Getting Dangerously Carried Away

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 Theme: Some in the Corinthian church were allowing themselves to be controlled by demons in the name of Christianity. Key verses: “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led…no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” (v. 1-3) What God said to me: Dwayne, ignorance abounds among my servants. As it was with the Corinthians, so it still is today. I get blamed for a lot of stuff I really have nothing to do with. Some back then were mimicking the pagan practices of mystery religions in which they used to be a part. They brought those practices into my church. They even got drunk and had sexual orgies in my name! These are extreme cases, of course. Most of my people are much more “enlightened” and “dignified” than to go that far. But given the right set of circumstances and led by the right false teacher, many of my children would willfully participate and get dangerously carried away into gross abominations against me. That is yet another reason why strong Biblical teaching on the proper practice of worship is so very important. Some back then were even blaspheming my Son while they were supposedly teaching my Word in their worship services! A worship experience void of the Holy Spirit can be no worship experience at all, for only the Holy Spirit can lead one to speak the truth about Christ. Without my Spirit, demonic forces can mislead and confuse and ultimately cause people — well-meaning people — to be led into fallacy. What I said to God: Lord, thank You for Your Word that corrects us and warns us. Thank You for reminding me today that I must be emptied of me and my opinions and desires and filled with Your Holy Spirit every time I teach others Your Word. I see how easy it would be to assume I know the truth when in fact I am being deceived by a lie from Satan. That is why I must search Your Scripture, the only reliable source of revelation and instruction about You and Your Son. I humble myself before You today. Please fill me and use me for Your glory only.