Not Beyond or Below
Spiritual deception can be dressed up or dressed down. We can be fooled by what’s added to the truth or by what’s missing from the truth.
John refers to this devilish possibility in his second epistle when he warns his readers about those who “do not remain in Christ’s teaching” but “go beyond,”as well as the one who does not “bring this teaching” (2 John 9-10). With bold words John gives clear instruction to avoid anyone who adds to the truth or takes away from it. Both are deceitful, decisive, and destructive.
To avoid deception in either direction, we must be dedicated to knowing the truth of God’s Word. Believers should prioritize “searching the Scriptures” as the Bereans did (Acts 17:11), and pastors and teachers need to place a high value upon “rightly dividing the Word” as Timothy did (2 Tim 2:15). This means making sure none of us go beyond or below the truth, asserting it means more or less than what it actually means. Whether in exhorted preaching or expected practice, God’s Word, not our wishes, sets the table for what we feast on as God’s sheep.
Today, use God’s Word as the ultimate filter for everything. Whether reading, hearing, singing, or watching, allow Scripture to determine the veracity of everything you take in. And if it’s beyond or below the Bible, beware: the bait is on the hook. Don’t bite.
Because we can be fooled by what’s added or by what’s missing.
Pastor Todd