Stay Connected to the Vine
I was speechless as she delivered the ultimatum. Honestly, it about knocked me off my chair. Attend her new church or we could no longer be friends. After years of studying the Bible together, something suddenly shifted. My friend had been embraced by a group of Christians with a different philosophy. As their influence began to dominate her time and regulate her decisions, she dropped former relationships. She invited me to go along, but I felt unusual restraint. Something didn’t feel right, and my husband agreed. It was baffling that our friendship couldn’t continue unless I went with her. I learned it was this group’s standard. All associations were to come only from within. I loved my friend, but I was forced to make the choice. Go with her or walk away forever. While I grieved the loss of her friendship, God gave me wisdom to say no. I had peace in my heart even though none of it made sense. That was many years ago but I am eternally grateful the Lord helped me pay attention to His nudge. That’s what I call “discernment.”
Read Colossians 2:18-23
1. Name some of the signs of false teachers? What is the root of their error?
2. Describe the dilemma Paul is warning the Colossians about?
3. Why will the rules of men perish?
4. What do these rules appear to have but really lack?
5. How does this passage speak to you personally?
Whenever a group promotes themselves as self-righteous and elite, we should proceed with caution. Paul said that those who lose connection with the Head get puffed up with idle notions and human traditions. I’m thankful the Holy Spirit disrupts our peace and keeps us on the right path as we stay close to Him. How vital godly wisdom and discernment are for us! It’s pretty scary to get controlled by those who claim to have an edge on other believers. We need discernment! Pray for it! Don’t lose connection with the Head. Stay vitally connected by abiding in the Vine!
I find that false preachers and teachers cause confusion within our minds – they cause discouragement with the body of people if the people do not wholly believe what they are talking about – if you and I live close to GOD then HE will guide us in our beliefs and if we have the WORD OF GOD – the BIBLE within our lives then we will not be lead astray from the real WORD – this means we are rooted and ground within the BIBLE and with GOD in our lives each day. If you and I are not rooted and ground in the WORD OF GOD – then we can sometimes be lead astray. Paul tells us to let no man hinder us from our reward in worshiping the LORD – letting our flesh lead instead of our mind and the things we have read in the BIBLE – the things we have learned from HIS WORD. We are to Touch not – taste no – handle not – I love this verse in the BIBLE – you and I are in a living world where there is always things coming our way and that is where we really need to be rooted and ground in HIS WORD. We need to pray daily for the LORD to be our leader throughout our lives – you and I have all kinds of rules – regulations in our lives – we have laws to abide by – but if we keep ourselves abiding in the LORD we will be lead the correct way and the BIBLE way. This speaks to me that abiding in CHRIST at all times so that we can know the right way to make sure we get to dwell in HEAVEN with GOD and all of the saints. Loved the lesson and I love abiding in the LORD at all times – GOD is so good and always watching over us – HE sends HIS Angels to lead and guide us each step of the way and HIS WORD to guide our lives each day – We just need to read and study the BIBLE – it tells us everything we need to know in our spiritual walk with the LORD. Wonderful lesson once again – Karen