Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 067 Twisted Theology
Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast
Episode #067 – Twisted Theology
Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective.
Today, I‘d like to start with some crucial questions for each of us to examine. Really think about the answers and not just jump to a response when you hear the questions. I think it is crucially important for each of us to regularly ponder our walk with God, if we want a mature relationship that continues to deepen and widen over time.
Do you consider yourself a devoted Christian? The word devoted means to be intensely active or have enthusiastic attachment, loyalty, or affection.
Is this the type of passion you carry for Jesus?
Do you believe that you exhibit proper character for a believer of Christ?
How do we define what is proper in relation to following Jesus?
How can we recognize whether we actively display the Lord through the way we live?
A woman who believes and exemplifies the teachings of Christ in her life will consistently experience daily alterations to character and integrity, drawing herself and others nearer to Him.
Each of us falls short daily.
Today I want to address the insidious shift we must be aware of if our hearts belong to Him.
Many who profess to be followers of Christ actually follow the world. Theology in our culture is twisted and warped.
Historically, the United States has been incredibly blessed, because our nation was founded on Christian principles. How different secular and “Christian” America now look compared to the vision our founding fathers expected and established. I purposely worded what I said in the way I did, because I believe that we do have a visible difference that has caused a division. A standard is being established for the future of our nation and the souls within. Empty, Godless deceit is spreading throughout the entire world.
How will unbelievers follow Jesus if He is not seen in a consistent, godly fashion by those who profess to know, follow, and love Him?
Does the way we live allow others to see Jesus in us? Are they drawn to Him through our words, actions, and behavior?
In order to make Christ known, we must intentionally study, know, and live by God’s holy words. Not because we know we should, but because the passion we hold for Him compels us to.
Society is filled with people who use sayings such as, “live your own truth” or “to each their own.” This popular and growing trend of thought is falsely believed and acted upon by both Christians and non-Christians. Based on points of view created through cultural or life experiences (and whims), many in our culture strive to live with no universal or absolute set of moral or ethical principles.
Even many Christian churches, which are supposed to be an assembly of believers of Jesus Christ, are missing the mark by removing or ignoring God’s guideline for truth based on the Bible, and exchanging holiness as defined by our Heavenly Father, for twisted or diluted theology fed by man and swallowed by both the secular and Christian world.
How can we comprehend God’s word if we refuse to make time to read it? Can Jesus become the thread binding our heart to His and a life committed to viewing this world with His eternal perspective if we do not purposely create time for Him?
Many people do not rely on the truth and values commanded by God, relying instead on self and react to life and others based on personal emotions or experiences. Without God’s perfect wisdom and truths, the world’s manmade, false morality warps faith and authenticity into a subjective knot of lies resulting in rebellion and suffering.
Hosea 4:1b-3a says, “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another. Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away.”
If we are not immersed in a purposeful, honoring relationship with God through Jesus, chances are high that our children will not be. As more churches are shifting away from standing on and teaching biblical truths, our children and grandchildren are suffering. Secular schools (and now many Christian institutions), do not offer the truth and foundation of God’s word and morality. Without the church remaining strong in a truthful, loving, fearful, and consistent fashion established on honoring God’s sovereignty and holiness, current culture based on subjective moral relativism will continue a twisted infiltration through the minds and hearts of our nation and the world.
Did you know statistics indicate that over half of young adults in the U.S. believe many religions lead to eternal life and that morality changes over time?
Psalm 11:3 says, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
Without the unshifting, holy moral compass of God, we do what is right in our own eyes. Unfortunately, the consequences affect not only self, but all, for generations to come.
Based on the thought process of those who have rejected God’s truths, many are left with the false belief that morality is relative, but if that were true, there would be no sin. Moral relativism lacks a concept of guiding principles that point the way to spiritual, emotional, physical, mental, and financial freedom and peace supplied by one source only – our omnipotent, sovereign God.
As believers in Christ, we know that without sin, there is no guilt. Without culpability, we do not need forgiveness. If we cannot perceive that morality must be guided by a holy source, we will never realize our absolute need for Jesus, therefore, we never seek repentance or forgiveness.
1 John 5:1-8 says, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. Who then overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement.”
Proverbs 4:20-27 says, “My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body. Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech. Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.”
It is crucial that we realize the importance of knowing what we believe and why we believe it.
If you have doubts or questions about God or faith, lift them to Him. God desires hearts that seek to know truth. He draws near to those who draw near to Him. If you are a believer, seek and live in the fullness of God’s love and accept the joy and peace He alone delivers. Intentionally spend time alone with Him. Read His word and speak to Him in prayer. Then listen for Him. Continue on a daily basis and you will experience the joyful changes He makes as you live in faith and obedience grounded in the relationship you are building with Jesus.
Current events, actions, and attitudes throughout the world will deceive. Even Christians, because we are human and fallible, and because theology has been twisted by all who do not truly know and stand faithfully in God’s word, will make mistakes. Our choices often do not reflect the holiness God desires. We must purpose to walk with Him daily. If we are not consciously committing to building a strong relationship with God moment by moment with a mind and heart preparing for eternity with Him, we have already fallen short. How many around us will miss the mark because of our selfish, fleshly choices?
Ephesians 5:15 says, “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.”
1. Read, study, and learn God’s word.
2. Forge a deeper connection through prayer, especially scriptural prayer.
3. Think critically, based on the compass of God’s word.
4. Observe and test what your experiences and others say and live (words, actions, thoughts, emotions, feelings, etc.) and align all against God’s truths.
5. Do not be deceived by what you see or experience, or use them as basis for truth.
6. Place your hope in God alone; do not follow people or self.
7. Remember, God alone is righteous and holy.
Deuteronomy 4:9 says, “Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.”
The future of our children, grandchildren, nation, and world, as well as our eternity are built or broken by what we choose to believe and model now.
We will never focus on eternity unless we purpose to do so with a heart firmly grounded in the truths of God and the sacrifice of Jesus.
Deuteronomy 30:6 says, “The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.”
John 8:31b-32 says, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Father God, You alone are the Lord. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You. Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and came to be. May we realize the depth of these truths and model every area of our life after Your perfect Son, Jesus. Thank you for allowing us the life we have. May we honor and worship You as You are due. Guide and protect our steps and bring us ever nearer to carrying Your truths into this dark world. Protect our minds so that no deceitful theories or cultural trends infiltrate the truths You have given in Your commandments and holy book, the Bible. Let us seek and recognize what You approve of because we know You well through time spent with You. Give us courage and conviction to stand where You command. In Your precious name we pray. Amen.
Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture.
I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.