Where do your doctrines (teachings) about God come from, man or God?
2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine..
A patchwork of doctrines: Almost everyone it seems, regardless of whether they are saved or unsaved, has concocted for themselves a patchwork of doctrines, that is, a mishmash of teachings, on matters pertaining to God. Often this patchwork consists of a little bit of teaching from one place, something heard in another place, the opinions of a minister or two, selected writings from a couple of books, a smattering of memorized Bible verses and the reasonings and presumptions of the intellect to try and loosely tie it all together. If the teachings are not scripture that has been given to the person by the inspiration of God and received and understood in the heart, then they are almost certainly going to be false.
With most Christians very little of this patchwork of doctrines is based on that person having an unshakeable conviction about the teachings because they are founded on truths that have been personally revealed to them by God’s Spirit from the scriptures. Instead of the teachings being from God, many Christians have succumbed to the “doctrines of men” Col. 2:22. What can God now do to dislodge a person from a mishmash of false teachings and assumptions? In many instances a Christian has gone over the thoughts related to these teachings many times to try and explain or justify their own bad behavior and certain adverse events. These thoughts therefore have made deep ruts in their minds, but they never satisfy their conscience. Also, if the Christian has shared with others bits and pieces of their patchwork of doctrines, even if they are now presented with the correct teachings of God, they may stubbornly resist them and defend their false teachings, because of pride.
What can God do now to induce a person to re-examine their beliefs about Him? But this time with a heart diligence that won’t be denied until the truth has been revealed to them by God, and is known in their heart beyond a shadow of a doubt. What can God do to so shake a person up out of their complacency that they are willing finally to question the half-truths, misunderstandings, lies and assumptions that their beliefs are based on? Beliefs that have been harmful to them and to any others they may have passed them on to.
If we are such a Christian our heavenly Father will try, whenever we become tender of heart and therefore receptive, to rock our spiritual boat with bold anointed statements of truth from the Bible. Sadly, because of the prideful nature of our flesh, we may never become tender of heart and willing to hear truth until adversity has struck us and struck us hard in some area of our lives. Now this adversity will not have come to us by God’s hand, even though our mishmash of doctrines will suggest that it has. No, God says:
Isa 54:15 If anyone attacks you, don't for a moment suppose that I sent them, MSGE
Isa 14:9 The denizens of hell rise to meet you as you enter their domain (due to sin) TLB
While the adversity was not from God, but from our enemy Satan, if our hearts are now at last tender and open to Him, God will bring someone to teach us the doctrines of heaven.
Titus 2:1 But you must teach what agrees with sound doctrine. TEV
Here are just some of the foundational teachings of God’s New Covenant with humanity:
God’s provision for our initial salvation through Christ: Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way, and the Lord laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquities of us all… Isa 59:2 …Your iniquities have separated you (in spirit) from your God… Col 2:13 And you, being dead (in spirit) in your trespasses…He has made alive (in spirit)...having forgiven you all trespasses, John 3:7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born (in spirit) again.' Mark 16:16 He who believes (these words) will be saved (from everlasting separation from God, because of his sins);
Our need to always receive and always give forgiveness: 1 John 1:9 If we confess our
sins He is faithful and just (because Jesus bore them) to forgive us our sins and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness. Matt 6:15 But if you do not forgive others their sins (letting
them go and giving up all resentment - AMP) neither will your Father forgive you your sins.
Guided initially by God’s peace and delivered from worry: Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts… 1 Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
The 3 parts of every Christian and our need to grow the spirit part: 1 Thes 5:23 …Your
whole spirit (or heart), soul (or will), and body… 1 Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the
pure milk of the word (of God), that you may grow (your newly born baby spirit) thereby,
Carnal (ruled by our human nature) versus spiritual Christians (ruled by God’s Spirit):
1 Cor 3:1 And I...could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal… Rom 8:9
You are not in the flesh (carnal) but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you…
Receiving by faith the Holy Spirit, in order to be governed by God, requires a full surrender of our will to God: 1 Cor 6:19-20 Do you not know that…you are not your own, for you were bought with a price…ESV Jo 20:22 …"Receive the Holy Spirit”. Acts 5:32 ...The Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who (are willing to) obey Him. Gal 3:2 …Did you receive the Holy Spirit as the result of obeying the Law…or was it by hearing the message (His word)…and believing it? AMP Rom 10:10 For with the heart one believes...
There are two spiritual kingdoms, one good one evil, we are all in one or the other: 1 Jo 3:10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: 1 Jo 5:19 …The whole world lies under the influence of the wicked one. Jo 10:10 (Satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. Luke 11:18 If Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Rom 14:17 The kingdom of God...is in the Holy Spirit.
The difference between the Old Covenant of law and the New Covenant of Grace:
2 Cor 3:6…Ministers of the New Covenant, not of the letter (the Old Covenant that requires
obedience to written rules) but of the Spirit; for the…Spirit gives life (to the written word
making it the living Word, God’s Grace, to be written on our hearts so that we can obey it).
