Bible For Foreigners

Guarding the Ear-Gate

In Mark 4:24 the Lord warns us to Take heed what ye

hear. The sound Scriptural basis for examining the things we hear

teachers or pastors say is found in this verse. There are many

godly shepherds who love their flocks, yet the Lord knew there

would be those that would come in sheep’s clothing, so He admonished

us to “watch.” A pastor who tells his flock that he alone

has full revelation from God is, at best, vain and narrow- minded,

and at worst, satanic. Such a shepherd is putting himself in the

position of God. In effect, he is saying that God speaks only through

him.

The Holy Spirit does not force, coerce, intimidate, or use

fear to direct us. He always gives us choice and freedom. Anything

that brings bondage is not of the Lord, and neither is anything

that involves domination of another. It is the enemy, Satan,

working through people that will cause them to dictate to others

because it gives them the feeling of power. They want to control

the lives and thinking of everyone with whom they deal.

Some people submit to this sort of doctrine because they

refuse to take responsibility for making their own decisions. God

does not intend for people to evade responsibilities for their lives

and their actions. God intends for us to grow spiritually throughout

our lifetime. There is no possibility of growth if we don’t

make decisions and live with the consequences of those decisions.

Certain people want to roll blithely through life absolved of all

responsibility. Those with weak wills fall prey to the enemy coming

through false prophets. We are warned to beware.