Discerning
Can humans make their own gods?
If so, they are not gods at all! ~ Jeremiah 16:20a (CEB)
Don’t let anyone fool you by using senseless arguments. These arguments may sound wise, but they are only human teachings. They come from the powers of this world and not from Christ. ~ Colossians 2:8 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
Don't be fooled by counterfeit influences.
PRAYER:
Thank you, God, for being the real thing -- as demonstrated by Jesus. I like to think that I'm smart enough and strong enough that I could avoid the fake God's of life. But I'm probably overconfident. Grant me some humility so that I can be better positioned to discern the genuine from the fake. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
