A Crisis of Faith: Leaving Christianity

It's almost like it's own virus. I would describe it as a faith based pandemic. It's becoming a viral sensation to quit things. Your job, your marriage, and now, your faith.

But in the book of Galatians, believers were warned that all of this so-called "deconstruction" is just another gospel. It's a false gospel. And here is the warning:

Galatians 1:6-9

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

You might say, wait a minute! I don't think it's another version of Christianity that is causing people to deconstruct. It's from Christianity itself. So is it a false gospel? Is it another gospel? Here's why it is.

The gospel just means the good news. That good news is that Jesus died for me, he was buried and he rose again on the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4). Paul warns us that any other gospel is false.

The tactic of the enemy though, is not to attack the narrative of the risen savior though. It's to go back into the Old Testament and try to trick those in the faith who are less mature and twist scripture.

We know this is a tactic Satan uses, because he tried to use it on none other than Jesus himself!

During the time Jesus was fasting, Satan was misquoting and wrongly applying scriptures in Psalms. In fact it was Psalm 91:11–12 he quoted but tried to twist. In Matthew chapter 4 we read:

...and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and “‘On their hands they will bear you up,

lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

Now. Let's go the actual verse that was quoted and then look at how Jesus replied against the twisting of scripture. Here's the reference in Psalms Satan was quoting.

"For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone."

Notice that Satan did not misquote scripture. What he did, is twist the scripture to mean something it doesn't. This is how Jesus replied:

“You shall not put the LORD your God to the test"

Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16. Satan tried to manipulate and twist scripture and Jesus didn't argue the verses used. He fought back against deconstruction with the full council of scripture.

Scripture interprets scripture and when you fail to trust in the word of God and trust in his character, you wind up falling for the trap of demons. Which is to take scripture completely out of context and try to twist it to mean something it doesn't. Unless you know the Bible cover to cover, this can be used against you to trick your mind into devolving down a path that is hard to come back from.

Here's 3 ways to prevent deconstruction from taking over your life and losing your faith.

1. Stay in the word. As Jesus did, the sharpest sword to cut through lies is the sword itself. The Bible contains all the answers we need. If you stay in it, you are less likely to fall.

2. Rely on the Holy Spirit. It's the Holy Spirit that guides us into all truth. Without the Holy Spirit, you cannot interpret scripture. You need the word of God IN you to get the revelation found in his word.

3. Stay accountable. Discipleship is critical to your growth in the faith. It's important to find a strong believer to help you mature in the faith. Tik Tok, YouTube and Instagram are not suitable substitutes for discipleship. You need that personal 1 and 1 instruction. Someone that knows you and is invested in helping you grow.

Jesus wants more than a conversion experience with us. He died and rose again to tear the veil. To move us into a close relationship with him. Martha Tennison once said "you trust who you know". That's why we have to get to know Christ on a personal level through regular prayer, reading his word and discipleship in the church.

So don't fall for the trap. Don't listen to the lies. Get to know the God of the Bible. Not the false god being questioned on social media.

If you remain in him, he will remain in you.