Category: Identifying and Countering Deception

Ferreting Out Legalism: Part 3 – The Blame Game

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the third article in this series entitled Ferreting Out Legalism. In the first one, I took a look at how legalism attempts to measure spirituality instead of trusting in the finished work of Christ. The second article examined how legalism seeks to manipulate and control people through fear. This one focuses on how legalism focuses blame on individuals and groups in order to promote the false narrative that it is possible to earn our salvation.

Identifying the False Narrative

Psychologists recognize that we often deride and malign others in an attempt to bolster our own position or image. We sometimes project on others the things of which we are guilty ourselves. This is a form of denial. We imagine that we are guiltless, or least better than the person we judge, and feel comfortable accusing them, without realizing that, in so doing, we condemn ourselves.

Paul highlighted this sinful tendency in his letter to the church in Rome.

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. Romans 2:1 (NLT)

Our propensity to judge others for the things for which we are also guilty reveals that we have not accepted the truth about our own sinfulness.

Jesus told a parable (Matthew 18:21-35) about a servant who owed his master an enormous debt for which he no means to pay it back. Rather than condemn this bankrupt servant to debtor’s prison, the master freely forgave the debt. Apparently this was an affront to his pride, and the servant refused to accept that he was unable to pay back the debt. He immediately set about trying to do just that by collecting much smaller debts that others owed him. When a fellow servant was unable to come up with the money owed, the forgiven servant had him thrown into debtor’s prison. When the master heard about this, he became furious and had the previously forgiven man also placed in the same prison.

The root of the first servant’s problem was his pride kept him from seeing that he was a spiritual pauper, who had to fully depend on his master’s mercy.

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:3 (NLT)

We undercut the mercy shown to us when we refuse to forgive others.

By default, our pride makes us all gravitate toward legalism.

The false narrative is that we can improve ourselves and become acceptable to God, if we try hard enough.

Some of us have been engaged in a lifelong remediation project in the hope that one day, hopefully soon, we will finally arrive at our destination – perfection. The Bible teaches that this is the surest way to frustration, anger, and depression. Pursuing perfection can totally demoralize us or turn us into mean spirited self-righteous judges.

The more we try to measure up to the demands of God’s righteousness using our own resources, the greater will be our failure.

Paul discovered this and wrote about it in his letter to the church in Rome (Romans 7:14-25). Until we come to realize how bankrupt we are, we will feel comfortable accusing and condemning ourselves, our leaders, the church, and anyone else, and, by doing so, unwittingly ally ourselves with Satan, the Accuser. (Revelation 12:10) Misery loves company.

The Price We Pay

When we judge others in an accusatory and condemning way, we heap judgment upon ourselves.

And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3  Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Romans 2:2-3 (NLT)

Jesus also warned us about the flashback effect of improperly judging others.

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2  For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew 7:1-2 (NLT)

No one likes to be judged; yet, we often do it to others without regard for the negative consequences. Judging others restricts them and us. Judging invites God’s judgment into our own lives. Judging others strips away our joy and peace. When we judge someone, we lose the ability to help them or be helped by them. When we judge and condemn those in authority, we may open the door for divine judgment to fall upon us. I am truly concerned about those who call themselves Christians and who seem to feel very comfortable railing at our president. (Acts 23:5.  If you are not familiar with the stories of those who decided it was fine to attack and criticize Moses, you should read those accounts – Numbers 16. It is sobering.)

Examples

  • Sometimes I am surprised when church leaders say that the current broken state of society is the church’s fault. This presupposes that if we do everything right, everyone else will also do the right thing, which is totally false. Jesus did all the right things when it came to discipling his apostles: yet, one of them betrayed him. It certainly was not Jesus’ fault. God created Adam and Eve and gave them a perfect environment; nevertheless, at the first opportunity, they betrayed their Creator to follow Satan. Was that God’s fault? Of course not. Perfect parents, if there ever were such a thing, cannot guarantee that their children will turn out well.

The false narrative is that if we can perform well enough, we can guarantee an outcome.

If we accept the lie that the church is responsible to change the world through its performance, we fall into a legalistic trap that will lead to frustration, demoralization, or self-righteousness.

