Bible Study

We ladies have started our Beth Moore study this week called Living Beyond Yourself. It is a study of Galatians, particularly focusing of the fruit of the Spirit. I've already been getting a huge blessing from it (only on day 2 of our homework!) I'd like to share some things that I've been learning about.

When Paul and Barnabas were in Galatia preaching, there were many Jews who got very upset with their teaching. They wanted to stir up trouble for these preachers so who do you think they went to first to plant these bad ideas? Acts 13:50 says these Jews went to the God-fearing women of high standing (NIV) - the devout and honourable women (KJV).......
When the serpent wanted to beguile Adam and Eve in the garden, who did he go to first? Gen 3:1 He approached the woman.....
WHY?
Woman have influence! It can be used in the most positive of ways, but also can be used in the most detremental ways.

After finishing Day 1 of my homework, I had this on my mind. How much of an influence women can be. That evening I was flipping through some God-Tube videos and came across one about Oprah, one of the most powerful and influential women on earth. I was surprised and shocked to read about the book club book she is reading through and having online classes with millions of women. She is preaching a gospel of self salvation.

"God is a feeling....not a belief??" The Word of God clearly says that the heart is wicked, man loves darkness rather than light. It also says believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.
I know many Christian women are allowing her into their homes everyday. Just because you acknowledge that you do not believe what she is promoting does NOT make it harmless to watch.
2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them-bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up......(NIV - because that is what the study is written in)
These false teachers are greedy for power, position, popularity.
2 Cor 11:4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

Don't put up with it!!! Don't allow these false teachers to enter your home. It is NOT harmless television. Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres, Whoopie Goldberg...the list goes on......all promote anything but Jesus Christ. Women ARE influential. Do not think for a moment that having these programs on is just harmless noise to pass the time. Turn them off!