Psalm 25:4-5 King James Version (KJV)

⁴ Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

⁵ Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Psalm 25:4-5 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴ Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
⁵ Lead me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all the day long.

I have a friend that would often say “Take me kicking and screaming into your will O Lord.”

I never really understand why someone who knows the Lord would voice this opinion which sounds so much like rebellion. Then as I read a friends devotional with Psalm 25:4 in the ESV those two words “make me” rung out deep in me. I belong to the Lord. As my Lord He has the right to do with me as He wills. I acknowledge that there are times when He uses my body to serve His good pleasure without so much as a please and thank you. He doesn’t have to, He is my Lord and I am His to command.

My friend’s outcry was honest. What struck me at his repeating it over the years was that he still felt that way even after learning the Way of the Lord. It might be that he felt like he still has some flesh that needs to be brought into submission but don’t we all? None of us are perfect.

What keeps us from walking just a little bit better each day since we know Him and love Him?

In my friend I see a self-image that fears he is not making the progress he expects of himself. It is that Romans 7 confession by Paul that he knows right but just cannot find the strength to do right. I see it but the end of that chapter has a great lesson.

Do not rely on your own strength. Lean on the Lord.

Isaiah 45:13 (ESV)

I have stirred him up in righteousness,
    and I will make all his ways level;
he shall build my city
    and set my exiles free,
not for price or reward,”
    says the Lord of hosts.

Inculcate is one of those words that fell from common use because of the diversity of meaning. I discovered it in researching indoctrination. I did so because I was pondering why we believe what we believe. If you know Jesus, you know truth and Satan’s lies will be seen.

While trying to find an appropriate meaning for the use of spiritual inculcate I found this verse in Isaiah. The primary difference being the stirring up rather than being told what you must believe. The key to this inculcate is righteousness. Christ abides in us. His righteousness is ours by faith. If we speak truth in righteousness, truth will do what truth does, reveal itself to be true. Righteousness recognizes righteousness and truth recognizes truth.

If you have been indoctrinated in a false religion you will not hear the truth, you will not know truth and Satan’s lies become the only thing you have heard and believe. I will not name names or point fingers. I am here to speak the truth and allow the truth to stand for itself.

What are the signs of false doctrines?

Strict adherence. No other doctrines contain truth and are not allowed to be studied.

Belief in the teacher. There is no other source of truth beyond what the teacher imparts.

Bondage. If you leave the doctrines you will die, perhaps even at the hands of those who declare they love you. If you leave you are the enemy.

These are the basic tenants of cults. Cult is defined as a different way of thinking and is not aligned with truth in any way. The Way followers were designated as a cult by the religions of their time. The Way believed in truth and made it a central figure of understanding.