Date: July 13, 2023
Host: Jim Schneider
Guest: Mike Gendron
MP3 | Order
Jim began by referring to 2 Timothy 3 where Paul warns that in the last days perilous times shall come and he outlines a number of characteristics of those days. Then in verse 5 he notes, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” You’ll also see that he warns that this kind of deception will get worse and worse.
One of the greatest spiritual deceptions of our day is shown by the people who claim to be Christian yet the doctrine and teachings they espouse are very far removed from the Bible.
For example, in 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 Paul said, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” In other words, many people can be deceived and not even know it.
So how can we discern truth in a world of deception? Returning to Crosstalk to answer that question was Mike Gendron. Mike is founder and director of Proclaiming the Gospel Ministry. Mike was a devout Roman Catholic for over 3 decades and was taught to rely upon the authority of the church above all else. Mike searched the Scriptures and was amazed to find that what he read in Scripture contradicted the teaching and tradition of the church he had been a part of for so long. He trusted Jesus as his Savior and now the Bible has become his sole authority in all matters of faith. Mike is the author of the books, Preparing for Eternity and Contending for the Gospel and has produced numerous videos with warnings concerning false teachings vs. the truth of the Scriptures.
Mike noted how culture is redefining truth. No longer is truth objective but it’s subjective with people saying that your truth is just as valid as mine. God has given us a way to be protected from such deception. It’s through the infallible and inspired, authoritative Word of God. It’s the only infallible source for truth on earth. That means everyone and everything must be tested by the supreme authority of God’s Word.
How does Mike define discernment? It’s being able to tell what is true and what is false. Why do we need this? It’s because this is the way we can tell good from evil and it exposes those who call evil good, and good, evil. In fact, it was John (in 1 John 4) who exhorted Christians to judge concerning doctrinal and spiritual issues, telling readers not to believe every spirit, but to test the spirits to see if they’re from God because many false prophets have gone into the world. So discernment distinguishes truth from error in order to prevent false teaching from coming into the church.
According to Mike there are many areas within Roman Catholicism that deceive people. For example, all the graces needed to attain eternal life must be merited in the Catholic church. That brings up some questions. For example, how do you merit the unmerited favor of God? Also, if Jesus paid it all at Calvary, why is He offered daily as a sacrificial victim on Catholic altars?
So in the end, as someone who has great love and compassion for Catholics, Mike is simply saying, don’t believe him. Go to the Bible and see if what he’s saying is true. Are you trusting in Jesus as your all-sufficient Savior and His righteousness or are you trusting in sacraments, purgatory, your religious rituals or your own works? After all, you must make a choice. Christ alone is your only hope of salvation!
More Information
To receive a copy of Contending for the Gospel (at a 20% discount) and the free publication, Have You Ever Been Deceived, go to proclaimingthegospel.org or call 817-379-5300.