  • Some people teach that God always physically heals us when we ask him. They cite scriptures that bolster this position and insist that God is always true to his word. Therefore, if we do not receive our healing, the fault must lie in us. Elaborate schemes are developed to insure that we receive our healing. People are taught to deny that they are sick, since God has healed them already. They are encouraged to repeat over and over the verses that promise healing, in the hope that faith will grow and God will be persuaded by our persistence. I remember once when I heard that the family of a man dying from cancer would admit no one who did not hold the same belief about positively confessing healing. People who properly discerned that it was his time to die were not allowed to console and encourage him as he approached the threshold into eternity. I thank God for his promises. I thank him that Jesus paid the price for my healing. I believe that we should trust him to do just what he promised, but I also realize that it is in God’s discretion and timing how he dispenses his grace and gifts. Everyone dies eventually, and only God knows when it is our time. Jesus holds the keys of hell and death. When that moment arrives, nothing is going to stop it from happening. Likewise, before it is time for us to die, nothing can take us out by stealth.

Surrendering our lives and health to a loving and sovereign God is the surest way to peace and being able to discern what the Spirit is speaking to us about our situation.

(You can read more about this important topic in my book Seeing God’s Smile, which can be purchased on Amazon.

Conclusion

Life is so much easier and more joyful when we admit that we are spiritual paupers who depend on the mercy of God and have no right or business condemning others. There is a proper form of judgment, but it never includes condemnation. It is important that we refrain from judging ourselves, too. We get enough of that from the devil and other people.

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Ferreting Out Legalism: Part 2 – The Control Factor

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legalism and control are twins that depend on each other. God gave us freedom when he created us, but we traded our liberty for bondage when we fell for the devil’s false narrative in the garden. By pursuing what was presented as freedom from having to depend on God, we were trapped in bondage to sin and death. Jesus came to set us free once again, which we can experience if we are willing to voluntarily surrender ourselves to his benevolent lordship. Freedom is found in God. it is an unearned gift that came at great cost to our Lord. It’s opposite is the bondage of sin.

Freedom is based in truth. Bondage is founded on a lie. 

The gift of grace provides freedom; whereas, legalism, which is founded on the lie that we can and must earn our right standing with God, always produces darkness and slavery to sin. Truth produces freedom. Lies produce slavery.

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (NLT)

At the government level, the bondage of sin produces the darkness of totalitarianism.

Totalitarian governments prey upon the fears of the populace by offering security in return for the surrender of personal freedoms.

The goal of such governments is total power, wealth, and control. Sometimes more sinister ends are pursued, such as Nazi Germany’s plan to exterminate the Jews or China’s plan to snuff out the church. Once freedoms have been forfeited, the true nature of the totalitarian government emerges, resulting in the suppression of truth and anything that sets people free on the inside, such as faith in God and free speech. Propaganda replaces the sharing of freedom producing truth and ideas. Thought and speech are monitored to make sure everyone is toeing the line and marching in lock step. Where freedom exists, people are able to worship, speak, and assemble as they see fit. They are also allowed to have the means to defend themselves.

Totalitarianism also exists at the church level. The principle is the same as in government.

The church preys upon the ignorance and fear of the people and offers them a clear path to security with God at the price of surrendering to church control.

Keep the rules and kiss the ring, and you can go to heaven.

The Roman Catholic Church maintained such control over most of Europe during the Middle Ages. As with governments, the goal was power and wealth. To achieve this the church developed elaborate schemes to hold the populace in check. The church was presented as the only gateway that common people had to reach God. They were taught that the church held the key to obtaining and maintaining a right standing with God.  Only the priests could provide the sacraments that kept open the door to God – baptism, confirmation, holy communion, confession, matrimony, holy orders, and the last rites. Common people, called the laity, were taught that they had no direct access to God, making them dependent on the the mediation of the priesthood. All of this is contrary to the New Covenant.

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 (NLT)

The Reformation set dynamite to this Roman church’s totalitarian structure, opening the gates to the masses to approach God directly without needing the mediation of the church or the priesthood. The Word of God became the standard for judging what is right and wrong and acceptable to God, replacing the Catholic Church’s insistence that church tradition and the infallibility of the papacy trumped the Bible.

In the brave new world of the Protestant movement, people’s freedom to worship according to the dictates of personal conscience was restored, at least partly, which introduced a greater degree of personal accountability. Reformers took advantage of this freedom to explore and develop their own versions of what it meant to follow God, resulting in an explosion of new sects and denominations. But the Reformation did not deal with the inherent desire in humanity to control others. Soon the Protestants were seeking such control over the new sects, even to the point of persecution. Some things never change.

Today, in America, where at the moment we still have freedom to worship as we see fit, we usually find legalistic control at the denominational and local church levels.

