“Dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said to you, “In the last times there will be SCOFFERS (empaiktēs: false teachers) who will follow their own UNGODLY DESIRES.” These are the people who DIVIDE YOU, who follow MERE NATURAL INSTINCTS and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by BUILDING yourselves up in your most holy faith and PRAYING in the Holy Spirit…” (Jude 1:17-20)
NATURAL INSTINCTS TAUGHT BY FALSE TEACHERS:
- FEAR: False teachers say, Fear is our normal emotional response to dangerous circumstances that we believe have the potential to cause death, injury or illness. God’s Word says, “God has NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR (notice rear is a spirit not normal response), but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND.” (2 Tim. 1:7)
- ANXIETY: False teachers say, Anxiety is an uneasy, apprehensive feeling we get when faced with dangerous situations (physical, mental and emotional). God’s Word says, “BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, but in everything by PRAYER and SUPPLICATION, with THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to God; and THE PEACE OF GOD, which surpasses all understanding, WILL GUARD your HEARTS and MINDS through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)
- ANGER AND FRUSTRATION: False teachers say, Sooner or later, survivors will have to cope with frustration when a few of their plans run into trouble. One outgrowth of this frustration is anger. There are many events in a survival situation that can frustrate or anger a person. God’s Word says, “Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm.” (Psa. 37:8) “Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.” (Eccl. 7:9) “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Eph. 4:26-27)
“KEEP YOURSELVES in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to BRING YOU TO ETERNAL LIFE.” (Jude 1: 21)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham