When I began looking for my older documents to load onto Spiritual Combatants, I found two packages entitled, 'Biblical Thoughts' or BTs from 2000-2002. BTs are simple statements or paragraphs I jotted down throughout each day. It was almost like a 'loose' journal or diary, but not as personal. Some of the BTs became Quick Quotes and others sermons or bible study teachings. I'm not sure why I kept them...maybe to use in some function or forum of ministry...

As I read through the BTs, I found a number of distressing statements. Many of the thoughts I wrote down, I wouldn't even consider today, as they are not doctrinally sound. To be honest, I believe some of the statements are disrespectful to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. (Additionally, I feel the same way about the notes I wrote in my Bible from that season. I've been considering buying another Bible because of the items written therein.)

Aren't you talking about yourself?!

I am, however, in that season of my life, my focus wasn't solely teaching sound doctrine. I wanted to teach God's Word, but there was a mixture of entertaining people with fancy messages and catchphrases. I hadn't come to an understanding where the focus should be on the truth of God's Word ONLY. Some of this can be due to the 'circles' I visited in church, television, and the Internet.

Was there any malice on your part?!

I didn't teach/preach to steer people from the truth of God's Word. Some of the teachings in the BTs are sound and are already on the website. However, there are other teachings mixed in that do not represent God in a respectful manner.

So what should we do?

As I said earlier, my reason for these teachings could have been influenced by my environment, and others the pride of life/lust of the flesh (popularity and success). It is for all of us to ensure our environments do not lead us to teach incorrect doctrine. There are people out there that have good intentions in ministering before GodÂ’s people, but are blinded by the mixture of worldly desires (being popular/successful) and being a faithful minister.

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

As workmen unto God, we must be dedicated unto Him. I found that even though I had a desire to dedicate myself to God, I began using a worldly 'standard' of ministry than God's. I allowed my 'definition' for rightly dividing the truth to be corrupted. Had you spoke to me during that period, I wouldn't have seen anything wrong with those statements.

We have to be dedicated to teaching God's word as it is read within the Bible. We should not be focused on how to:

• have a fancy sermon.
• get people to shout and 'hyped-up.'
• manipulate them to do what you would like.
• find popularity by 'scratching' their itching ears (2 Timothy 4:2-5).

We must be committed to pleasing God and not people and the 'world.'

1 John 2:15-17 (KJV) - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

For many of you, this will mean that you must come out from among those that may not be teaching the truth...

So how am I supposed to know what's good or bad?! Everything sounds good to me!

Psalm 1:1-2 (KJV) - Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Now, I'm not going to say the people within your 'circles' are evil. However, they may be deceived in their teachings. See, your delight must be in the law of the Lord, not the law of man and the world. It's not enough for you to be popular and teaching people a corrupted message. You have been given the responsibility to preach God's word and carry forward His work, that He may be glorified (and not you). As you give yourself to His teaching (His way), you may find differences from the manner in which you have been 'brought up' in church.

When God reveals things that do not line up with your traditional teachings, it is for you to choose which path you will take. Will you remain on the path of false teaching because 'everybody else is doing it' or will you take a stand against the norm?

John 12:37-43 (KJV) - But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

There will come a time when the teachings you receive from God will not line up with the 'popular' teachings of the day. A choice will have to be made whether you will love the praise of men or the praise of God. But that is a choice no one can make for you.

As you give yourself to the grace of God and sound biblical teaching, He will continue to teach you on denying worldly lusts and how to live soberly, righteously, and godly:

Titus 2:11-14 (KJV) - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Set your desire to be a faithful minister before God and His people. A transformation of change may/may not occur overnight, but as you dedicate yourself in prayer, meditation, study, and humility, you open yourself for change and redirect your course toward sound biblical teaching.