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. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
II Cor 11:13-15
In the world today, there is so much going on in the way of identity theft; over nine million each year and growing; personally, I’ve been victimized several times. Certainly, there is no joy in replacing, changing and repairing your good name because someone wants to use your identifying information, to become you without your permission; to commit fraud and deception for their own gain. What I love about the Lord, He alerted me each time and I managed to catch the thief in the nick of time, without major consequence. Now, I am cautious and aware of how the thief operates, so I'm watchful that he does not have an easy access to my life or my identity.
This however, is exactly what the enemy; he steals the identity of Christ and parades around and gives the appearance of being the real deal. He transforms himself to look, speak and act accordingly, as to trick us into believing his deceptive qualities. He can present himself in so many forms; because he is the master of disguises. Certainly, if he was a snake in the Garden of Eden, he can transform himself into a handsome man or a gorgeous woman speaking enticing words that are very desirable and hard to resist; tempting you with the melodic and sultry sound of their voice and then will turn you every which way but loose. His only interest is to deceive you for his own gain, committing fraud, rummaging through your life, and reeking havoc. The thief’s plan is simple, he comes, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy you; to leave you as evidence that he's been here and boast about what he’s done.
Paul writes this letter to the Corinthians to alert them about this very subject and he gives them a good verbal thrashing; honestly, we need some Paul-like apostles today to shake us up and get us back on track. He goes on to let them know that he was concerned that they were becoming victims and being led astray from what they knew was the truth he’d preached. He tells them, have I not come to you and preached as the truth of Christ that is in me? And that no man will stop me from boasting this truth. Have I not preached this because I love you, only God knows how much? I tell you that I do, what I do and will continue to do what I do, in order to dispute their claim that they are doing a work for and according to the Word of God. They are deceitful; and pretending to be something that they are not. They glory only in themselves and from such, turn away, for their end is destruction.
It is vital to our existence in Christ that we are not led astray by strange men with strange doctrine that have stolen His identity and are perpetrating lies in His name. The importance of studying the Word is crucial, so that we are not a victim of being led astray. Spending time with the Lord and in His Word helps to keep us in tune; asking Him to reveal His Word to you because there is nothing like getting it first hand. There are so many doctrines, so many interpretations, and so many that come in His name, that we must seek the face of God for ourselves in order to discern if what we are hearing, is truth or not. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world; this is what the Word teaches (I John 4:1). The Corinthians were in the process of throwing away everything they had learned from Paul; and preferred what they were hearing from the new "apostles.”
The scriptures remind us about the days coming when men would have itching ears, desiring not sound doctrine and turn their ears away from the truth. Let us stand fast on what we’ve heard, believed, and learned according to the gospel, so we won’t be deceived by the one, who is the master in the master of disguises.
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
II Cor 11:13-15
In the world today, there is so much going on in the way of identity theft; over nine million each year and growing; personally, I’ve been victimized several times. Certainly, there is no joy in replacing, changing and repairing your good name because someone wants to use your identifying information, to become you without your permission; to commit fraud and deception for their own gain. What I love about the Lord, He alerted me each time and I managed to catch the thief in the nick of time, without major consequence. Now, I am cautious and aware of how the thief operates, so I'm watchful that he does not have an easy access to my life or my identity.
This however, is exactly what the enemy; he steals the identity of Christ and parades around and gives the appearance of being the real deal. He transforms himself to look, speak and act accordingly, as to trick us into believing his deceptive qualities. He can present himself in so many forms; because he is the master of disguises. Certainly, if he was a snake in the Garden of Eden, he can transform himself into a handsome man or a gorgeous woman speaking enticing words that are very desirable and hard to resist; tempting you with the melodic and sultry sound of their voice and then will turn you every which way but loose. His only interest is to deceive you for his own gain, committing fraud, rummaging through your life, and reeking havoc. The thief’s plan is simple, he comes, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy you; to leave you as evidence that he's been here and boast about what he’s done.
Paul writes this letter to the Corinthians to alert them about this very subject and he gives them a good verbal thrashing; honestly, we need some Paul-like apostles today to shake us up and get us back on track. He goes on to let them know that he was concerned that they were becoming victims and being led astray from what they knew was the truth he’d preached. He tells them, have I not come to you and preached as the truth of Christ that is in me? And that no man will stop me from boasting this truth. Have I not preached this because I love you, only God knows how much? I tell you that I do, what I do and will continue to do what I do, in order to dispute their claim that they are doing a work for and according to the Word of God. They are deceitful; and pretending to be something that they are not. They glory only in themselves and from such, turn away, for their end is destruction.
It is vital to our existence in Christ that we are not led astray by strange men with strange doctrine that have stolen His identity and are perpetrating lies in His name. The importance of studying the Word is crucial, so that we are not a victim of being led astray. Spending time with the Lord and in His Word helps to keep us in tune; asking Him to reveal His Word to you because there is nothing like getting it first hand. There are so many doctrines, so many interpretations, and so many that come in His name, that we must seek the face of God for ourselves in order to discern if what we are hearing, is truth or not. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world; this is what the Word teaches (I John 4:1). The Corinthians were in the process of throwing away everything they had learned from Paul; and preferred what they were hearing from the new "apostles.”
The scriptures remind us about the days coming when men would have itching ears, desiring not sound doctrine and turn their ears away from the truth. Let us stand fast on what we’ve heard, believed, and learned according to the gospel, so we won’t be deceived by the one, who is the master in the master of disguises.
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
|
