Who do you believe anymore?

[Secretive]

I have to say I'm really really confused about some spiritual leaders/ministers mainly on t.v. I've been searching and reading alot of negative stuff online not necessarily people who don't like others but you know other pastors/teachers who are questioning what they are teaching and saying they aren't teaching from the bible.
I have watched some programs on the trinity broadcasting channel and I really wonder if they aren't more entertainers to a point. I don't want to say who they are cause I know there are probably people here who like them. But I know I was watching t.v. CNN in fact last year I believe when they were talking of a popular pastor and they called what he preaches cotton candy christianity in that it looks great from the outside but no substance. I know in the final days there will be pastors/ministers/teachers who are false prophets even though some people will think there's no way they are so I think of that too.
Two I've seen on there that I enjoy is Jentzen Franklin & I think it's David Merritt. Also Joyce Meyer who is a really good speaker but I wonder if she's not more a motivation/self help speaker who interspaces her message with bible verses/God?
I know everyone says to read the bible well what if you do but you really don't understand it then you turn to people who can have it make sense for you but what if they aren't teaching the correct theology?????? It's quite confusing moreso when you are unsaved.


PS OPPS I think I may have put this in the wrong section???Sorry

 

[Chad]

Ask the Holy Spirit to grant you wisdom, guidance and the Word of GOD will come alive in you. Seek, find. Knock, the door will open. I recommend a study bible. I like the NIV and NKJV study bibles, they are very useful methods to understand the Word.

Some books I recommend:
What the Bible is All About
Halley's Bible Handbook
What Does the Bible Say About...
Mathew Henry's Commentaries
Strong's Concordance

 

[Coconut]

Secretive, you ask a very good question, and there is only one answer, and Chad has given it to you. I would like to add to that. You cannot ever hope to have understanding of God, without accepting His one truth, which is Jesus. The Son of God is the sum of all truth. He is the whole purpose and message and fullfillment of the salvation message from the first book of the Bible to the last. What good will it do to listen to any preacher if you will not accept Jesus Christ? None. Jesus is the one, and only thing man must be convinced of, if you are waiting for a preacher to convince you of truth, and you havent heard or accepted this one truth, the preacher has wasted his time, and you have wasted yours in listening to him.

Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Joh 14:17 He [Jesus] is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, for it neither sees him nor recognizes him. But you recognize him, for he abides with you and will be in you.

 

[rlowe]

Some ideas for better understanding

One way to study & better understand is using online Bibles, Bible Study, Bible Searches - on a certain subject. (example below on forgiveness search)

Ps 130:4 - Show Context But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
Mt 26:28 - Show Context This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Mr 1:4 - Show Context And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Lu 1:77 - Show Context to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
Lu 3:3 - Show Context He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Lu 24:47 - Show Context and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Ac 2:38 - Show Context Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Ac 5:31 - Show Context God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
Ac 10:43 - Show Context All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
Ac 13:38 - Show Context "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
Ac 26:18 - Show Context to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
Eph 1:7 - Show Context In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
Col 1:14 - Show Context in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Heb 9:22 - Show Context In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness._

(all above are from New International Version )

 

[Nigh]

...I know everyone says to read the bible well what if you do but you really don't understand it...

From my personal experience I'll say this...
Before I was saved, the Bible was just another book. Like the thousands in my local library, it held no special value, and I didn't understand it. It was not until I accepted Jesus as my personal savior, and Lord that the Holy Spirit granted me understanding of the word of God.
It reminds me of the time Jesus spoke in parables and his disciples asked him why he did so. Turns out, it was only for the saved to understand.
It is my guess that this goes for almost everyone. Until you have the Holy Spirit to guide you in knowledge and understanding, you will be in the dark.

May God bless you,
Nigh

 

[Chad]

Good point brother Nigh.

Matthew 13:9-11
9He who has ears,[a] let him hear."

The Purpose of the Parables
10Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" 11And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

As you can see, those who seek GOD will hear. You must be sincere in seeking His Kingdom in order to hear/understand the Word

 

[Fellowservant]

Amen: i agree with what is being said here, all who wish to understand God and his word, must pray for understanding of both him, and the word. Then his word will come to life for the believer: Saints are led by the spirit, men can only edify us, and use the gifts of the ministry to help perfect the saints, but in the end it is the spirit that gives us life, not men.

As far as false teachers we have the word of God to check them out, but not all men are thought the same, or are at the level of leaning that others are at, so if he bears good fruit, and is not teaching heresies, he can be excepted with God and men. There are no perfect teachers, God is still working with the good ones:star:

God bless