October is when the world focuses on all things scary and those things that go bump in the dark. I remember when my family visited a theme park where a loud speaker inside a dark ride’s loading ramp blared the warning, “Beware…turn back!” My daughter became afraid and we left before the ride started and walked into the light of day.
I explained to my young daughter that none of the things seen on the ride were real. Once she knew the truth she relaxed and dismissed the images she’d seen and frightful sounds she’d heard as make believe.
We, as Christians, are faced with false teachings clothed in a manner of truth.
I met a lady in college that handed out pamphlets to students as soon as they walked off campus. She was a lovely lady and seemed to be very interested in our spiritual conditions. As I headed off campus she handed me a colorful pamphlet. Not knowing much about her and her beliefs, I stuck the pamphlet in my purse and went about my day. When I went home for the weekend I showed the pamphlet to my local pastor.
He said the best way not to be deceived was to know the truth. He then said to put any teaching I was not familiar with under the microscope of the Bible.
I was so happy after looking over the pamphlet with him and comparing it to God’s word, to find it truthful and God-honoring.
I thought about how attractive Satan can make lies to seem as truth and use any tactic to pull God’s people away from the path of truth.
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15 NIV
My second year at college the “pamphlet-lady,” June, and I became good friends. She invited me along with other students to her church, which was the same denomination as mine. Her church was blessed with a college and career development class, along with a teacher who enjoyed our age group. We learned a lot from that class for which I will always be grateful. June stayed in touch with many of us over the years and kept us in her prayers.
A few years ago I attended June’s funeral. Several of us where there to pay tribute to one who had taken such interest in so many of us and to let June’s family know how she had invested her time into our lives. I found out then that her son had died while a college student and she had made reaching students for Christ her mission. What an inspiration she was!
A REMINDER: As this season-of-fright comes about BE AWARE in all areas of our lives. Remember, as my pastor said all those years ago, “Put all teaching under the scrutiny of God’s word.” Beware of the false teachings wrapped up under the label of fun.
“Where I found truth there found I my God, Who is truth itself.”
Augustine
