I had been fishing all day, and the weather was hot. I was getting thirsty, but I knew of a hidden gem nearby.

The walk into the spring was about a mile. The  water came from deep underground and was always cold, refreshing, and safe to drink. It was worth the hike.

This time, things were different. An enterprising beaver had built a dam, and the spring was now underwater behind the dam. So much for cold. So much for refreshing. So much for safe to drink. 

Where there have been beavers around, the water is likely contaminated with Giardiasis (or beaver fever as it’s called in these parts). Beaver fever will leave you with a great deal of ugly abdominal distress for weeks and is highly contagious. It’s not the sort of thing you want to take a chance with.

The promise of the refreshing water couldn’t be delivered on.

Something similar happens with false teachers.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

2 Peter 2:1-3 NIV

They promise what they can’t deliver. They promise living water, but provide empty wells. They promise freedom, but deliver bondage. They promise salvation but deliver damnation.

These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 2 Peter 2:17-19

How do we know which teachings are false? By knowing what we believe and why we believe it. 

We discern it through diligent study of the Word, by examining Bible passages in context and in comparison to the Word as a whole, and by learning some solid Christian doctrine.

If you don’t know what you believe and why you believe it, then you may find yourself standing at the foot of a spoiled spring. You could be seeking living water but end up perishing of thirst instead.

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

___________________________________________ 

(c)2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

The day’s events remain fresh in my memory. Many years  ago, Kathy and I took a summer drive to an old campground on the lake. Over the years, I had been involved in several men’s fishing retreats there, but Kathy had never been out to that lake. The facility was still there, although the province was no longer maintaining it.

We parked and walked around. To our surprise, a big old border collie came to check us out. He likely lived in one of the homes not far away. He was starved for affection and immediately adopted me. Wherever we walked, he was at my side, getting petted.

Finally, it was time for us to leave. He didn’t want to see us go. As we tried to drive away, he went into classic collie mode and tried to herd us back to our parking space. If I cut to the left, he moved in front of us to the left and then lay down. If I moved to the right, he did as well. If I tried to go straight, he went to the front of the van.

It took some time before we were able to get clear of him. He was very determined that we could be herded into staying.

His determination reminded me in a strange way of the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit never gives up on us. He wants to see us drawn into the fold with Christ and Father. He testifies to us about Jesus. He convicts us of our sin. He’s constantly at work to help us find our way to salvation.

He does all that because Father loves us and wants us to choose Him. The Apostle Peter writes of waiting for Jesus’ return.

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9

That gives me hope as I wait for His return. I have friends and family who don’t yet know Him. As much as I eagerly await His return, I long for those friends and family members to find their true freedom in Him. I know He’s on their trail and calling to them. My prayer for them is that they listen.

Until next time, rejoice that He loved you enough to track you down and herd you back to the fold. Rejoice that He’s still out there herding the lost.

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

___________________________________________ 

(c)2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.