Delight Yourself in the Lord Devotionals

Progressive Thinking - 2 John

We have all seen charismatic people in our lives, whether on t.v. or in person. These are the ones that can sway us to believe and do almost anything. In fact, cult leaders are extremely charismatic. We can see this in the loyalty they have from their followers and in the fact that many would lay down their lives based on the decrees of one man or woman.

God knows that we are all desperately seeking to find purpose and value in this world. He, of course, grants us this in Him, however, we see that many still yearn for that feeling of belonging to something. The church, in large part, fails here. For years, I attended a church where I tried desperately to find my place and I always felt like the third wheel no matter what. It can be difficult, especially in large churches, for a person to feel valued and appreciated.

Sadly, this opens them up for the misdirection of those who would deceive others for their own personal reasons. A great many churches have lost their light and are fumbling in the dark. They speak of great things that are compromises or complete departures from God's Word, accepting sin and its practice and preaching prosperity gospels to those eager to excuse sin or become rich.

2 John, and other places in the Bible, warns the believer about "smooth-talking charlatans" who want to deceive others and have them follow their way of thinking. The Bible is clear about what is sinful and what is not, what is expected of us and what is to be abandoned. Yet, it is easier for us to go along with popular opinion than to stand against the tide and be that voice in the wilderness.

This is not to say, of course, that we are to become angry and confrontational. What this is saying is that we are to be aware of what the Word of God says and we are to live it out, abandoning the sins that are calling our name, and refusing to become "so progressive in [our] thinking that [we] walk out on the teaching of Christ, walk out on God."

Measure what you are believing and hearing against the Word of God. If you find discrepancies and outright lies, seek God for what He desires for you to do. Be alert and vigilant.

Read all of 2 John, the Message Translation, here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20John+1&version=MSG