“And all the people saw the thunderings, and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled, and stood afar off, and said to Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” (Exodus 20:18-19 DARBY) [1]
Moses had just been on the mountain. God had spoken to him and given him the Ten Commandments. These people were afraid of God because of the thunder and lightning. Moses told them that was the reason God did that, so they would fear God.
Today there are a lot of people who have lost the fear of God. They want to go listen to a man instead of listening to God. They choose to go to a church where the whole Word is not spoken, where the teacher will tickle their ears. Paul’s prophecy to Timothy has come true:
“Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths.” (2 Timothy 4:2-4 NLT) [2]
Are the teachers and preachers you listen to true men of God? Are they truly born again? Are you listening to a man who tells you what you want to hear or a truly Biblical teacher?
Do you trust only in the teaching of men? Do you spend time in the Word? Do you really study it and not just read it to calm your conscience? In your prayer time, do you give time for God to speak to you or do you do all the talking so you won’t have to listen to Him?
Spend time in communion with God through personal Bible study and prayer. Find a man that God speaks through and gives you the truth of the whole word of God.
By Dean W. Masters
Unedited redistribution approved
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[1] Darby, J. N. (1996). The Holy Scriptures : A new translation from the original languages. Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems.
[2] Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 1997. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.