The Blind Leading the Blind by Shalene

Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 1 Timothy 5:24 KJV

This scripture is referencing the choosing of the Pastors and Ministers in the church. Why do I mention this today you ask? I mention this today because of something I learned yesterday. I found out yesterday, first hand, how easy it is to become an ordained minister! Yes, I'm now ordained. Does that mean anything? NO! (And if any of you start calling me pastor or minister, you will really offend me.)

The thing that concerns me is not that pretty much anyone can become ordained, but that too many of us believe that if a person holds a title of ordained minister, pastor, or evangelist, that they must really know their stuff. And we follow them blindly because of it. Today, I hope to shatter that notion!

Let me be clear here. I am not anti-pastor, anti-minister, or anti-evangelist. What I am is anti-ignorance of HIS Holy Word. (Yes, I know none of those things are real words, but let's pretend for a moment shall we?) How many of you, like me, assumed that to be a pastor or to hold the title of minister, you needed some kind of schooling? That's what scares me! I am frightened for all those souls that are following someone that claims to be one of these; thinking that they are somehow more qualified to teach the Word of God- based solely on their title! This is not always the case.

I am aware that there ARE learned men and women that preach the true Word of God, and these esteemed people are most definitely qualified to do so. They also have my utmost respect. But there are some that claim to be learned and do not preach what is true.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John,and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 KJV

It's true that anyone can minister, if they but know the Word of God. And anyone can know the Word of God, by reading and studying it. You must ask yourself, though, anytime that you choose to follow the teachings of anyone: have they "been with Jesus"? Test what they say, test their claims. Do not blindly follow them! I exhort all of you, do not blindly follow me either. I am no one. I only follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, and am inspired by Him alone. But test all that I say as well. Know for yourself the Truth! We have become a society that does not recognize a fraud because we don't know one when it is staring us in the face. Get into the Word, and you too shall know the Truth.

I happen to belong to a wonderful institutional church, and am not telling anyone that they should abandon their church. What I am saying is that everyone one of the teachers within your church, if you belong to one, should be willing that you question them on their theology and their teaching, and it should fall in line with what the bible says. I, for one, believe the Bible to be the final authoritative, only infallible Word of God. Do you??

--Lord, I pray today that those reading these words will see that Your Name is to be glorified above all others in every teaching. I pray that they will learn the Truth of their own reading of Your Holy Word, and that they will not blindly follow the blind. I pray that Your Name has been glorified by my words, and that you continue to use me to reach others. I pray this in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.