Undermining The Credibility of the Gospel

Undermining The Credibility of the Gospel

I received an email that opened with a statement “…be alert Believers in Christ Jesus…”  This was a fellow believer’s admonishment along with a short and wonderful 3-4 sentence statement saying we are all to share the good news of his saving grace and to be faithful until his return.

This was all wonderful and well intentioned.  However, the area of concern is that these statements from the individual were added to an email that the individual had themselves been “forwarded”.  They were now adding their comments to the email before they also turned around and forwarded it on to others.  Why is that of concern?

The email that was being forwarded made statements about a current legislative act that was before the U.S. Congress at the time.  The email connected that legislative act together with: the U.S. President, events of September 11, events in the Middle East, Economic bail-outs and Federal Stimulus packages!  It also included a link to a website that was supposed to show us the legislative document that tied all this together.

The link was not only invalid but upon researching the legislative act in question, the Act before Congress had nothing to do with any of those other topics.  This brings us to the topic of this message.

There is a war raging between the powers of this world and the God of Heaven.  It will get more intense and more difficult to fight every day.  As “Believers in Christ” we MUST be examples of him.  The current President, the current Congress may be wrong or they may be right.  That has nothing to do with how true “believers” should conduct themselves.

A “believer” MUST be careful of trusting messages received “in the name of Jesus”.

Is there truth to what is being told?
Is there truth in what the “fellow believer” has forwarded?
Or is just a means to promote an individuals “personal agenda” by letting “Believers” forward on the “important message”.

Five easy steps to undermine the Gospel of Christ and the credibility of those that spread it:

1)       Get the believer to believe EVERYTHING that they are told. If it comes from a “fellow believer”, it must be true!

2)       State that “Everyone Needs to Know” or “Please Pass It On”.

3)       Mention “Jesus” or “Bible” as many times as possible.

4)       State at least one truthful fact.  Tie as many unrelated issues or facts together so they appear as one. That makes it appear that ALL the other statements are truthful and relevant to one another.

5)       Quote a website or a recognizable name as the “source” or evidence.

The “original” composer of an email may have good intentions.
How many people continue to “forward” information without verifying its accuracy?

A follower of Christ must have HIGHER Standards than the world.  The closer your walk is with Christ, the more important living up to them will become.

If you have taken the time and RESEARCHED the facts stated to you and the facts are TRUTHFUL

Then in all cases please DO forward the “important information” onward. It is VITAL that true “believers” are kept informed.  But do so by sending the “verified” and “accurate” sources that YOU personally checked. Accurate means the “source of the information” and NOT a link to someone claiming “knowledge” of the facts.

LET SATAN DO HIS OWN DIRTY WORK. He is the master of untruth and rumors. We have no business helping him out.

When you SPEAK (whether by electronic methods or tongue) let it be only that which is of TRUTH.

The world has a difficult time enough believing the WORD of Christ when it is shared……. I wonder why?

Psalms 37:30-32

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.  The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.  The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death……

Titus 2:7-8

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Proverbs 17:27-28

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Written 2012

Revised May 2013

WDK