Discerning Falsehoods

Jan. 1, 2000 | By Greg DesVoignes

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

"And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean." Ezekiel 44:23

DISCERNING FALSEHOODS

The Word of God not only provides the warnings and the commands concerning deception, it also provides the way to discerning between what is true and what is false. We can get some immediate ground level insight by looking into Exodus 25.

In Exodus 25 we find Moses on Mt. Sinai in the presence of God. God told Moses that he wanted to dwell among His people. He instructed Moses to build a tabernacle so that he could dwell among them. God told Moses what materials to gather that were going to be used in the building of this tabernacle. He then said,

"According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall construct it." Exodus 25:9

Now the materials, the construction, design, and instructions were a foreshadow of Jesus and the church, having the same purpose; that God may dwell among His people. Now since the tabernacle was to be built according to the plan, pattern, materials, and instructions from God's Word, how is the church [individual believers, and the body as a whole] to be built? According to God's Word.

Jesus confirms this by saying

"...and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it." Matthew 16:18

Jesus was not referring to Peter as the rock, but Himself. Since He is the rock, the church [which is His, and His plan] the church is to be built upon His living Word. This brings us to the next aspect.

"You shall not add to the word which I am commanding, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandment of the Lord... You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him, and you shall keep his commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him." Deuteronomy 4:2; 13:4

Now we see that the church [which belongs to Jesus] is not only supposed to be built according to His Word, but that we are not supposed to add our own philosophies, plans, doctrines, nor are we to omit any part of God's plans. It is His voice, the voice we see in His words we are to follow. The Word of God is the standard by which we grow, change, learn to know God, and the plum line by which we can tell the truth from the false.

So, number one, false doctrines will not be found in the Word of God, but are the additions or omissions by man following a voice other than God's. And, by knowing the Word, you will be able to discern that which is false. Jesus said,

"...he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice. And a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers." John 10: 4,5

The lesson? If it is not in the Word, it should not be used in the church, and the more familiar you are with the voice of Jesus the more you can recognize something different. In fact God's people will not only not follow something strange from the Word, they will flee from the ones speaking it.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

ping

[1john2 3and4]

thank you for the ping i think you must be busy, as i see you on many threads! mostly youre involved in discusions re: errors in the rcc. is it not evident that the protestant and rcc positions are derived from different books? THE WORD is vulgate to the rcc, and KJV (or those derived from it) to the protestant. discerning falsehoods must be dependent on version used to discern. not much common ground there, as differences are obvious. is it ok to ask which scripture is being used?

[w_over_w]

Hello, I enjoyed reading your post. If I may I add one note . . .

So, number one, false doctrines will not be found in the Word of God, but are the additions or omissions by man following a voice other than God's.

Also, interpretations. As God's word states:

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

II Peter 1:20

I have found this to be one of the greater challenges in understanding God's word. Simply let it say what it means and mean what it says without my mind corrupting the meaning.

Anyway, good post and God bless!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

thank you for the ping i think you must be busy, as i see you on many threads!

I usually don't post this much. But it is raining here and cold, so I can't get outside. I am an outdoor person. Do alot of horseback riding and yard/pasture work. So in the winter I am on here more especially when there is persipitation.

mostly youre involved in discusions re: errors in the rcc.

I have a speical motive for learning and trying to refute catholic teachings. My whole family is catholic. I was born and raised catholic and spent 20 yrs as a catholic. I would like to find a way to get thru to catholics so I could talk to my family. They refuse to even discuss religion though.

THE WORD is vulgate to the rcc, and KJV (or those derived from it) to the protestant.

I agree. But I did not really post this thread to teach catholics, although it would be interesting to see their take on it, mostly just to discuss it and get others opinion on the different intrepretations of the passages used here. Do you agree with them? or not?

is it ok to ask which scripture is being used?

It is OK to ask anything:)

I am not sure what scripture you mean. Or if you mean version I use a KJV.

Becky

[1john2 3and4]

ok! the italics worked! ummmmmmmmm, a bit.....
i "closed" the 1st italiced phrase with the correct symbol, then italicised another, yet the italics stayed on throughout the whole last part:
it should have been "discerning falsehoods", then "which scripture" arrrrrrrrrrrgh

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Simply let it say what it means and mean what it says without my mind corrupting the meaning

That is a major challenge for me too:)

Becky

[1john2 3and4]

i agree with most of it, and use the kjv for discussion rain/cold here too! bet you know about that cool guy who is the REAL "horse-whisperer" (i would like to have a pacofino someday, but must content myself with three border collies!) given my nic here, you should know i DO agree with by knowing the Word, you will be able to discern that which is false. and "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandment of the Lord... You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him, and you shall keep his commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him." Deuteronomy 4:2; 13:4 as to I have a speical motive for learning and trying to refute catholic teachings. My whole family is catholic. I was born and raised catholic and spent 20 yrs as a catholic. I would like to find a way to get thru to catholics so I could talk to my family. They refuse to even discuss religion though. i find it quite interesting that there are ANY catholics willing to discuss religion.....fr really IS a special place! the ones who post must be theologians, or priests, im guessing of course, but my experience is that they know the catechism better than the(ir) bible.... if its true that "the just shall live by faith", then having loved ones who refuse to see their error puts you to a trying test of faith, im sure. i think there's some consolation in the idea that we will not be judged because we truly believed a lie but because we rejected the truth....i have a strong sense that you are well aware of this, and see your witness to your family as an awesome responsibility, and that your heart aches for them since we all see thru a glass darkly, we're all "at risk" so to speak....remember, peter said that even the RIGHTEOUS shall scarcely be saved!

