BE CAREFUL OF WILD GOURDS — THESE ARE THE LAST DAYS

📖 2 Kings 4:38–41 

“And Elisha came again to Gilgal, when there was a famine in the land. And as the sons of the prophets were sitting before him, he said to his servant, ‘Set on the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.’
One of them went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine and gathered from it his lap full of wild gourds, and came and cut them up into the pot of stew, not knowing what they were.
And they poured out some for the men to eat. But while they were eating of the stew, they cried out, ‘O man of God, there is death in the pot!’ And they could not eat it.
He said, ‘Then bring flour.’ And he threw it into the pot and said, ‘Pour some out for the men, that they may eat.’ And there was no harm in the pot.”

1. Spiritual Famine Leads to Desperation

In this passage, Elisha and the sons of the prophets are in a famine. Food is scarce, and the hunger is real. One of the men goes out to gather something—anything—that seems edible. He finds wild gourds, which he assumes are good, but they are actually poisonous.

🔍 Just like physical famine leads to eating whatever is available, spiritual famine—a lack of sound teaching—can cause people to consume spiritual poison without realizing it.

Amos 8:11 
“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.”

Today, we are in a time when many are spiritually hungry, but instead of turning to Scripture, people are turning to attractive, deceptive teachings that feel good but lack truth.

2. Not All “Good” Teachings Are Godly

The man in 2 Kings 4 had good intentions, but he lacked discernment. What he added to the pot looked edible—it even looked nourishing—but it brought death.

🛑 Modern Application:
This is how false teachings enter the church today. They appear biblical. They sound encouraging. But they are deadly because they distort or deny key truths about the Gospel.

Examples include:

• Hyper-grace teaching: “You’re saved by grace, so your actions don’t matter.”
• Prosperity gospel: “God wants you rich now; suffering isn’t part of God’s will.”
• Universalism: “Everyone will be saved in the end, no matter what they believe.”
• Denial of the end times: “There’s no rapture, no judgment; focus on success now.”

2 Timothy 4:3–4
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

3. False Teachers Often Appear Innocent

Jesus warned that false prophets would come looking innocent but inwardly be dangerous.

Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

Today’s false teachers may quote Scripture, wear collars, write books, or build mega-platforms. But if they don’t preach Christ crucified, repentance, and holy living, they are not feeding your soul—they’re poisoning it.

4. The Word of God Is the Cure

In the story, Elisha doesn’t throw away the pot of stew. He throws in flour, symbolizing the Word of God—and the stew is healed.

Psalm 107:20 
“He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.”

Just as flour purified the poisoned pot, God’s pure Word can correct false teaching, restore spiritual health, and bring clarity where there’s confusion.

5. The Christian Life Requires Holiness and Watchfulness

Modern teachings that eliminate holiness, ignore judgment, and focus only on earthly success are like wild gourds. If you consume them, you risk spiritual death.

Hebrews 12:14 
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

And Jesus reminded us to stay ready for His return:

Luke 12:35–36 
“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.”

Our focus must remain on Christ, on eternity, and on living lives that reflect His character.

Be Discerning in What You “Eat” Spiritually

When you’re spiritually hungry, be careful what you consume. Just because something is popular, well-presented, or “feels good” doesn’t mean it’s true. Always test the teaching by the Word of God.

1 John 4:1 
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Not everything that fills you feeds you.
Beware of wild gourds.

Stay in the Word. Walk in holiness. Wait for Christ.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.

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