We are free to associate with whatever church we choose, but sometimes we may find ourselves being manipulated and controlled within the church of our choice. Here are some of the things to which we should be alert in our quest to ferret out and free ourselves from legalism.

Insistence of the Acceptance of Non-essential Doctrines and Positions

An essential doctrine is one that is required for us to be called a Christian. If God does not require it for entrance into heaven, it is not essential here on earth either.

Any church or leader that requires members to adhere to doctrines that fall into the non-essential category should be questioned as to why? If we are satisfied with the answer, we may wish to stay. If not, we probably should leave.

Church leaders sometimes use their influence to pursue personal “pet” projects. For example, the United Methodist Church has aligned itself with the LGBT and transgender positions, forcing its members to choose between adhering to traditional biblical morality and leave the church or stay with the denomination as it careens away from biblical truth. Those members who have no firm anchor in God’s Word will likely be swept away by the church’s improper use of its influence and power. If you are in a church that is more loyal to a popular societal position than to God’s truth, get out before you partake it its judgment.

The Exaltation of Leaders

Totalitarian regimes, even in the church, always have a privileged ruling class. Jesus taught that a qualifier for leadership in his kingdom is being a servant.

But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26  But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27  and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28 (NLT)

If you see that your church improperly exalts its leaders, it should serve as a red flag. It is always appropriate to honor our leaders (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 1 Timothy 5:17), but never to put them in a separate status above the rest of the church.

The Attempt to Control Personal Decisions

Our forefathers in America during the Great Awakening defined slavery in a broad sense as not being allowed to follow the dictates of our own conscience. They were willing to fight and die to secure this freedom, but today we meekly acquiesce when the government routinely strips us of making personal decisions, such as during the coronavirus lock down. During what was called the Discipleship Movement a few decades ago, church members were told not to make everyday family decisions, such as buying new appliances or a car, without checking in first with whomever was in their discipleship up line.

It is never a good thing to make decisions for other adults because it strips away dignity and hinders personal and spiritual growth.

Paul made it clear that we are never to seek such dominance over the faith of others.

But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm. 2 Corinthians 1:24 (NLT)

If you are in such a church, get out before you get used to being a slave.

The Attempt to Control Thought and Speech

Our society is currently being assaulted by the thought and speech police who run Big Tech and who censor and seek to manipulate political outcomes in violation of our First Amendment rights. We are being told what words we can use, what positions we can have, and with what political party we should align.

The church sometimes has been duped into adopting a false sense of guilt and responsibility built on a false narrative.

For example, we are told that refusing to embrace the LGBT position is tantamount to a hate crime. However, if the Bible is true, we must love those who embrace that sinful lifestyle and proclaim that this way of doing life is in direct opposition to the purposes and plan of the Creator and will ultimately end in death and destruction. The gospel does not condemn us in our sin, but offers a way out. We condemn ourselves if we refuse the offer. God’s judgment against sin stands. The only remedy is faith in Jesus. The church is to operate in the dynamic tension between loving people who have been deceived and captured by sin while holding to the biblical position that all sin will be judged. Jesus did this, and the Holy Spirit can help us to share the truth with love, too.

If we find ourselves in a church that tries to control thought and speech, we must flee and find somewhere that allows people to pursue God in accordance with their own conscience and understanding of God’s Word.

Healthy churches teach biblical truth and encourage their people to check it out for themselves.

And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. Acts 17:11 (NLT)

Conclusion

In writing this article, I have made the presupposition that the reader understands that freedom does not preclude the proper function of godly authority in the church. The road we travel has two ditches to avoid: antinomianism and legalism. We live in a dynamic tension between freedom and control. True freedom is allowing God’s Spirit to control us. He uses people to help us along the way, especially church leaders, who are responsible before God for their flock. They are charged with teaching God’s truth, encouraging the weak and faint hearted, rebuking the headstrong when they plunge into sin and error, and even on occasion administering church discipline.

We must live in a dynamic tension between properly listening to those whom God placed in authority in our lives, while maintaining personal responsibility before God for our thoughts and actions.

Likewise, church leaders must always evaluate how far their authority can be properly exercised without damaging their people’s relationship with God. As with government, less is better.

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Ferreting Out Legalism: Part 1 – How do we measure up?

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the business world people are always looking for ways to measure success. Investors have come up with elaborate measurement systems to evaluate stock values. Corporate executives want to prove their effectiveness as leaders by showing measurable success. Since the goal of most businesses is profit, success is usually measured in this regard. However, if profitability is the only aspect of success, it is likely that important values will be sacrificed in the pursuit of the bottom line.

We live in a time when a large segment of the church has adopted corporate policies and methods from the business world with corresponding ways to measure success. The modern church growth movement is largely responsible, but it is part of human nature to want to gauge how we are doing on our spiritual journey. The Three Bs have been used by measurement minded pastors for years: bodies, bucks, and buildings. Rate of growth, numbers in attendance, and new baptisms are sometimes factored into the body count. Many times pastors try to leave their mark on congregations and their resumes by being the instrument for pulling off a building project, often saddling the congregation with debt and the pressure to maintain a high level of attendance and giving.

Measuring success by these three parameters pressures church leaders to corrupt the gospel.

Jesus set the bar very high for his followers and often “thinned the herd” by reminding them of the high cost of discipleship. Churches that major on attendance often struggle between preaching God’s unadulterated truth and being seeker friendly enough to keep people coming back. The pressure to keep church income high enough to cover the cost of staff, programs, and facilities can put pressure on leaders to overlook the sins and offenses of large donors and to target the most prosperous segments of society in violation of Christ’s clear command not to do this. (Luke 14:13-14) Measuring success by financial gauges can also lead to an unhealthy emphasis on money that drives some people away from the church and the gospel.

What does this have to do with this series topic, “Ferreting Out Legalism?” Legalism is a broad term that can be defined in various ways. In a biblical context, its opposite is salvation by grace through faith alone. Christ perfectly accomplished everything needed for our salvation. We do not need to add anything to it except our allegiance to Christ and trust in his promises.

Legalism, however, always measures a person’s spiritual status by demanding the addition of something to simple faith in Christ’s perfect work on our behalf, whether it is insisting on adherence to some outward standard of behavior or submitting to some form of control.

The early legalists insisted that Gentile believers not only must declare allegiance to Christ but also had to be circumcised, which was the Old Covenant proof of belonging to God. Paul decried this demand as an affront to what Christ had already accomplished through his death and resurrection. The proof that God did not require this addition to the gospel was that the Holy Spirit was given to believing Gentiles who had never been circumcised. If God accepted them without being circumcised, how could the church not?

Paul refused to allow the legalists to define Christianity in terms of adherence to outward standards.

For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. 20  My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21  I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. Galatians 2:19-21 (NLT)

A simple way to identify legalism is to ask ourselves if some standard is being used to measure our devotion to Christ other than our inner faith and outward verbal confession of allegiance to him. (Romans 10:9-10)

Legalism can be as obvious as a church forbidding its members to smoke cigarettes or as subtle as insisting that they make some sort of public statement in favor of a political hot button topic. It can be as easy to discern as insisting that only a priest can forgive our sins or as hidden as making non-essential doctrines a litmus test for church membership. Anything that attempts to measure our performance, demands that we adhere to some outward standard of behavior, or seeks to control us through spiritual means smells of legalism.

Trusting in God’s grace means we set our focus on Christ himself rather than evaluate our own spiritual development.

Think about it: can we ever really know how we are progressing spiritually? Isn’t trying to do so a trap? Paul wrote about this.

As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. 4  My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. 5  So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due. 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 (NLT)

By now I hope you understand that this article is only for serious disciples. If you are looking for an excuse to give yourself over to some form of sin in the name of freedom from legalism, you are going down the wrong path and in serious danger. But if we are honestly pursuing Christ, we need to be encouraged to disregard every man made report card.

There is no effective way to measure how we are doing spiritually because it has already been accomplished by Christ on our behalf.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)
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How to Identify a Satanic Attack: Part 3 – Mockery, Fear, and Intimidation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When lies and false accusations fail to accomplish their ends, the devil and his allies will resort to mockery, intimidation, threats, and fear to derail us from God’s purposes.

When Nehemiah endeavored to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, he encountered every form of satanic resistance and attack. The book of the Bible named after him is one of the best study guides for identifying and countering deception.

King Artaxerxes of Persia authorized Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall. When the Jews under Nehemiah’s command made the decision to take on this prodigious task, here is the first thing Israel’s enemies said.

But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked. Nehemiah 2:19 (NLT)

This statement contains mockery combined with a false accusation. The last thing these three men wanted to see was Israel return to any sort of strength. But Nehemiah refused to be intimidated. He replied:

...“The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.” Nehemiah 2:20 (NLT)

Work was begun immediately resulting in tremendous progress being made.

Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, 2  saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” 3  Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!” Nehemiah 4:1-3 (NLT)

The purpose of mockery in demoralization. If the enemy can discourage us, we may stop ourselves, without his having to actively resist in any way. Being made fun of is a powerful weapon. We must steel ourselves against being thought of poorly by others. What others think is not our business.

Nehemiah recognized it as a formidable attack and responded appropriately.

Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! 5  Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.” Nehemiah 4:4-5 (NLT)

If mockery fails to accomplish its objective, God’s enemies will escalate things.

But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. 8  They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion. 9  But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves. Nehemiah 4:7-9 (NLT)

The threat of physical violence is designed to either harm or kill us or to incapacitate us through fear and confusion. If we have to defend ourselves, how can we get anything done? Another possible response to the threat of violence is to cease from doing what provokes the enemy’s anger. Nehemiah refused to be intimidated.

So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows. 14  Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!” 15  When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. 16  But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah 17  who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. 18  All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm. Nehemiah 4:13-18 (NLT)

When we are under satanic attack, as was Nehemiah, we must be prepared to encounter mockery, fear, and intimidation without letting those things deter us from doing God’s will.

Later Israel’s enemies lied and falsely accused the Jews of rebellion to the Persian government, but that tactic was overcome, too. In 52 days, the wall was completed, an amazing feat.

We are not trying to rebuild a physical wall. Instead, followers of Christ today are working to build and extend God’s kingdom here on earth through preaching the gospel and making disciples. Satan works overtime to keep us from obeying God in these two areas. It is my firm belief that the devil will tolerate many things that churches do, such as fellowship, pray, worship, and teach the Bible.

However, when a local assembly makes the commitment to pursue obedience to the Great Commission, it can expect to encounter strong satanic resistance.

When this happens, a decision must be made whether that church will continue on course or abandon the quest to obey God.

Applying these principles to the national political scene, the COVID-19 panic has contained every element of a satanic attack.

We were lied to regarding the mortality rate of the disease, which induced us to fear and opened us to take draconian measures that limited our freedom and greatly damaged our economy. In other words, lies and fear led us to make self-destructive decisions. People who questioned the data and conclusions were mocked and cut off from having a platform to voice their dissenting ideas, which were labeled as “harmful disinformation” by Big Tech. Government officials used threats and intimidation to keep the populace at bay. They falsely accused dissenters of needlessly killing people by minimizing the deadliness of the virus. This is the most un-American thing I have ever witnessed in my lifetime – a stripping of our rights under the pretext of increasing our safety. Now the question is whether or not the people of this nation will continue to submit to such governmental tyranny and censorship by Big Tech.

The people of our nation have an opportunity to rebuild the walls provided by our Constitution that insure personal liberty. Our forefathers were willing to take on the most powerful nation in the world to establish this nation. They did it because freedom was better than life in bondage for them. Nehemiah was willing to endure the mockery, lies, threats, and even physical attack in order to rebuild Jerusalem. Restoring Jerusalem was more valuable than his own life. But we are part of something so much bigger – the kingdom of God, which will never be destroyed. Earthly kingdoms come and go, but God’s kingdom never ends.

But let us not forget that if the United States ever “flips” into totalitarianism, the church will come under intense attack. At that point, we will be tested in our willingness to stand up to every form of satanic attack all the way to martyrdom.

What do we value enough to fight for?

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How to Identify a Satanic Attack: Part 2 – False Accusations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most revealing names given to Satan by the Bible is the “Accuser.”

Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10 (NLT)

Satan began his assault on humanity by accusing God to Eve.

He claimed that God did not have her best interests in mind, could not be trusted, and should be disobeyed. It worked. Sinful people gravitate toward “dirt.” We more easily believe a lie than we do the truth in many cases. The closer to the truth we come with our accusation, the better it is. If Satan was not afraid to accuse God, he certainly will have no qualms about accusing us!

False accusations are violations of God’s command not to bear false witness.

Lying about people in order to convict them in court is called perjury, and carries a heavy penalty. Lodging false accusations against people is also a sin that carries a heavy price tag because it has the potential to destroy lives. God’s justice will see to it that liars are punished.

Modern politics is largely accusatory. Guilt or innocence is not the issue. Mud is thrown in the hope that some of it will stick in the minds of the voting populace. The current case of General Flynn bears this out. He was set up by President Trump’s enemies who framed him, bore false witness against him, ruined his sparkling military career, besmirched his character publicly, bankrupted him and his family, stole his freedom, and disrupted his life for years.

