The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul told the elders in Ephesus, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock”, and in chapter twenty and verse thirty of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul said, “of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things” where we read:
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
The verse begins, “Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, ...” Luke began with the words, “Also of your own selves” which means “even so and indeed among those who belong to your, the members of the church in Ephesus, own selves” “shall men arise” or “will male human beings be raised up, brought forward and appear”, “speaking perverse things” which means “declaring, proclaiming and uttering corrupt, misinterpreted and distorted words and ideas”. Luke shared how “Paul” said there would be “men” within the church of “Ephesus” who would proclaim “corrupt” words and ideas that would do the following.
The verse goes on to say, “... to draw away disciples after them.” Luke continued with the words, “to draw away” which means “to drag forth with a degree of force implied” “disciples” or “students, pupils and attendants of Jesus” “after them” which means “following the deceptive men”. Luke shared how “Paul” warned the “elders of the church in Ephesus” that the men who were “grievous wolves” would entice believers within the church of “Ephesus” to follow them.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” gave the “elders in the church in Ephesus” a warning concerning defectors to the faith in Jesus Christ. Rather than truthfully following Jesus and aligning with the Kingdom of God, these “pernicious men” would promote ideas that were against God and His Son Jesus. Although people receive Jesus as their “Savior and Lord” and have their sins forgiven and are granted everlasting life, many people oppose God's plan of salvation and ascribe to having others believe in their false doctrines. God loves people, and anyone who receives His Son Jesus should continue in their faith and trust in Him as well as avoiding anyone or any idea that contradicts His Holy ideas and ways.
Next time Luke shares how Paul tells the Ephesians, “watch, and remember”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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