[1john2 3and4]

again, the italics dont close! i even double spaced after each (end of section) sorry

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Thanks for the nice post. My husband and I have often said to each other and on this forum that the catholics and protestants alike who post here are not the norm, as far as knowledge of their respective beliefs go. The one's here seem very well grounded in their faiths. That is another reason I engage in discussion so much with catholics. I use to feel because of my back ground that I knew a little about the catholic faith. But it seems I was either not pay close attention in school:) or my teachers where not to best.

About your italics. Do you by any chance have a WebTV or a computer. I have a WebTV and lots of times have trouble with the html's not working right.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

i agree with most of it, and use the kjv for discussion rain/cold here too! bet you know about that cool guy who is the REAL "horse-whisperer" (i would like to have a pacofino someday, but must content myself with three border collies!) given my nic here, you should know i DO agree with by knowing the Word, you will be able to discern that which is false. and "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandment of the Lord... You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him, and you shall keep his commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him." Deuteronomy 4:2; 13:4 as to < p > < i >I have a speical motive for learning and trying to refute catholic teachings. My whole family is catholic. I was born and raised catholic and spent 20 yrs as a catholic. I would like to find a way to get thru to catholics so I could talk to my family. They refuse to even discuss religion though.< /i > < p >i find it quite interesting that there are ANY catholics willing to discuss religion.....fr really IS a special place! the ones who post must be theologians, or priests, im guessing of course, but my experience is that they know the catechism better than the(ir) bible.... if its true that "the just shall live by faith", then having loved ones who refuse to see their error puts you to a trying test of faith, im sure. i think there's some consolation in the idea that we will not be judged because we truly believed a lie but because we rejected the truth....i have a strong sense that you are well aware of this, and see your witness to your family as an awesome responsibility, and that your heart aches for them since we all see thru a glass darkly, we're all "at risk" so to speak....remember, peter said that even the RIGHTEOUS shall scarcely be saved!

Look at the bold I have put in, Try this next time, and it will come out like below. :)

i agree with most of it, and use the kjv for discussion rain/cold here too! bet you know about that cool guy who is the REAL "horse-whisperer" (i would like to have a pacofino someday, but must content myself with three border collies!) given my nic here, you should know i DO agree with by knowing the Word, you will be able to discern that which is false. and "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandment of the Lord... You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him, and you shall keep his commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him." Deuteronomy 4:2; 13:4 as to

I have a speical motive for learning and trying to refute catholic teachings. My whole family is catholic. I was born and raised catholic and spent 20 yrs as a catholic. I would like to find a way to get thru to catholics so I could talk to my family. They refuse to even discuss religion though.

i find it quite interesting that there are ANY catholics willing to discuss religion.....fr really IS a special place! the ones who post must be theologians, or priests, im guessing of course, but my experience is that they know the catechism better than the(ir) bible.... if its true that "the just shall live by faith", then having loved ones who refuse to see their error puts you to a trying test of faith, im sure. i think there's some consolation in the idea that we will not be judged because we truly believed a lie but because we rejected the truth....i have a strong sense that you are well aware of this, and see your witness to your family as an awesome responsibility, and that your heart aches for them since we all see thru a glass darkly, we're all "at risk" so to speak....remember, peter said that even the RIGHTEOUS shall scarcely be saved!

BigMack

[St.Chuck]

"And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean." Ezekiel 44:23

It should be noted that the "they" referred to in this text are priests. Interesting how this verse is used to buttress an idea, but when put in context seems to oppose it.

[RochesterFan]

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. - II Peter 1:20

Absolutely true. That said, we must always be willing to submit our understanding to further scrutiny of the Scriptures because it is far too easy to confuse our traditions and presuppositions with the teaching of the Holy Spirit.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

How does it oppose the idea that is being discussed here. The Idea beng discussed is what is used to measure false doctrine. Scripture. I read it to mean that people learn scripture and it causes them to be discerning. It clearly says people can be discerning themselves of what is taught to them.

Becky

[St.Chuck]

The Idea beng discussed is what is used to measure false doctrine. Scripture. I read it to mean that people learn scripture and it causes them to be discerning. It clearly says people can be discerning themselves of what is taught to them.

"And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean." Ezekiel 44:23

I don't see any reference to scripture at all. The reference is to priests who shall teach and cause.Where do you see anything at all about scripture?

[al_c]

I would like to find a way to get thru to catholics so I could talk to my family. They refuse to even discuss religion though.

Just a hunch, but maybe that's because you're always trying to prove them wrong. ;o)

BTW ... glad to hear the cat came down.

[1john2 3and4]

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

would maybe be a clearer text to show the point....(notice no priests are mentioned :))

the text chosen was specifically outlining the role of (certain) levites in the sanctuary service.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

though spoken to the apostles, i dont think it excludes us latter-day "hearers" of the word

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

surely, we should study AND hear (AND DO!)

as more of an addendum than disagreement; the tabernacle, besides being used as a useful metaphor for the body/church, is also spoken of as being an actual place (in heaven right now), to be (soon, hopefully) "among men"

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. Rev. 21:3

this happens when the new heaven & earth are established, i.e. at "the end".

[1john2 3and4]

Mack! YOU DA (HTML) MAN!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

You done good 1john2 3and4, glad I could help ya. :)

BigMack

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Just a hunch, but maybe that's because you're always trying to prove them wrong. ;o)

LOL. No actually, they have never even given me a chance to say anything. My dad said when he found out we were going to a Baptist church, "there will be problems if you try to talk to me about the bible. I don't want to know about that. I'm fine as I am, I am a pretty good person."

Now tell me how to approach him.

He has been taught all his life to let the church read the bible and let the church tell him what it says. My whole family is that way. They do not want to even hear the word "bible".

Becky