Both the Old Testament (1) and the New Testament (2) are packed with exhortations warning us not to stray from the timeless teachings recorded in Genesis (3) through Revelation (4). Likewise, we are urged to beware of those who preach against the Bible (5) and/or live in a manner contradicting the unchanging God-breathed instruction (2 Timothy 3:16-17) which has been passed down for two millennia.

Unfortuntately, many in today's world - including some Christians - have lamented that our society "has evolved" since the Ministry (6) of Jesus of Nazareth (7) and His Apostles (8) and, therefore, the Bible is "outdated" and needs "revising" or "updating." This is no different than the cunning Serpent (9) manipulating the unsuspecting Eve (10) in the Garden of Eden (11) by asking her, "Did God really say" ____? (Genesis 3:1). We all know how that turned out. We've been paying for that Original Sin (12) ever since.
 
These unsavory opinions contradict many verses (Isaiah 44:6, 48:12; Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13; Romans 8:7-8; James 4:4; Hebrews 1:12, 7:24, 13:8; 1 John 2:15-16; 2 John 1:7-11; Revelation 1:8 and 1:17 to list but a few of many) that proclaim:
 
a) we are to worship, serve, praise and do our humanly best to follow a God (13) of consistency. He is the One who never wavers with public opinion (1 Samuel 15:24), does not conform to the ways of this world (Romans 12:2), does not straddle political fences (1 Kings 18:21) or cave to desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:17-21). He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
 
OR
 

b) we don't.
 

It's not being legalistic when proclaiming that there is no "in between," "updating" or "revising" required, but only a complete and unconditional surrender to the King we say we are followers of. Contrary to the present day society celebrating an "it's all about me" mentality, we are to submit and bend to His desires, not the other way around. For centuries, the Twelve Tribes of Israel (14) - God’s chosen people - tried doing things their own way. Eventually, they ended up in exile (15).

Whether we are at Church on Sunday or somewhere in public on Tuesday, how do we know when we are hearing the Truth of Jesus Christ (John 14:6) as opposed to when we are hearing anything else? The Apostle Paul (16) exhorts in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 that we are to "test everything; hold on to what is good." To be more specific, Paul is telling us we need to know what the Word (17) so we can prayerfully discern upon what we are hearing. Does it line up with the Bible OR is it a false teaching?
 
The Apostle Peter (18) encourages us in 1 Peter 2:2, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." After a seasonal period, we are to be weaned from that milk and, in place, seek out solid spiritual food- the fresh manna of Jesus Christ. The Word of God is for us to devour so we may be nourished and grow spiritually.

If we don't know what the Good News has to say about a certain issue, how can we be obedient (19) and do what God says to do about it? James 1:22 exhorts, "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." After all, the Acts of the Apostles (20) isn't called the Good Intentions of the Apostles.

 
We're grateful for many forewarnings outlined in both Old (ex: Hosea 4:6) and New (ex: Matthew 7:24-27) Testaments that spell out what is to take place if we adhere to OR stray from what God wants us to do. The Good News is also relentless in teaching about kingdoms and their inhabitants- once very righteous in the eyes of God- who ultimately perished for falling away from The Vine they were called to remain upon (John 15:5). Instead, they chose to follow their own rules rather than God's teachings (Matthew 15:9), seek their own understanding rather than God's path (Proverbs 3:5-6), and satisfy their own fleshly desires over the laws of God (Romans 8:7). Akin to children under the tutelage of sound parents, we can avoid the consequences of disobeying (21) our Father in Heaven and, instead, follow His guidance. We have a choice. By allowing the Holy Spirit (22) to enrich and direct our biblical exploration, we become more aware of what God expects from us while we're here on Earth. This gives Jesus the praise, honor and glory He so richly deserves.

Listed below are selected Bible verses related to False Teachers and Spiritual Blindness.

Old Testament Bible Verses

Genesis 3:1; Deuteronomy 13:1-9, Deuteronomy 29:3; 1 Samuel 8:10-18; Psalms 50:16-23; Isaiah 9:1-20, Isaiah 42:6-7, Isaiah 42:14-23, Isaiah 43:8,  Isaiah 52:5; Jeremiah 5:31, Jeremiah 6:13-21, Jeremiah 14:14, Jeremiah 23:1-40; Ezekiel 13:3-4; Hosea 4:1-12 & 14; Amos 6:12; Micah 2:11.

New Testament Bible Verses

Matthew 6:33, Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:15-20, Matthew 10:37-39, Matthew 13:13-16, Matthew 23:1-39, Matthew 24:11-12, Matthew 24:23-25; Mark 7:6-9 & 13, Mark 12:38-40, Mark 13:5-6; Luke 6:43-45, Luke 11:37-52, Luke 12:8-10, Luke 20:45-47; John 8:37 & 44-45 & 47, John 9:41; Acts 4:12, Acts 15:19-20, Acts 17:11; Romans 1:18-32, Romans 8:7-8, Romans 11:8, Romans 11:25-27, Romans 12:2, Romans 15:4, Romans 16:17-20; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, 2 Corinthians 11:1-15,  2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 1:6-10, Galatians 3:1-3, Galatians 3:10, Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 1:17, Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 6:12; Philippians 1:6, Philippians 3:1-4, Philippians 3:17-21; Colossians 2:4-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 1 Timothy 1:3-7, 1 Timothy 4:1-5, 1 Timothy 6:1-5, 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 Timothy 6:20-21; 2 Timothy 2:14,  2 Timothy 3:1-9, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 1:7-14, Titus 3:10-11; Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26-27, Hebrews 10:32; James 3:13-18, James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 1:19-21, 2 Peter 2:1-22, 2 Peter 3:3-4, 2 Peter 3:15-17; 1 John 2:15-16, 1 John 2:18-23, 1 John 4:1-6; 2 John 7-11; 3 John 9-11; Jude 3-19; Revelation 13:1-10, Revelation 22:16-19.

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If you're seeking additional information about Christianity on a more personal level, consider visiting a Christian Church here in Marion County (23). Introduce yourself to members and ask to speak with someone to learn more about Jesus. Surrendering your life to Christ (24) (a) is the most rewarding and everlasting decision you'll ever make, and it's comforting to have someone guide you as you begin your new life as a child of the Most High! May God shower you with great favor in this endeavor!

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Footnotes, Page Credits and External Resources appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (25), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (26), Discipleship Encounters (27) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment!

Modifications are welcome at goodnews@marionmannaproject.com.

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FOOTNOTES

  (1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/old-testament

  (2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/new-testament

  (3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/genesis

  (4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/revelation

  (5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-good-news

  (6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/ministry-of-jesus

  (7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jesus-christ

  (8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/twelve-apostles

  (9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/satan

(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/eve

(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/eden

(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/original-sin

(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/god-of-the-bible

(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/twelve-tribes-of-israel

(15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/exile

(16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/saul-of-tarsus

(17) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-word-of-the-lord

(18) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/apostle-peter

(19) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/obedience

(20) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/acts

(21) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/disobedience

(22) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-holy-spirit

(23) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city

(24) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor

(25) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies

(26) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education

(27) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

(a)  How Do I Convert to Christianity?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 12, 2020    https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html