We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Friday, May 18, 2012

Young People and Discernment


Without biblical discernment, this upcoming generation is "adrift at sea"--heading for a rocky coast and pending shipwreck. As I have had the opportunity to speak with young people throughout the U.S. and around the world, many of whom seem to be biblically knowledgeable, I've found that they are largely ignorant of false teachings, movements, and practices, along with the false teachers who are seducing multitudes of Christians today. ...
When the full counsel of God's Word is not taken to heart and put into practice, there is little basis for spiritual growth. Often the result is an experiential faith, based upon subjective feelings rather than the objective Word of Truth. Such a condition produces a shallow if not false faith and completely eliminates biblical discernment.
T.A. McMahon, “A Generation Adrift,” The Berean Call, May 2012.
When we went to the St. Louis Conference on Biblical Discernment in April, we took two high school seniors with us.  They were astonished at all the false teachings they learned about, having never previously heard of such things.  This is why our youth can be so easily capture by false teachings - because they are not warned about it in their church assembly!  Which is why the heretical IHOP organization can recruit youth by the  scores.
 Just remember that cults aren’t the only danger, and in fact are not near the danger to those in the Church as are the false teachings by those within the Church. Aside from IHOP, how many know about Word of Faith and its teachers?  How many know about the Emergent heresy?  What about the many subtle false teachers, such as Beth Moore and others I’ve noted on this blog?  What about psychology in the Church, yoga in the Church or Tae Kwon Do in the Church - all of which are compromising the faith?  We need to teach the errors of “seeker-sensitive” and “market-driven” movements, theistic evolutionism, aberrant “spiritual warfare,” Dominion theology, the social gospel, and on and on and on - all coming from INSIDE the Church!
Parents and youth ministries need to expose our young people to what errors are out there, and demonstrate the errors biblically so as to provide them with a defense against the wiles of Satan.

2 comments:

Yvonne said...

Amen, Glenn!

My daughter's friend wants to study psychology in college. When I mentioned the dangers inherent in this field of study for a Christian, she said something about 'Christian' psychology. *sigh*

Seriously considering passing along a book from the Bobgans; just not sure which one. Any suggestions?

~Yvonne

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Hi Yvonne,
Well, from the Bobgans I would suggest "The End of 'Christian Psychology.'" But another excellent book is "Why Christians Can't Trust Psychology," by Dr. Ed Bulkley (I've heard him speak at two different conferences and he is good). Another one is Jim Owen's "Christian Psychology's WAR on God's Word." Finally, Dave Hunt & T.A. McMahon have a pretty good book, "Psychology and the Church." Any of these would be excellent to educate her!