I have adopted a practice the past few years. When I am in a thrift shop and run across an item I know is used in witchcraft or a book that is tied to the occult, I purchase that item and then dispose of it. I can’t stand to leave it in the store for someone else to buy and put into practice. As our ministry touches the lives of children, I have seen too many wander into spiritual danger, experimenting with things they don’t understand because they didn’t know what they were getting into, someone misled them, or they liked the attention it brought them. It is a small thing to remove it from the shelf, but I pray that it will make a difference for someone.

The problem is that I run into more and more material that is spiritually dangerous, and I’m finding that the materials that pose the greatest threat to the church are not necessarily those that are straight forth about their contents. Those books that purport to be Christian but contain false teaching draw in individuals who would never read an occult book but could be misled by a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Last week my college daughter was home for fall break and I took her to the thrift store. While she browsed, I looked at the books. I opened up a book called Christian Parenting: Raising Children in the Real World by Donna Sinclair and Yvonne Steward, and I was shocked at what I found. Published by Westminister/John Knox Press in 1992, the advice given on the pages I read was less about how to train children by what the Bible says is right and wrong and more focused on how you can feel okay when your kids don’t turn out the way you hoped. One chapter claimed that the Bible does not give clear instructions about the morality of sex outside of marriage (have they read the Bible?), and another claimed that homosexuality may be tolerated as being genetically predetermined (which has been disproven). That was as far as I got. The fireplace enjoyed the book more than I did.

By using the label “Christian,” books like this introduce false teaching to those who are seeking practical, biblical wisdom. Christian pastors, teachers, and authors can help us navigate the application of biblical principles, but we should never rely solely on others to tell us what is right and what is wrong. God speaks to us directly from His word, and not knowing what the Bible says does not excuse us from sin. Leviticus 5:17 tells us that if one sins out of ignorance, he or she is still guilty. In other words, ignorance is not bliss.

It is extremely necessary that we read God’s word on a regular basis. If we aren’t growing in our understanding of the Bible and in our relationship with God, then we are regressing. There is no standing still. Our memories fade with time, even our memories of what the Bible says and means.

We need to compare everything we hear and are taught to God’s word before we decide if it is valid. If it disagrees with the Bible in any way, no matter how small, toss it out. Warn others. We need to be active, not only in stewarding the truth, but in exposing lies. It is the only way we will stem the tide of godlessness in our times.

I am sharing the chorus of an original song my daughter Lilly wrote in this Link. I’d love to embed it in the post, but facebook doesn’t allow it. You can click over and listen to her sing it though. It’s called, “I Am Bold.” It relates to what I am sharing with you today because going against the tide is not easy. God told Joshua several times to be bold and courageous. He assured Joshua he could do what God called him to do because He would be with him and enable him to succeed. God will give us discernment, wisdom, and opportunities to stand up and speak out. It’s our responsibility to share, but it is God who will work in hearts. We don’t have to worry about convincing others. We just need to give them the opportunity to hear the truth.

If you are giving books as gifts, know what is in them before you give them away. Please, don’t follow any teaching unless it agrees 100% with the Bible. Take the time to investigate. Ask questions. I will help you find the relevant references if you ask. And please, share the truth with others. Eternity is forever.

Image by Ken from Pixabay