And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” - Matthew 15:10-14
Our world is not ours. It’s many things rolled up into our temporary home. We enter into it completely vulnerable, each of us dealt a unique set of circumstances to deal with, learn from, and share with others so that they may learn, too. If we’re lucky, we get parents who love us and are good teachers. If we’re unlucky and get parents who don’t love and/or teach us, we must compensate by learning from someone willing to step up…or do it ourselves.
The world is filled with people, belief systems, ideas, cultures, and religions designed to lead us along a different path than the one we’re meant to find and stay on. There are only two paths, leading to only two final destinations. One is a wide road, easily found, more easily navigated, and the destination looks good from a distance, but offers unimaginable suffering once it’s reached; the other is a narrow path, difficult to find, difficult {and sometimes extremely uncomfortable} to travel, and the destination offers unimaginable rewards.
I know I keep repeating myself, but this is important. I think that many don’t see the world for what it is - a corrupt and dark combined classroom and playground, meant for hard lessons and the temptation of earthly treasures that all disappear when we leave this place. It’s been that way since Lucifer was cast out of Heaven. The earth became his domain, and we, as temporary residents of his domain, must endure a lifelong test, as we try to find the way to our Father. Satan uses people for his purposes - to turn others away from our LORD. The people he uses aren’t always strangers we know as “the boogeyman”; they don’t always look evil or monstrous. Often, they are our family members, acquaintances or friends who have some “pull” because of our love or fondness for them. Or they’re celebrities, musicians or athletes we admire. Or they’re members of our church.
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. - 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Our Father has lovingly provided us with His Spirit and His Word for spiritual protection and, also, life instruction. It’s our duty to bring our children up in faith, and spread the gospel to others. In doing so, we strengthen our Father’s presence in this world so that Satan loses his battle for our souls.
We must never allow anyone, regardless of who they are to us, to lead us away from our LORD. You’ll recognize such people if they:
trivialize sin. “Just this once won’t hurt.” “It’s just one drink/cigarette/
pill/etc.” “If you love me, you need to show me.” “You’re no fun.” “It’s just one thing. The store won’t miss it.”
discourage worship. “You can miss one mass.” “Just read an extra Bible chapter later.” “Just pray later. God will still be there.”
plant doubts. “Why do you believe in all that stuff? It’s not real.” “God doesn’t exist. You’re wasting your time.” “The Bible is just a fairy tale. None of it is true.”
mock/ridicule/insult. “You’re dumb if you believe that.” “I thought you were smarter than that.” “Wow, you’re gullible!” “You’ve changed. I don’t even know you anymore.” “What’s happened to you? You used to be more fun to be around.”
Losing such people is a sad, but necessary reality. If anyone in your life refuses to accept you as you are, and/or continually tries to knock your faith in God, let go. You can be there for them, if they reach out with questions, but it’s far better to put distance there than to have to constantly defend your faith to someone who isn’t open to it. Important to note: Although Satan may use people for his purposes, it doesn’t not mean that everyone he uses is evil. Nobody {including Christians} is immune to his attacks or influence; we’re all imperfect human beings who may not be aware of what drives our thoughts, words or actions. We simply must be more mindful of the tactics Satan uses to separate us from God. He’s the father of lies and false promises, but delivers nothing.
Additionally, we must never lead anyone away from or discourage their faith in God, whether they’re a devout Christian, have budding faith, or are confused about where they are in their journey. Understand that doing so is a grave sin. Every person has a right to their beliefs, unaffected by those around them. It’s their journey, and no one else’s, and we must all respect it, regardless of where we stand. Our responsibility is to:
Respect their beliefs, and time spent in worship.
Help them find answers to their questions, if they’re confused.
Encourage them to find their way to a relationship with God.
Connect them with someone who can help strengthen their faith, if that person isn’t us.
Share the gospel and other resources to promote their understanding of the gospel.
Offer to read the Bible with them, if they’re interested.
Pray for their spiritual protection, and journey.
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. - Ephesians 4:25-32