Quite a few years ago we did a devotional series called Short and Sweet. In it we studied the shortest books of the Bible, and compared the lessons learned in them to some common tales we had heard as children. We compared the lessons of Jude, to those of Little Red Riding Hood. In the children’s story, Little Red encounters a wolf. She knows she is not supposed to talk to him, but she does anyway. He seems nice, and he says the right things, but inside he is only hoping to feed his own viscous appetite, and destroy Little Red in the process.

It is so fun to learn something new, isn’t it? I love a good book, reel, podcast, or anything that teaches me a new trick, or some fun tidbit that may be good for nothing but a game of trivia.

When Paul and Silas came to them with the good news about Jesus they were very eager to hear it. However, every time Paul spoke, they met and poured over the Scriptures to make sure everything he said lined up with what they had already been taught through the Word of God. At that time, the Scriptures they were using would be, for us, now what makes up our Old Testament. As they compared Paul’s teaching to God’s revealed Word, they were thrilled to see it was true!

It is vital to examine the people and things that have spiritual influence over you. This includes your pastors, your leaders, your church, the books you read, the podcasts you listen to, etc. If anyone ever teaches a gospel that excludes Jesus or includes greed, sexual immorality, lust or debauchery, you must flee immediately. 

Have you ever been lost? I mean middle of the woods, disoriented and lost? The “I am sure I came this way,” only to turn back around after 10 minutes lost? You try to “trust your gut” only to become really desperate for your cell signal to be strong enough to connect to Google Maps again! Anything would be more reliable than your “feelings.”