Friday | Further Thought | September 18

September 18: Friday — Further Thought on Lesson 12

Read

• Ellen G. White, “The Laodicean Church,” p. 125, in The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, September 30, 1873

Summary

• God warns His people not to repeat the errors and mistakes of the past.
• False teachers may use attractive and deceptive methods to lead people away from the truth.
• We must test every teaching by God’s Word instead of using Scripture to defend our own opinions.
• We should study the Bible with humility, willing to surrender pride and long-held ideas when God’s Word corrects us.
• In spiritual warfare, we must use God’s truth and power while bringing our thoughts into obedience to Christ.
• The church must help members recognize error because faithfulness to truth is essential to its mission.
• Paul’s sufferings showed that his ministry depended on God’s power, not human strength, and his true boast was in the Lord.
• We must examine ourselves to see whether we are truly in the faith and whether Christ is working in us.

Question

• How can I remain faithful to Christ when false teaching, human opinions, and spiritual pride challenge my faith?

Answer

• I must study God’s Word humbly, test what I believe by Scripture, reject error, give God the glory, and allow Christ to examine and change my life.

Reflection

• Am I willing to let God’s Word correct my beliefs, or do I use Scripture to defend what I already believe?

Takeaway

• Test your beliefs by God’s Word, remain humble, reject error, and continually examine your life to see whether you are in the faith.