Truth-Twisting vs. Truth-Telling

We are almost 33% through the Bible this year. Today’s readings included Psalm 91, which is a great Psalm for everyday living, and Spiritual Warfare. I would love to commit Psalm 91 to memory, but man, it’s long, and I’m old, but it would be worth pondering on every day. We also started Galatians 1 today, and verses 6-10 jumped out at me.

‘I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. ‘
Galatians 1:6-10

The enemy uses truth-twisting as one of his primary tactics.

When I read this, I thought of all the kooky cults and prosperity teachings that seem so popular in today’s churches. Reading Galatians, I realize that adding or subtracting from the Good News of Jesus Christ has been around for thousands of years. We have to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit daily through prayer, meditating on God’s Word, and trying to be more like Christ. We need discernment now more than ever. If the message doesn’t line up with God’s Word, it’s wrong. Like Paul, in verse 10, we can’t worry about what people think of us when we reject the twisted truth. Our primary tactic should be to please God, not people.

I’m so thankful for the strong, spirit-filled Christians in our church who can also help guide me. I am currently memorizing Psalms 32:8 to weave it into my daily prayers.

‘The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. ‘
Psalms 32:8