How could this happen? The tree had all the signs of life & strength. The birds & squirrels loved and trusted it, yet when the storms came, it broke in the middle. It appears that dirt, water, and seed set up in the fork of the tree. Over time the seeds sprouted, and the tiny roots found their way into the heart of the tree causing it to rot. When the winds came one limb broke off and a day later, two other major limbs broke off. This was a God School Lesson found in His textbook, the Bible.

Listen to the words of the Prophet Jeremiah recorded in Lamentations 2:14, about false teaching and the fall of the once powerful & beautiful city of Jerusalem. “Your prophets have said so many foolish things, false to the core. They did not save you from exile by pointing out your sins. Instead, they painted false pictures, filling you with false hope.”

• Principle – All teachings should be tested & validated against scripture. “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3

Jesus clearly told us in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

• Principle – God’s Word is Truth, everything else is opinion. In Matthew 22:29, Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.”

“Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding” 2 Peter 1:20

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16

The tree did not rot suddenly. It happened slowly. Little things crept into the tree’s life and took over. In recent years we have witnessed leaders & organizations fall due to rot. Everyone is susceptible to rot. It is a choice.

So, how do we keep ourselves from ending up in a broken mess? Hebrews 2:1 identifies the daily habit. “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” It begins before our feet hit the floor with an attitude of gratitude, followed by prayer & spending at least a few minutes in His Word before rushing out the door. Giving Him our first & best, instead of what’s leftover at the end of the day.