterye invoer, selfs die soewereine Here wat hulle gekoop het, verloën en ‘n vinnige verderf oor hulleself bring” (2 Petrus 2:1). Valse leraars “kom vermom as skadelose skape, maar in werklikheid is hulle wrede wolwe,” waarsku Jesus (Matteus 7:15). Paulus bevestig: “Ek weet dat valse leraars, soos wrede wolwe, onder julle sal inkom nadat ek weg is en die kudde nie sal spaar nie. Selfs sommige van julle eie groep sal opstaan en die waarheid verdraai om ‘n volgeling te lok” (Handelinge 20:29–30).
Om valse leraars met putte sonder water te vergelyk, is Petrus se figuurlike manier om te sê dat die boodskap van valse leraars waardeloos, betekenisloos en nutteloos is. Soos die rebelse mense van Jeremia se tyd, het valse leraars in die vroeë kerk God, “die fontein van lewende water, verlaat en hulle eie reënbakke gegrawe, gebarste reënbakke wat nie water kan hou nie” (Jeremia 2:13). Omdat hulle “die leer van die wyse manne” verwerp, wat “’n fontein van die lewe” is, val hulle in “die strikke van die dood” (Spreuke 13:14; sien ook Spreuke 14:27).
Valse leraars hou ’n belofte van bevrediging vir dorstige siele in, maar laat mense uiteindelik dor en in nood. Hulle hoop is leë. Hulle leringe is hol en sonder waarheid. Soos putte sonder water, lyk dit asof hulle lewe bied, maar hulle bring slegs slawerny, vernietiging en dood.
The Collectors of Manna – Women of the Word // Gaarders van Manna – Vroue van die woord
Dilize Light has Managed a TruLight Ladies Group on Telegram for the Past 6 Years and from Today . she will be Sharing her Manna with the Ladies in The TruLight Daily Manna Platform . Dilize is the only Daughter of Pastor Dirk and has been part of the Ministry since the age of 11 . Dilize is also the Radio Host for the Popular TruLight Top 10 that airs on TruLight Radio XM saturdays at 17h00′
Dilize Light bestuur die afgelope 6 jaar ‘n TruLight Damesgroep op Telegram en van vandag af sal sy haar Manna met die Dames deel op die TruLight Daaglikse Manna-platform. Dilize is die enigste dogter van Pastoor Dirk en is deel van die bediening sedert die ouderdom van 11. Dilize is ook die radio-aanbieder vir die gewilde TruLight Top 10 wat Saterdae om 17:00 op TruLight Radio XM uitgesaai word.
Liefde, Wat My Nooit Laat Gaan:
Liefde is die sentrale punt van groeiende en belowende verhoudinge. Die Bybel leer ons dat dit God se wil is dat ons Hom van harte moet liefhê en ons naaste soos onsself, ja, en dat ons selfs ons vyande moet liefhê. Maar dis moeilik om lief te hê as dit voel asof die ander persoon nie vir jou omgee nie. Verwaarloosde kinders, eggenotes wat voel dat hulle geïgnoreer word en ouers wat van hulle kinders vervreemd is, ken almal die pyn wat ń gebrek aan liefde meebring.
So, vir almal wat miskien vandag ń behoefte aan liefde voel, kan ek die versekering gee dat jy innig deur die Here bemin word. Dink net aan die impak wat sy dood, daar aan die kruis, in die wêreld gemaak het !
Mediteer oor die feit dat, indien jy Hom vertrou en in Hom glo en vergifnis vra sal sy liefde al jou sonde en mislukkings uitwis en jou beklee met geregtigheid ( Rom 3:22-24 ).
Verbly jou in die wete dat niks jou van sy liefde kan skei nie ( Rom 8:39 ). Aanvaar die liefdevolle voorsiening en die wonderlike toekoms wat Hy vir jou bewerk het en die ewige lewe wat Hy aan jou gegee het ( Joh 3:16 ).
Wanneer Johannes ons beveel om mekaar lief te hê, noem hy ons geliefdes ( 1 Joh 4:11 ), sien ook 1 Joh 3:1,2 ). Sodra jy besef en aanvaar hoe wonderlik God se liefde vir jou is, sal dit baie makliker wees om ander lief te hê en ń liefdevolle persoon te wees.
Deur God se liefde vir onsself te aanvaar, is die sleutel om liefde aan ander te betoon.
Love, That Never Lets Me Go:
Love is the centerpiece of growing and promising relationships. The Bible teaches us that it is God’s will that we love Him with all our hearts and that we love our neighbors as ourselves, yes, and that we should love even our enemies. But it is difficult to love when it feels as if the other person does not care about you. Neglected children, spouses who feel ignored, and parents who are estranged from their children all know the pain that comes from a lack of love.
