DON’T GET CARRIED AWAY WITH MEN’S TESTIMONIES

Read with me:

Psalm 37:1-2 KJV
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

Dear Believer,

Let me share this story with you to illustrate today’s focus.

In the early 90’s a man who was in charge of one of the departments of a large church became very successful. His prosperity was obvious to everyone, and then he started to teach others how to ‘make it’ and have ‘breakthrough.’

He would tell us, “If your Christianity is real, you wouldn’t be at this level? Why shouldn’t you have a car? Why shouldn’t you have a lot of money in your bank account? Your faith is weak!”

And his own life seemed to prove that he was a ‘man of faith!’ He was swimming in wealth, as it were. People envied him. He had a lot of admirers who went about quoting his ‘words of wisdom.’ People shared his testimonies everywhere.

Until he was caught!
It happened that this man was just misusing his position and stealing from the church. He was in charge of the funds and the large gifts that the church was receiving, and it was quite easy for him to steal large sums of money and expensive properties.

That was his faith! Those were the god that was blessing him!

A man who was one of his admirers told me how this crook’s ‘testimonies’ made him feel that God didn’t love him. He did what this crook’s told him to do, but didn’t get the same results. He only got to know later that he was following a crook and a thief.

If you let your walk with God be by sight, you will be deceived by professing Believers who are serving their lusts and greed and pretending to be serving God.

Testimonies are good, but only the Word of God produces real faith in His people. Or have you read in your Bible that great testimonies from people gives faith?

People can embellish stories and even build a ‘testimony’ on a lie. Most thieves believe in God, and many even attribute their success in crime to God’s help. There have been people who came to church and told the congregation what God did for them which actually was their reward of hypocrisy and serving the devil.

Psalm 37:35-37 KJV
I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

Now, there’s a reason God wants us to continue “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2). It’s because He’s the perfect example. Men can be fickle and fake. Jesus is ever solid and sure.

Yes, we can be encouraged by what God is really doing or has done in the life of a fellow Believer, but this should make us go to the Word and grow our faith, not build our expectations around the person’s testimony.

Believer, look unto Him and keep Him in your sight always. Let your hope be in His Word and not the word of man. He is the Testimony!

If His Word doesn’t produce faith in you, what else will?

But, friend, I’m happy you are a Believer. You will make the Word the platform of your faith. Amen.

Enjoy the peace of God this weekend and always.

Your friend,
Deon.
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For further study read Hebrews chapter 12.