Brenda Walsh Ministries
Mistaken Identity.

If you are surfing the Internet for spiritual food, watching sermons, or church-hopping, it can be hard to know what to believe. It seems everyone has a different way of interpreting the very same Scripture. Even your own pastor that you’ve listened to for years may not always be accurate with the theology he preaches. That’s why it is critically important to study the Bible for yourself. We’re told in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” There have been false teachings dating all the way back to Bible times, which is why you simply can’t accept what others are teaching at face value. You need to study for yourself. Jeremiah 14:14 tells us, "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.” And Matthew 7:15 warns, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” How easy it is to be deceived by a crafty case of mistaken identity! God does not want us to be “sheeple.” The dictionary defines this word as “people compared to sheep in being docile, foolish, or easily led.” There’s an old expression that goes like this: “If you don’t stand for something . . . you’ll fall for anything.” The best way not to be led astray is to study for yourself and ask God for divine wisdom to understand and interpret His Holy Word. Text: Matthew 24:24, Ezekiel 13:9, Jeremiah 23:16, Luke 6:26