So, to all who may be feeling a need for love today, I can assure you that you are deeply loved by the Lord. Just think of the impact that His death, there on the cross, has made in the world!
Meditate on the fact that if you trust Him and believe in Him and ask for forgiveness, His love will erase all your sins and failures and clothe you with righteousness ( Rom 3:22-24 ).
Rejoice in the knowledge that nothing can separate you from His love ( Rom 8:39 ). Accept the loving provision and the wonderful future He has made for you and the eternal life He has given you ( John 3:16 ).
When John commands us to love one another, he calls us beloved ( 1 John 4:11 ), see also 1 John 3:1,2 ). Once you realize and accept how wonderful God’s love for you is, it will be much easier to love others and be a loving person.
Accepting God’s love for ourselves is the key to showing love to others.
TruLight Ministries Daily Entertainment
TruLight TV – Popcorn & MOVIE TIME – THE BOOK OF RUTH: JOURNEY OF FAITH
This movie is an adaptation of “The Book Of Ruth” from the bible. Powerful themes of tolerance and acceptance gained through love and understanding shine in this production.
Today on TruLight Radio XM
TruLight Radio XM 24/7
Program
GMT / UTC +2
Monday To Fridays
00:15 Words to Live By Testimonies
01.15 Science Scripture and Salvation
02.15 Ground Works
04.00 Gospel Concert of the Day
05.00 The Daren Streblow Comedy Show
5:55 It is Today devotional
6:00 Gaither Homecoming Morning Show
7:15 Discover the Word
8.15 Destined for Victory
8:55 Science Scripture and Salvation
9:00 Holy Spirit Hour – Normally Sermons
10:15 Hope of the Heart
11:15 Unshackled
11.45 Words to Live By
12:15 Truth for Life
13:15 Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram
14:15 Focus on the Family
15:00 Kids Hour
16:00 In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley
16:30 Groundwork
17:15 Live in the Light
18:15 Renewing your Mind
19:00 Gaither Homecoming Show
20:15 Growing Hope
21:15 Adventures in Odyssey Radio Drama
21:45 Bible Reading
22:15 Nightsounds
23.00 Good Old Country Gospel / Rhema Gospel Express
VISIT THE WEBSITE
https://TruLightRadioXM.org.za
Bible Prophecy in the News
Preterism Is Creeping Into the Church: Why It’s So Dangerous
Did you know that some people actually believe Jesus has already returned? These people are called preterists, from the Latin word preter, meaning “past.” They believe that all (or most) of the Bible’s prophecies have already been fulfilled.
Did you know that some people actually believe Jesus has already returned? These people are called preterists, from the Latin word preter, meaning “past.” They believe that all (or most) of the Bible’s prophecies have already been fulfilled.
In its most extreme form, Preterism claims that Jesus came back to Earth, that there is no future resurrection of the dead, and that we now live in a spiritualized version of the new heavens and new earth.
Preterists maintain these views because they do not hold to a literal, historical, grammatical interpretation of Scripture. Remarkably, Preterism is on the rise in the American church; and Christians should be aware of some of the issues involved.
What Is Preterism?
There are two versions of Preterism.
Full Preterism teaches that all of the Bible’s prophecies were fulfilled around AD 70 and that the prophecies of God’s judgment in Matthew 24, Revelation, and elsewhere describe events during the war between Rome and the Jewish people leading up to AD 70, when Rome sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the Second Temple.
Preterists teach that these prophecies describe God’s rejection of Israel and the Jewish people. Full Preterism reasons that, because some passages indicate the end will happen “soon,” these prophecies had to be fulfilled in the lifetime of Jesus’ disciples–including prophecies of God’s judgment on the nations, Jesus’ return, and the creation of the new heavens and new earth.
This position is heresy because it rejects the future Second Coming of Christ, says we shouldn’t expect anyone will be resurrected, and maintains that the current state of the world is essentially its final form.
Partial Preterism (orthodox Preterism) tries to avoid the weaknesses of Full Preterism. Its well-known proponents include Gary DeMar, Kenneth Gentry, and the late R. C. Sproul. This version teaches that most but not all Bible prophecies were fulfilled, but Revelation 20–22 is still future. In other words, it recognizes the difficulty of claiming that God wrapped up all of His plans in the past.
Most partial preterists end up postmillennialists (believing Jesus will return after the Millennium [thousand-year reign]) or amillennialists (believing there is no Millennium) and frequently teach Replacement Theology: that God has replaced Israel with the church.
