A recent survey of 1,871 self-described Christians in the United States produced shocking results. Just the title of the article that reports on this is shocking: “Most American Christians Do Not Believe that Satan or the Holy Spirit Exist.”
As an example of the ground being lost in the Truth War, 40% of these so-called Christians strongly agreed that Satan “is not a living being but only a symbol of evil.” Another 19% of them said they “agree somewhat” with that perspective. A minority of Christians disagreed. Twenty-six percent (26%) disagreed strongly, and 9% disagreed somewhat. The remaining 8% were unsure what they believed about the reality or symbolism of Satan.
The same survey revealed that tens of millions of so-called Christians do not even accept the core teaching of the deity and perfection of Jesus Christ. More than one-fifth (22%) strongly agreed that Jesus Christ sinned when He lived on earth, with an additional 17% agreeing somewhat! Holding the opposing view were 9% who disagreed somewhat and 46% who disagreed strongly. Six percent did not have an opinion on this matter!
But, beloved, these folks were entertained. Their ears were tickled. They no doubt sat in churches who would not confront issues with Bible truth. They got warm fuzzy feelings about the stories they heard and the dramas that were presented in place of expository teaching. Their churches may have said the Bible was their “only rule for faith and practice,” but they only gave lip service to that creed in their rush to entertain, meet “felt needs,” and gain popularity.
I believe Paul spoke of this when he wrote 2 Timothy 4:3-4: "FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE; BUT WANTING TO HAVE THEIR EARS TICKLED, THEY WILL ACCUMULATE FOR THEMSELVES TEACHERS IN ACCORDANCE TO THEIR OWN DESIRES, AND WILL TURN AWAY THEIR EARS FROM THE TRUTH AND WILL TURN ASIDE TO MYTHS."
So what are we to do? How are we to survive this onslaught of apostasy? For the preacher, follow Paul’s advice to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:5: "BUT YOU, BE SOBER IN ALL THINGS, ENDURE HARDSHIP, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY." For the parishioner, endure sound doctrine. "Make your ear attentive to wisdom and incline your heart to understanding" (Proverbs 2:2). If you do, the Word of God will do its work in those who believe and we will win the Truth War. We will endure to the end.
Oh, the end. It will soon be worth it all!!
Pastor Paul Guay
3 comments:
I am shocked at those statistics!! I can't believe, first, that people don't believe there is a satan.. wait, "Christians"don't believe. Second, it's amazing to me that people actually believe Jesus sinned while on this earth. WOW. It seems it would be easier to believe there was no Jesus then to believe he sinned. Yet these people are claiming to worship an imperfect being??? Makes no sense.
Well said, Pastor! Thank you for these edifying words!
James Spencer, in his latest newsletter, writes: "The devil is seductive. He is the present ruler of this world and god of this age (2Cor 4:4; Luke 4:6; John 14:30). He is a brilliant and convincing enemy of the believer's soul. He woos us gently and expertly into his lair. We find ourselves too easily 'had' ".
Keep it coming!
Keep tickling those ears! I ditto what Em said too! How can people believe in a Jesus who sinned and then claim to follow and worship him? Why would we worship a man?
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