THE DANGER OF HALF-TRUTHS IN SPIRITUAL GROWTH

One evening at the university, I was heading to our sports complex when I met a friend of mine. While discussing, she told me that she would spend the evening attending a mentoring vigil with some of her other friends. 

I smiled and told her these exact words: “Why are you guys jumping around? What are you looking for? Sit down and study the Word of God for yourself. Take time to pray too”.

You know what, it took years for me to know the value of discipleship and mentoring in my spiritual growth. 

It is true that studying the Word and prayer are basic ingredients for the believer to grow, but it is also important to know that we cannot grow without the help of teachers and pastors. 

One of God’s gifts to a believer is the gift of a Pastor. Every pastor has the assignment to feed and nurture the people God has committed into his care so they can grow. 

“and I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. And it shall come to pass when ye be multiplied and increased in the land…”  Jeremiah 3:15 – 16 KJV 

Without teachers and pastors, we can read the bible and not understand, or worse still, we can subscribe to wrong or false teachings that sound true.

It is a different thing to read. It is a different thing to understand. The Ethiopian Eunuch was coming from Jerusalem, where he had gone to worship. He must have been so blessed that he began to read the book of the Prophet Isaiah in his chariot. But there was a problem- a lack of understanding. What did the Lord do to help him? He sent him Phillip. 

Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. 

Acts of the Apostles 8:30 – 31 NLT

When the Lord sends you teachers and pastors, create space for them on your chariot. Give them room on your agenda. Give them space to impact your life. Do not stay in isolation. 

Even Jesus listened to teachers of the Law when he was age twelve. Apostle Paul had Ananias at the beginning of His Christian walk, who affirmed some of the experiences he was having at that season of his life.  

And Jesus Christ gave gifts unto men “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” 

Ephesians 4:12 KJV

Do not live on half-truths. It is dangerous. 

© temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa