Always Be In The Truth

Hosea continued...

Scripture:
Hosea 4:7- 9 (ESV)

The more they increased,
    the more they sinned against me;
    I will change their glory into shame.
They feed on the sin of my people;
    they are greedy for their iniquity.
And it shall be like people, like priest;
    I will punish them for their ways
    and repay them for their deeds.

Devotional:

The priests’ sinned, they failed to teach God’s people His ways.  Israel has gone astray partly because of the priests.  One thing is for sure.  God will not tolerate false teachings and leading His people away from Him.  Throughout the Bible God warns against false teachings.  In Ezeliel 13:9 we are told this,

My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God.

In Jeremiah 23:16,

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.”

God is clear not to lead His people in false teachings.  That was happening and what Hosea warned against.  Look around us today.  Do you see people like those profits?  How much false teaching is there?  Never take someone else’s word for something.  Verify what you are taught by comparing it to what God says in the Bible.  If it doesn’t match up, then don’t listen.  If your church or small group is not teaching truth, it is time to move on.  It is OK to question.  It is OK to confront someone.  We must do it in such a way that we do not fall into sin.  We still need to love and be there to support.  We are to correct one another when necessary.  2 Timothy 2:23-26,

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.  And the Lord's servant[e] must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Be sure not to fall into false teachings.  Verify what is taught.  Verify what you teach.  In a loving and caring way, it is OK to approach others to try and help them see what they are doing is wrong.  Do not be confrontational.  Do not do so in anger or bitterness.  Do not be harsh.  But always be in the TRUTH.  Always verify what you are told, taught, or teach with the Bible.  God loves everyone.  He wants all of us to know Him.  He wants everyone to be saved…