Mysticism or the Bible.

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I've heard there is talk of mysticism in the churches today; some kind of physical experience with God. People are wanting perhaps more than what God has promised to us. He hasn't promised us a physical experience where we move up to some higher plane to see and hear things from Him. 

If we ignore the way in which God has chosen to speak to his followers, we can lose our way and head towards something that feels good but is not good.

Yes, God can give people visions and dreams. There are times he will do this. But not from us seeking these things. He gives these things when they are necessary, either for us or for his kingdom.

I have heard of people in Christian circles say, "Only speak of Jesus. Don't talk about the end of the world, or what kind of people they should be. Only Jesus."

Well, what did Jesus himself say? He taught the people about how they should live and he talked about the end of the world! So, these people contradict themselves. They say, "Don't talk about the commandments."  What did Jesus say about the commandments? A lot.

"You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother."  Mark 10:19

"And Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”  Matt. 22:37-40


It is vital for a Christian to read the Bible. The Bible is called the word of God; Jesus is also called the Word. If we do not know what the Bible says then we have no defense against the lies of man or Satan. We can be deceived; that is the reason God gave us his word from heaven.

"I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  Psalm 119:105

"Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."  Acts 17:11

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."  Deuteronomy 29:29

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."  Romans 10:17

In a prayer for his disciples, Jesus said, "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." John 17:17

"And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers."  1 Thess. 2:13

What Do You Treasure?

"The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart."  Luke6:45

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Luke 12:34

Jesus said that whatever we treasure fills our minds and hearts. If we want to make a lot of money then money is on our thoughts a good deal of the time and we will talk about that. I have met people like that. They talk about money and what they would do with it every time you visit them.

If we worry about our children, then we talk about them all the time. We worry and fret and try to fix their problems. If we we care about our career too much then our thoughts are always at work and we can't relax. Take any subject on earth, sex, drugs, or video games, it can become our treasure.


What's the answer?  "And He (Jesus) was saying to them, "Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides." Mark 4:25

Being careful of what you listen to is the first step. The Bible says that faith comes by hearing the word of God. (Romans 10:17)  

"For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:3-5

God promises us that if we seek for knowledge of Him we will find it. He says to search for him as for hidden treasures. If you knew the general area of a place that had a hidden treasure of gold pieces, wouldn't you spend lots of time trying to find it? 

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."  Matthew 13:44

God says it is worth all we have to find Him. He is the treasure above all other treasures. He is worth more than gold, silver or lands and houses. 

Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."  Matthew 19:21

For the man Jesus was talking with, his treasure was his wealth. Jesus asked him to be one of his disciples. He could join the 12 in following Jesus day by day and learning of salvation. But his heart was in his riches and he turned away from Jesus.

"Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life."  1 Timothy 6:18,19

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"  Matthew 16:26