Today, let us consider the very important words of Jesus to His disciples, because I believe they apply to us today as His disciples as well.
A proper understanding of certain passages in the Bible will guard you against some religious practices we see today and equip you with Kingdom principles for effective ministry. By aligning our actions with God’s instructions, we can serve faithfully, lead with integrity, and make a lasting impact in the lives of those we minister to.
These practices can be so loud and dominant that they make you think they are right. If you do not align with what they teach, you are quickly labeled a rebel. But Jesus is our standard, not any man.
The Words of Jesus
Matthew 23:1–3 (GNT)
“Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples.
‘The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees are the authorized interpreters of Moses' Law.
So you must obey and follow everything they tell you to do; do not, however, imitate their actions, because they don't practice what they preach.’”
When the Message Is Right but the Lifestyle Is Wrong
We live in a generation where many people preach what they do not practice. Some preach the sound word of God, but their lives do not back it up. This is why understanding the Bible correctly is crucial—it helps you discern truth from error, follow God’s Word faithfully, and avoid being misled by appearances or hypocrisy.
The wrong lifestyle of some of these preachers is so obvious that many people know they are living wrongly, yet they continue preaching.
There are also those who preach the wrong message altogether.
When it is a wrong message, we have no obligation to listen.
But when the message is right and the lifestyle does not align, Jesus has already advised us on what to do.
He says: take their words, but do not copy their actions.
In other words, obey the word of God they teach, but do not imitate their wrong lifestyle.
Pause and think about that carefully.
Judgment Is Not Ours
There are many religious people who condemn a man of God and judge those who listen to him as not being true children of God, simply because that preacher is not living right. Yet, the key lies in discerning the truth of Scripture and embracing the power in the word of God, which is effective regardless of human imperfections.
For example, when a man of God divorces his wife. I am not discussing whether divorce is good or bad. The point is that some religious people will discourage you from listening to such a man simply because he is divorced.
Jesus’ words suggest otherwise.
I have seen many “good” Christians condemn a preacher and those listening to him, acting as though they are the final judge — forgetting that both they and the preacher will be judged by the same Lord.
So whenever someone makes you feel it is wrong to listen to a preacher simply because they have found fault in his personal life, they may be acting against the very words of Jesus.
Do you understand the basics of Christianity, and how good are you in them?
However, if you are advised not to listen because the message itself is wrong, that is justified.
Be Christians, Not Just Religious
Let us be true Christians — not merely religious people who assume others are less righteous than we are and therefore should be ignored.
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