Blowing in the Wind

“Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.” Ephesians 4:11.  Paul was speaking to relatively new believers, but also to all of us, when he wrote these words.  When the church was young, there was no written gospel as we know it.  Paul’s letters were being circulated, and the teaching of the apostles was being taught. It was very simple to throw people off if they were not fully grounded, and equipped in their faith. Lots of conniving individuals were infiltrating the ranks trying to undermine the true beliefs or gain control for themselves.  In addition to this statement, Paul reminded the followers that Christ had given the church, as a gift; apostles,  prophets,  evangelists,  pastors and teachers. It was their responsibility  to equip God's people to do his work, and build up the church, the body of Christ so they wouldn‘t fall prey to unauthorized and divisive teachings.  2000+ years later this scripture holds true for us as well, maybe even more so.  Everywhere you look someone is hawking a new book, video, personal philosophy etc. re-explaining Jesus and the church.  Some are wonderful, God-inspired,  Biblically sound resources; others are not.  The problem arises when we try to decide which is which.  If we ourselves are not fully equipped, and trained in the word, by trustworthy teachers, we can fall for new, improved doctrine that sound oh so good, and true.  My husband and I were caught in our car during a torrential rainstorm with straight-line winds the other day.  Praise God, our little Vibe stood its ground, even through some violent shaking.  Will you be able to do the same when those winds of teaching hit you?