"And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." -Ecclesiastes 12:12-13

Today, we live in what has been called the information age. Education is a buzz word in politics. Many a politician has ran on and won elections where the platform he used was education. Entrance into colleges and universities is very attainable to many people. Televisions in most homes bring all manner of educational material right into our living rooms. You can learn about almost anything you want just by selecting the appropriate channel on your television. Public libraries are available in even very small towns. And, there is the information highway, also known as the internet. By getting 'on line' on a computer, one can literally travel the world in search of almost any topic imaginable.

This mind set is also in the church. Even with the Bible and religion in general, there are countless resources available to find whatever you want if you are patient enough to look. There are many different bible translations and paraphrases to choose from. And, when the bible is not enough, there are bible dictionaries, encyclopedias, commentaries, and cross reference guides to obtain. Then, there is a vast number of books, magazines, newsletters, videos, cassettes, and workbooks to study by. And if that were not enough, all this information can be contained on laptop computers so that we can take our biblical libraries with us wherever and whenever we go.

Churches encourage all of this and more. There are retreats, camps, rallies, bible studies at home and abroad, seminars, even seminary extension classes taught to anyone who would care to attend. Without a doubt, we are awash in bible information.

Considering all of this, one would naturally think that we as a nation must really be on the right track with God. This, however, is not true. Polls tell us today that a huge percentage of Americans believe in God. That sounds like great news until you find out that some believe that God is the universe, the sun, or one of the planets. Or that God is the 'energy' within all people. Some believe that God is in nature and they therefore worship trees and wind and such. The fact is, just because someone says he believes in God does not tell you anything about what he really believes.

Ironic as it may seem, we are witnessing more of that which is displeasing to God than that which is pleasing. The Bible actually gives us a strong warning not to be deceived by what is happening today. We are told of the wickedness that will be flourishing during the last days and not the righteousness. Just how close to the actual end is impossible to say but certainly, we are living in the end times. One of the evidences of this is related to the subject of this article.

Paul advised his young friend and son in the faith, Timothy, to be on guard against some things. In 2 Timothy 3:1-7 Paul writes,

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

As you read this, do not forget that Paul is talking about religious people who are and will be found in the Church. Yes, that's right, in the Church writing and speaking about religious things. Notice that he writes that these people will have a 'form of godliness' and that they will deceive people, particularly mentioned here is women who are burdened down with sin. In other words, using religion to lead astray spiritually weak people. Surely you will agree that not all 'religious material' available today is of the truth. There is some material that is easier to distinguish as heresy than other material. But what about the more subtle lies that cannot be so easily distinguished, particularly by the more spiritually weak. The devil would have more of this out there than the material that is blatant error. And so it goes, people will be "ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth". So much material to study but never getting anywhere.

Paul told Timothy how to handle such error. First he wrote that although the seducing and deceiving would get worse and worse, Timothy should not listen to them but hold fast to the doctrine that he had learned and been assured of (verses 1-17). Then Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:3-5,

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."

Of all the information out there today, the one thing that most people like to hear the least is sound doctrine. In fact, there are very religious people who get mad at the mere use of the word 'doctrine'. Give them anything but sound doctrine and the truth. Too many people today have a 'lunch buffet' type attitude toward God and his Word. They peer at all that is out there available and what they do not care for they pass up for whatever is more appealing and for what they are more 'hungry' for. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6)

Remember, Ephesians 4:4-6 reads, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." There are many lies and heresies out there but there is only one truth!
 

- Bro. Brad Hill