Heb 10:16 This is the New covenant...I will put my laws in their hearts so that they will
want to obey them. NLT/TLB Ezek 36:27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk
in My statutes (My words), Gal 5:18 if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
God is revealed to us and we know Him as our Father: Rom 8:15 ...You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." Heb 12:9 We have had human fathers...shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
Deliverance from sin, habits and addictions: Ro 6:14 Sin shall not have dominion over you… Ps 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, so that I will not sin against You.
John 8:32 And you shall know the truth (God’s word), and the truth will make you free.
God’s Spirit empowers us to preach and to win souls: Acts 1:8 But you shall receive
power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…
Mar16:15-16 Go into all the world and preach the gospel…He who believes (the words of
God you preach in the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit) and is baptized will be saved.
God’s clear requirements for answered prayer: 1 Jo 5:14-15 This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us...we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. Col 1:9 We...pray to (God) that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Matt 21:22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Ps 66:18 If I allow wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear my prayer.
We must be changed to become more like Christ: 2 Co 4:16 ...The inward man (our spirit)
is being (or should be) renewed day by day. Col 3:10 ...The new man (our spirit), which is
renewed in knowledge (God’s words) after the image (likeness) of Him (Christ) that created
him. Matt 6:11 Give us this day our daily (spiritual) bread. Jer 15:16 Your words were found
and I ate them... 2 Pe 1:4 ...That through these you may be partakers of the divine nature...
We learn to live in the spirit, that is, in Christ, not governed by our human nature:
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who
do not walk according to (ruled by) the flesh, but according to (ruled by) the (Holy) Spirit.
We partake of Christ’s nature of humility, which is full dependence on God, ceasing
from all works not inspired or approved by God, and we enter God’s rest of living by faith:
Matt 11:29 Take my yoke (my Spirit) upon you, and learn of me (by receiving my words);
for I am meek and humble in heart: and you shall find rest for your souls. Heb 4:10 For
whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his own works (and only does God’s)
We partake of more of Christ’s love, through His words, by which we love others: 1 Jo 2:5 Whoever keeps (retains) His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. Rom 5:5 The love of God (His word) is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.. Eph 5:25-26 ...Christ also loved the church...with the washing of water by the word, John 13:34 ...As I have loved you, that you also love one another (with the washing of water by the word).
God implores us to believe that Christ died to our sinful human nature for us: Rom
7:18 ...In me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; Rom 6:6-7 Knowing this, that our old
man (our flesh) was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that
we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.
Being dead to sin we can now live permanently in Christ, and He increasingly in us: John 15:5-8 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides (lives) in Me, and I (live) in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing...If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you...so you will be My disciples. Col 1:27 ...This mystery...which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Only as we live in Christ, do all of God’s promises become “Yes”: 2 Cor 1:20 For all the promises of God, in Him (in Christ), are Yes, and in Him, Amen. (Now God can reveal Himself to us as each of His seven redemptive names) – Gen 22:14 as our Provider, Exo 15:26 as our Healer, Exo 17:15 as our Protector, Jud 6:24 as our Peace, Psa 23:1 as our Shepherd, Jer 33:16 as our Righteousness, Eze 48:35 as His never departing Presence.
We are at war with wicked spirits and the battle takes place in our thought life: Eph
6:12 For we are not fighting against people...but against...evil princes of darkness who rule
this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world. TLB Eph 6:11 Put
on the whole armor of God (His teachings and His Spirit living in your heart) that you may
be able to stand against the wiles (the thoughts) of the devil. 2 Cor 10:5 …Bringing every
thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (God’s living words abiding in your heart),
After conversion, salvation must continue by our being sanctified, meaning, made holy: 1 Cor 1:2 To the Church…made holy in Christ Jesus… AMP Heb 12:10 … Partakers of His holiness. 2 Thes 2:13 ...God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification (being made saints) by the Spirit and belief in the truth (His word). Heb 12:14 Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. (Christ is coming back for His saints).
Christ will return to rapture not Christians but His saints who look for His appearing: Heb 9:28 …To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time… 2 Thes 1:10 When He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints (in those He has made holy).
We must know and preach that this full salvation is available to all who will receive it even though God knows in advance who those are: Heb 2:9 ...He (Jesus) by the grace of God should taste death for every man. KJV 1 Jo 2:2 He Himself is the substitution for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 2 Pe 3:9 The Lord is...not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Deut 30:19 ...I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life... 1 Pe 1:2 Elect (or destined to be saved) according to the foreknowledge of God (knowing who will choose Him)
God reveals these teachings directly to our spirits, our hearts, and not to our brains:
Prov 20:27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD 1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God...nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Rom 8:6 Now the mind of the flesh, which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit, is death. But the mind of the Holy Spirit is life and peace. AMP
Lu 10:21...I praise you, O Father...for hiding these things from the intellectuals and worldly wise and for revealing them to those who are as trusting as little children... TLB
We are to beware of the teachings of men and of the doctrines of demons: Matt 16:6
Take heed and beware of the leaven (teachings) of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
Mark 7:7 And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
1 Tim 4:1 ...Some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons (by listening to and believing their deceiving thoughts). 2 Pe 1:10-11 Be even more diligent to make your call and election sure (insuring your beliefs are founded on the teachings of God) for if you do these things you will never stumble; for an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
