There will even be Christians saying that there are contradictions. For example, we know David killed Goliath. But then in 2 Samuel 21:19 and 1 Chronicles 20:5, Elhanan is mentioned as killing Goliath. What we should realize is that this would have been a different Goliath... perhaps "Goliath" was a family name. Or this giant was named after his famous ancestor.
Keeping everything in context - there are no contradictions in the Bible! Therefore, if anyone (man or angel) gives someone a message that is contrary to God's words, then we are to not listen to them. We need to avoid those people or (fallen) angels...
(Galatians 1:6-12) I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
It is was a common expression back then to say, "He would have plucked out his eyes and given them to me" - in order to say something like what we say today - "He would have given the shirt off his back..." therefore this did not reference Paul's eyesight. But Paul did have some sort of physical illness that affected his appearance. (Perhaps that had been his "thorn in his side".)
Even so, the Galatians had accepted Paul as "an angel of God" the first time he met with them. But because the Judaizers had been using both threats and flattery to lure the Galatians away from the church. Paul had written them this letter of concern and encouragement.
Paul didn't mind if others preached to them, just as long as it was sound "biblical" teaching...
(Galatians 4:12-20) I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; 13 but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; 14 and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. 15 Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 16 So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them. 18 But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— 20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
From this we see:
- men and angels will come with messages, just make sure that the messages do not contradict God's words. If they are contrary, we are to ignore the messages and stay away from them (Gal.1:8)
- people see that angels are beautiful and tend to be very receptive to angels of God (Gal.4:14)
Personal experience: I'm not sure how often angels or fallen angels appear to people with messages these days; but in 1823, when he was just 17 years old, Joseph Smith claimed to have been visited by an angel named Moroni.
The angel supposedly told him where to find some gold plates with prophetic messages on them, which (of course) disappeared when he tried to take them away. Eventually Joseph was able to write down all of the instructions from the gold plates, which then became the Mormon scriptures.
It's basically the Bible, but with many, many, MANY alterations. And not surprising - over the years - the Mormon scriptures needed further editing and rewriting. Was there an angel guiding that process? Or was it just men changing more of God's words to better suit the derailed belief system and lifestyle they preferred?
The founder of this religious cult was a "psychic" from upper New York, who had been brought up on fraud charges early on in his "career". And just at the word of this one young man - a story that an angel had visited him, with no other witnesses to the gold plates which opposed many biblical teachings - and thousands of people bought into this story!!!
If an angel actually did visit him, then we know it was a fallen angel (a demon), because what the "angel" gave him was a contrary teaching.
Today's takeaway: if people are so enchanted by the spiritual realm, then why are they not more so with the Holy Spirit? It boggles the mind.
Even believers can struggle with wanting to listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit, who is all-knowing, dwells in all believers to help us. Considering everything that God has done for us and given to us, we should be more than receptive to His guidance and wisdom...
(Galatians 4:13-26) For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
No comments:
Post a Comment