My Lamp and My Light
Acts 17:10 – “Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.”
The people from Berea in Acts 17 searched the Word. They only had the Old Testament in those days, but this didn’t stop them from knowing and understanding what it said. They rightly divided the Word of truth which allowed them to stand strong when times of testing came their way; and because of this many believed.
Here’s a fantastic passage from a book titled “The Three Battlegrounds” by Francis Frangipane:
“As much as we love a particular pastor, as often as we have been edified by him, we must humbly ask the Lord to confirm any questionable doctrines. No teacher is so true, no ministry so pure that we can blindly let them lead us. They may lead us, but our eyes must be open and our ears sensitive to the confirming voice of the Holy Spirit. As it is written, “Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (2 Corinthians 13:1). Even true teachers can innocently communicate false doctrines. It does not matter how sincere our Bible teachers are. If the preponderance of what they are teaching does not lead us to greater surrender to Christ’s love, holiness and power, their theology can actually become a stronghold that will limit us and oppress our spiritual growth.”
This Word of God is our sword and shield. It is our ever present help in our time of need. It is the rock on which we stand. Every time satan attacks us he is attacking the Word in us. Remember the parable of the seeds? (Luke 8:5-8) The enemy attacks the mind because your spirit and soul already belong to Jesus. If he can disrupt your thinking and get you off focus then he can lead you away from God’s Word. This is the same thing that happened in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) and when Jesus was tempted in the dessert (Matthew 4:1-11). Both held the Word in God, but only one, Jesus, kept it.
We must be like the people in Berea and search the Word. Has someone spoken a word of prophecy over you? Then it had better line up with God’s Word. If it doesn’t then throw it out; don’t receive it. Did this word you heard point you to Christ’s power, holiness and love? Whatever word you hear should be confirmed! Don’t allow the enemy to limit you or mislead you. Satan will use many tricks…they are worldly…the lust of the eyes, flesh, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Did that word you heard tell you that you were going to lead a ministry that would prosper? Better check the Word before you launch out!
Matthew 24:4 – “And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Take heed that no one deceives you.’”
Jesus made mention here that we must take responsibility by being doers of the Word and not just hearers only. If we believe everything man tells us without searching the scriptures ourselves for truths then we never learn to be discerning when the times of testing comes. Essentially we are allowing man to lead us and not the Word of God; and when that day of testing comes – you’ll be on your own.
Jesus went on to speak in Matthew twenty-four of the perilous times ahead when many events will take place which will test our faith. One of these many things will be false teachers. Church, a false teacher will NOT lead you to Christ’s love, holiness and power; and when you go to seek it you will not find it. Why; because they led you to trust them and not His Holy Word. For truly at this time a great falling away will occur. Those who endure till the end are those who are rooted in grounded in God’s Word. These will not be tempted by the words of the enemy when he comes whispering into the ear of the saint.
In writing this I could have referenced many scriptures to help point the way to these truths. However, this time I am led to say “be good stewards of His Word and search them yourself; and when you do, you will find HIM!” For when darkness comes, and it will, it will remain as a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path.
About Lea Bates
Lea Bates answered the call to begin a women's jail/prison ministry in 2004 and in 2007 was one of the founders of a drug and alcohol regeneration center for women. Lea holds an honorary Doctorate in Biblical Studies and has completed her first book titled “Before I Knew You” which is available in paperback through Lulu.com.