Know the Danger
The danger of Preterism is threefold:
- It denies the literal interpretation of Scripture. Preterists intentionally employ allegorical interpretations for many of the symbols in Revelation 4–19. For example, the beasts in chapter 13 are not the Antichrist and False Prophet but, rather, symbols for Roman Emperor Nero (AD 54-68). Partial preterists switch interpretive methods for the last three chapters and arbitrarily claim that Revelation 20–22 is still future, though they don’t believe all of it will be fulfilled literally.
Allegorical interpretation muddies the waters. However, the properly employed discipline of literal interpretation across all of Scriptures’ genres, including prophecy, leads to a consistently clear and compelling understanding of what the text meant to the original audience and what it means to us today. We don’t have to be lost in the subjectivity of symbolism and allegory.
- It leads to an insipid form of Christian antisemitism. Preterists claim the prophecies of worldwide judgment were fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, as though Israel were God’s real target. However, the obvious conclusion from Daniel, Matthew 24–25, Revelation, and other prophecies is that God will judge all the nations of the earth with the events of the Tribulation, not merely Israel. Preterism’s certainty that God has judged and rejected Israel is not found anywhere in the Bible, and its interpretation falls far short of the scope of the judgment described in these prophecies.
Preterists claim that Revelation was written to give hope to Christians during the difficult days of the Roman war with the Jewish people. But what conclusion should a Christian reading it today draw if that were true? A conclusion that says it’s acceptable for Christians to treat Jews with contempt because God has judged and rejected Israel and raised up a new people for Himself, namely, the church.
This reasoning has repeatedly led Christians to participate in pogroms, expulsions, and the murder of countless Jewish people throughout history. Scripture does not teach that God has rejected Israel or cast the Jewish people aside in favor of the church.
- It misinterprets important passages. Preterists use two basic arguments to support their belief that all prophecy has been fulfilled: They claim Jesus taught (in Matthew 16:28; 10:16-25; 24:1-51; Revelation 1:1; 22:6-7) that all would be fulfilled in the lifetime of the 12 disciples or their generation, and they claim Revelation was written in AD 65.
First, their interpretation of these passages is highly disputed. Jesus was not teaching that He would return in the disciples’ lifetime; otherwise, He would have been lying. Broadly speaking, He was affirming the continued existence of the Jewish people until the end-times. He wasn’t abandoning them, and they will be part of His plans.
Second, virtually every scholar agrees that Revelation was written in AD 90s, during the reign of Domitian, as attested to by the church fathers. To satisfy John’s claim that he was writing a “prophecy” (Rev. 1:3), preterists argue Revelation was written in AD 65 and that it spoke of the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. To use AD 90 with their interpretation would mean John was writing history, not prophecy.
Prophecy is always meant to give readers hope. Hope that God will do what He says. Hope that, despite the pain and suffering we face, God has a plan to win the day. Hope that God will bring justice and healing to this broken world. What hope does God offer us today if the book of Revelation says nothing about our futures?
Jesus is coming back. There is a future Second Advent. And when Christ does return to Earth, all eyes will see Him. There will be no mistaking His grand entrance: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Mt. 24:29-30).
We haven’t somehow unknowingly slipped into the new heavens and new earth or the Millennial Kingdom.
Gog and Magog Update
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said the Trump administration is preparing a plan for post-war governance of the Gaza Strip, suggesting that Israel’s war against Hamas is nearing its end.
“Yes, we’ve got a large meeting in the White House tomorrow, chaired by the president, and it’s a very comprehensive plan we’re putting together” for post-war Gaza, Witkoff told Fox News on Tuesday.
Witkoff did not provide details on who would participate in the meeting or which international bodies or countries might be tasked with governing the enclave once the fighting ends.
When pressed for more specifics about the plan, he said, “many people are going to see how robust it is and how well-meaning it is, and it reflects President Trump’s humanitarian motives.”
Witkoff also offered a timeline for ending the conflict that differed from Trump’s most recent prediction.
“We think that we’re going to settle this one way or another, certainly before the end of this year,” he said — just a day after Trump hinted that the war should be over by mid-September.
Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel has no intention of ruling Gaza after Hamas is defeated.
“We don’t want to keep it. We want to have a security perimeter. We don’t want to govern it. We don’t want to be there as a governing body,” Netanyahu said.
“We will never hand [Gaza] over to the Palestinian Authority or Hamas,” he added.
“We want to hand it over to Arab forces that will govern it properly, without threatening us, and giving the Gazans a good life.”
Samir Halilah, a businessman living in Canada and originally from Jericho, said that the Trump administration had asked him to lead a transitional government in Gaza.
TruLight Ministry News
TruLight Ministries orders from God since 2012 . Teach Them , Comfort Them and Warn Them!
////////////
TruLight Ministries opdrag vanaf God sedert 2012. Leer hulle, Troos hulle en Waarsku hulle!
Share this Feeding of Manna with your Friends and Family. just click on the Social Media icon and share !
