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So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves, and carried about with every wind of doctrine….”
Ephesians 4:14
Fall comes late in the South and over the past two months, the leaves have turned red, yellow and orange and have fallen off the trees in abundance. As I watch out the window over my kitchen sink, the wind is blowing erratically. First the leaves are rushing in one direction, and then a few seconds later they are racing back in the opposite direction. Next a whirlwind swirls them in a circle around and around. And so they go—back and forth, back and forth, round and round. The only leaves not moving are the ones plastered to the driveway due to the recent rain.
Watching these leaves brought to mind the above Scripture verse. It describes an immature, unstable Christian, who is not grounded in the Word of God and sound doctrine. We are exhorted NOT to be this way. II Peter 2:1-3 warns us that there will always be “false teachers among you…” Acts 20: 31 urges us to be “on guard”, “be on the alert”, and “watch.” These men “cause divisions, and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine you have been taught.” Romans 16:17. They will distort the Good News of the Gospel which is Salvation by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone, not of any works on our part.
To keep from being “tossed about with every wind of doctrine” we must be grounded in the TRUTH, the Word of God. We must have a firm foundation in Jesus Christ and know what we believe so we will recognize false doctrine when we hear it. We must be like the Bereans as recorded in Acts 17:11 who “received the Word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Absorb the Word of God, so it can permeate our hearts and minds, through faithful Bible study. To be grounded in the Truth, Paul tells us in II Timothy 2:15, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.”
Of course, studying the Bible is a ongoing process that we can take pleasure in our whole life through, which brings much joy. As parents it is also our responsibility to teach our children God’s Word. How can we be effective teachers if we do not know the Scriptures ourselves? Let us be faithful examples of diligent Bible study. The rewards are great, for if our children are brought to a saving faith in Christ Jesus and are grounded in the TRUTH, when temptations come and when false ideas are presented to them, they will have their feet planted firmly on the Solid Rock, Christ Jesus.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
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Rebekah says
Thank you for this post, Gail! I appreciate the wisdom here, and the commitment to spiritual growth that you are sharing with others. This was something I needed to read and be reminded of today for sure. My life feels like one of those leaves blowing in the wind. The good reminder is that God’s truth anchors us firmly. Blessings!
Gail Slawson says
Thank you, Rebekah. I will pray for you that you will find true joy in studying God’s Word so you won’t feel like one of those leaves blowing in the wind. Gail http://www.bibleencouragement.org
dawnklinge says
Gail, this is so true! You said it well. We need to be grounded in the Word of God.
Thank you for linking with Grace and Truth last week!