My Daily Journal:
Hero Worship: It amazes me how people follow and worship other people. They have a NASCAR driver they follow. They can tell the stats of each player on their favorite team. They invest time watching and discussing singers and actors, turning them into American Idols.
But if these “heroes” do not stand for God, then they are tricks and lies. If they lead others into temptation, then they are counterfeit heroes. They are not the real deal. They are counterfeit. They are also not just misguided. If they oppose the one true God, seeking praise for themselves over God, then they are to be avoided. Deliver us from evil.
My Answers:
9.
a.
13-14: Narrow vs wide gate/broad road. Narrow to life, wide to destruction
15 False prophets (sheep/wolves) 16 (fruit: grape from thornbush, fig from thistles) 17-18 (tree bearing fruit)
b.
good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
10.
a.
Do not trust outward appearances, particularly in regard to teachers of faith. They may “look the part”, but they are a shell containing viciousness
b.
They are not “misguided” they are wicked. False teaching of the gospel and thus, opposing God, is ranked among worse offenses. They may have Reverend as a title but that does not mean they are to be revered. Christ had no issue calling the highest church leaders a brood of vipers.
c.
1. Beware – trickery abounds and what looks good and easy is seldom right
2. Make sure my life and ministry is bearing good fruit from the Spirit within me. Trust it and the Word of God alone, not my desire for what I want it to say instead. Guard my heart from evil and watch my words, they cannot be taken back.
The Notes are Good 