Go Fly A Kite

Hebrews 13:9; 1 Timothy 1:3-4; Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Peter 2:1


I have always been fascinated with kites. I am certain that it began at the beach when I was a child. We would vacation every year in North Myrtle Beach and I recall people standing on the shore, hanging onto strings that rose hundreds of feet to decorated assemblies of paper or plastic, arrayed in all sorts of shapes and sizes, waving about over the ocean and shoreline. The best could make them dance in the wind, swaying back and forth, diving at incredible speeds and then rushing back to the clouds to be on display for miles around. 

I also recall purchasing a few kites of my own... and watching them crash to the ground, getting caught in a tree, and eventually flying off to a land far away (or at least it seemed). But those guys on the beach made it look so easy. They obviously knew the capabilities and limitations of the particular kite they were controlling, and they were aware of the winds. Some winds are perfect for kite flying and others are dangerous. You don't fly a kite in unstable winds.

Likewise, we shouldn't leave ourselves susceptible to unstable teaching. Ephesians 4:14 tells us we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (NASB) There are wolves among us. Wolves in sheep's clothing. Jesus says in Matthew 7:15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves." (NASB) 

So how do we discern between teachers of truth and wolves propagating false doctrine? Jesus goes on to say "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits." (NASB) vv. 16-20

So let us pay careful attention to which teachings we acknowledge and promote, and as 2 Peter 3:17-18 says, be on (our) guard so that (we) are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from (our) own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. (NASB)

Romans 16:17 (NASB) Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

Pastor Mike Deese