Here's another Sunday post from my Fall 2020 study of 2 Corinthians with Good Morning Girls. This is the eleventh such post -- just a few more to go! As mentioned previously, I use the SOAP method of Bible study , and their study guide uses a similar method. I find this helpful for a quick little study such as this one, but even more for digging into passages more deeply.
For today, the verse to study was 2 Corinthians 11:14, but I opted to study both verses 13 and 14.
S= "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ;
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:13-14)
O= C.I. Scofield titles the section of chapter 11 from verses 3 through 15: "Warning against false teachers". Here in verse 13 Paul calls them false apostles and deceitful workers who make themselves look and sound like apostles of Christ. He then adds that this is not surprising, because Satan himself -- the very one these people are serving -- can transform himself into an angel of light to deceive believers. It is just one of the devices he uses.
A= More than ever, today false teachers abound -- and, I think mostly because of the internet, are able to deceive and affect more people. That's why it's so important to know God's Word well so we can recognize false teachings when we hear or read them. We also need to be willing to do our homework concerning authors, Bible teachers, and so on. In light of recent events in our country, some who call themselves "evangelicals" are showing themselves to actually be false teachers.
P= "Lord, I pray that You will help me to be wise and discerning when it comes to Christian authors, bloggers, and Bible teachers. Help me to remember that not everyone who carries this label is truthful, and that I need to know Your Word very well to be able to recognize false teaching. Help me to spend the time in Your Word that will help me to be discerning, and to take time to find out where these people stand before blindly following them. I thank You for the wisdom You will give, in Jesus' name, Amen."
I hope that this simple study is as helpful to someone else as it was to me!
Thank you for this excellent reminder to study God's Word and pray for discernment when it comes to "false teachers" and those who would portray themselves as an "angel of light", when they truly are angels of darkness. In today's world it is getting more and more difficult to find the true believers as our voices are being snuffed out on social media and in our schools and colleges, and sadly, even some seminaries. There is so much false teaching going on that true believers are having to almost go underground even here in America because of the persecution. We must pray even more for our preachers and Godly teachers and leaders as we are all under attack. Yes, get into God's Word and pray pray pray for wisdom and discernment! Amen!
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