KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 6:20 WEB” Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge,”

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A canoe or ship sitting on the edge of the ocean will gradually drift away into the deeper waters and will eventually get lost because it was not secured or properly anchored. Apostle Paul tells Timothy to properly keep all that had been committed to him . Heb 2:1 ISV “For this reason we must pay closer attention to the things we have heard, or we may drift away.” Dear child of God, whether you are a pastor or not, you have to seriously guard the truth that you have received lest you lose it. As a pastor, the flock has also been committed to your trust, and you must diligently guard it. You would be able to do all these by staying diligently with the word of God that you have received.

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The word says he must turn away from empty words  or defiling words that breed all kinds of evil and negative tendencies. These things come from very wrong associations or individuals who raise baseless arguments and questions that would engender unbelief. Turn away from such people. It does not matter even if they are your close friends. Avoid every negative influence, no matter who the culprit is. In this information age, be careful about the kind of material you watch, listen to, or read.

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The following scriptures instruct us not to allow any man to take us captive through vain deceit. Col 2:8 ISV “See to it that no one enslaves you through philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to the Messiah.” I have  encountered men of God practising all kinds of supposed spiritual directions that are very questionable. Some take bottles of anointing oil , mention whoever is causing them trouble, and then they crush the bottle on a piece of rock. Their intention is that the enemy’s life would  be crushed in a similar manner.

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There are so many practices that have no scriptural bases, yet a number of Christians do them. Dear child of God, do not just  do anything you see others doing. You must ask for the scriptural bases for such things. Some of these practices may be getting into witchcraft without your awareness.

Now, any practice that seeks to impose your will over a fellow human being, especially when you are also filled with bitterness against that person, then certainly a witchcraft spirit is functioning through  you. Stay with God’s truth of love and mercy, and you will not be overtaken by any demonic influence.

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THOUGHT: STICK TO GOD’S REVEALED TRUTH

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Joh 13:34 ISV” I’m giving you a new commandment…to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”

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Joh 17:17 ISV” Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth.”