Turning from error to truth

Firstly, I want to apologize for no blog post last week. I wasn't feeling good last Sunday, and I never got around to actually writing one when I had time during the week. Lately, I've felt like my heart hasn't been in my writing. I could've made the time to do it this week, but I just didn't make the effort.

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One night this past week, I came home and found myself watching videos on YouTube. Somehow, I found myself watching videos of sessions from the Strange Fire conference. The conference was convened to address the issues arising from the growing influence of the Charismatic movement within evangelical Christianity. One of the issues addressed in the sessions was the dangers of emotionalism, of allowing our sensations and experiences (especially in the sense that one has "experienced the Holy Spirit" in the sensual manner) to be a means by which we determine our connection to and understanding of God rather than by the standard of the Scriptures.

I am not, nor have I ever been, a Charismatic. However, the messages punched me right in the heart. By the grace of God, I realized that at some point, I had given myself over to trusting my own feelings and attitudes, which I know to be misleading, rather than trusting in the Lord, who never varies. I had become so withdrawn from trusting God, I was even doubting the reliability of the Bible, at least some of which I am certain was Satanic effort. Matthew 24:24 suggests it's possible for even the elect of God to be deceived, and I do believe I was being deceived. I was doubting so much of God had done, to the point that I was beginning to wonder if I were even saved. I was doubting things about my walk with God that I knew to be true.

Still, I had to admit that whatever happened, I was culpable for my own unbelief. I had to stop, bow my head, and pray, "Lord, I have strayed into error." I had to stop and beg for forgiveness, that I had doubted Him and trusted myself, something that I just shouldn't do at all. Thankfully, God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us of all unrighteousness 1 John 4:9).