Recently I had my ire aroused by what I consider statements on the fringe of Idolatry; and perhaps, actual idolatry.
While helping a friend with a problem, a visitor who says he too is a Christian, arrived on the scene. We were introduced and my friend made it a point to share with the visitor a little about our ministry of helping small churches and keeping the website operating. They continued their conversation and I my chore.
My friend, who has been through trying experiences of recent with his son being injured, has done exceptionally well in trusting the Lord throughout this time. He remains confident that God is going to do something special in all of his family as a result of this accident. As he sang in church last week, my heart was especially blessed, knowing all of this background.
As the conversation progressed, my antennae locked in. The visitor asked: “Has your son been listening to Christian radio or TV?” My friend: “I really do not know for certain.” Visitor: “What he really needs is to listen to [a particular Network].” My friend: “If he listens to anything in the area in which he is located, it would probably be [a different Network].” Visitor: “If he would listen to [such and such], he wouldn’t even have to read his Bible, the Scriptures anymore.”
I was aghast to believe that this was coming from a brother in Christ. Needless to say, I could no longer contain myself. With firmness I began: “My brother, I am appalled to think that you actually believe a man or a woman to whom you listen is above and beyond the Scriptures.” He made his defense, which by now had me irritated beyond measure. I do not recall all that ensued, but he was not long in bidding his goodbye.
There appears to be an awful lot of “people worship” in Christian circles these days, to the extent that believers, irrespective of what the Scriptures teach, are sufficiently ignorant to believe their teachings above the Word of God. It is time for us to get back to passages like 2 Peter 3:17-18 (NASB):
“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
It is not modern-day man but the Scriptures that are God breathed. (2 Timothy 3:16)
ETCetera 