For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. I Corinthians 2:2-5
In our vast search for information, the internet has become a handy and convenient tool. However, it is crucial that we are able to discern the content, especially, when searching for biblical insight or history. Case and point: I stumbled across a site that truly vexed my spirit and as I read the discussions that were posted, some of the questions, as well as the answers at first glance, met all the acceptable conditions for attracting real people with real questions, looking for real answers from a man who claimed to be a pastor. By all standards, as I mentioned, the site gave the “appearance” of being legitimate and he sounded convincing by the stimulating words that provoked thought. However, as I continued to read his responses to the questions posted, I realized that he was clearly leading people astray with his persuasive and well-expressed wording. He offered scripture to support himself and gave answers that would appease the readers because he sounded so wonderful and full of knowledge.
It was apparent that he did not have the wisdom or the knowledge of God, because his was speaking clearly of his own wisdom. He disputed responses that were biblically based and sound, and spirit-filled answers from others because it contradicted what he was saying. I am thankful for those who were willing to speak up and give truthful responses so that the readers could have something to seek God for in the furtherance of their studies. I left the site needless to say, a bit upset but not before posting a comment along with the scripture in II Timothy 4:2-4: "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction..." Now, we would be naïve to think that these types of sites are not in existence because anyone can create a website, post their thoughts and share their belief system. The web is the place where anything goes and we take everything at face value, including the gospel. Unfortunately, if we don’t know our Bible or don’t have an understanding of the word, or not have the spirit of God to help us, the information given can actually seem valid and could possibly lead one astray.
Now, Paul was speaking to the Corinthians to let them know that I determined that I know nothing, even though he was an educated and well versed man. He said truly all I can really attest to is that I know Christ and Christ crucified. He told them even though I was weak among you, fearful and trembling I still preached not of myself, and not on my own but in the wisdom and the power of the Holy Ghost!
We are living in a time when people are searching and looking for truths and the word tells us that there will be those who will falsely mislead. As believers, we are carrying this truth and God has entrusted us to deposit that truth. Pastors, teachers, evangelists, or ministers are not expected to deliver disrespectful babble, idle and ungodly chatter or vain and empty words. And certainly, not deliberately deceive others according to what we think; nor our opinions, causing others who are not mature in the word or converted to miss the mark regarding the faith, but everything should be by the word of God. The word is not up for any private interpretations (2 Peter 1:20-21). If we are going to speak wisdom among the people, let’s speak in the wisdom, in the power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost so that we are not speaking with enticing words of our own wisdom. We have to be aware of what is circulating, so that we can address it because our faith is not in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God!
Cynde
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