Jesus said that Satan is a “thief” whose goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) False accusations are a tool to accomplish that end.

Being falsely accused is one of the most difficult of tests. Everything in us wants to set the record straight. It is a fundamental violation of our character, integrity, and our reputation. Jesus endured this test without feeling the need to retaliate because he fully trusted in God’s ability and promise to eventually vindicate him.

But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken! Isaiah 54:17 (NLT)

Waiting for God’s vindication is difficult, but the reward will be worth it.

Looking at the current political landscape in America, it is obvious that we are under a severe satanic assault in relationship to the use of false accusation.

The mainstream media has relentlessly accused Trump and his supporters for the last several years. Almost all of these accusations have been proved false, but this has not stopped the president’s enemies for continuing their railing against him. Accusing authority falsely will be punished severely. Keep your eyes wide open to watch this happen down the road. God will see to it.

So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 10  He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority. These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at supernatural beings without so much as trembling. 2 Peter 2:9-10 (NLT)

Lately in response to the COVID-19 shutdown, we are being encouraged to accuse our neighbors by reporting them to the authorities if they appear to violate the stay in place orders. Totalitarian societies use this tactic to keep their citizenry under their thumb.

Such accusation is a betrayal of friendship and breaks down trust in a society. It is a tool of the devil used to demoralize a populace. He uses it to steal our freedom, kill our joy, and destroy our lives.

When people begin to accuse one another, you can be sure the devil is hard at work. When leaders are falsely accused, our eyes should be wide open to his operations.

How Can We Defend Ourselves?

When Satan accuses us of being sinners, he is right. After following his rotten advice in the garden, mankind has been on a downward trajectory. We are born with a sin nature called the “old man” or the “flesh” whose natural desire is to rebel against God. Jesus came and died on the cross as God’s Lamb. He took the accusations, the guilt, and the punishment for our sins, so that we can walk free of all three.

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24 (NLT)

The first defense against Satan’s accusations is to accept what Christ did to free us from them. Now when Satan accuses those of us who trust in Christ n order to condemn us, he is a liar and engaging in false testimony.

Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34  Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Romans 8:33-34 (NLT)

In the courtroom of heaven, God is the judge, the defense lawyer, and the jury. When Satan falsely accuses us, the case is thrown out of court immediately. This was settled over 2000 years ago. On an individual basis, we have been set free from the power of false accusation in the spiritual realm.

But what about the natural world in which we live? How can we defend ourselves and our nation against the accuser of the brethren?

The first thing we can do is pray that God will expose this activity of the devil and cause it to backfire.

We can also point out when false accusation is being employed by those around us. This is similar to exposing the activity of a gossip. It needs to be brought to the light. Lastly, we can make sure we do not engage in the same.

There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. James 2:13 (NLT)

False accusers show no mercy, and none will be shown to them. Let’s be mercy people. The Lord knows we need mercy; so, let’s sow it in order to reap the same.

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How to Identify a Satanic Attack: Part 1 – Lies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The more understanding we gain, the easier it becomes to navigate life. Knowledge relates to facts and information. Understanding assembles knowledge in a systematic way that gives insight. Wisdom uses knowledge and understanding to plot a prudent course of action. Satan undermines a society by sabotaging the flow of truthful information, which short circuits the ability to gain understanding and act with wisdom.

The Bible says that Satan is the “father of lies” and that “there is no truth in him.” (John 8:44) He overthrew Adam and Eve by lying to them about God’s character and motives.

A chief characteristic of a Satanic attack is deception.

Any person or organization that lies as a matter of course is satanically affiliated and is motivated and empowered by hell. (James 3:6) Over the past several years politics and reporting by the media has been characterized by deception and misinformation. You connect the dots. Many realize what is happening, which is maddening. Others, who have lost their ability to judge truth from falsehood, have no clue that they are being duped.

Booker T. Washington said it well. “A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good, just because it’s accepted by a majority.”

Since lying is satanic, those who give themselves over to lying become tools of the devil.

The scariest thing that can happen to a person is for God to give him or her over to the evil from which they refuse to renounce. (Romans 1:24, 26, 28) If that happens, there is no escape. Repentance is a gift from God, and if the Holy Spirit stops working in someone to influence them toward good, the evil present in them will gain mastery over them.

“Why are you so angry?” the LORD asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7  You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” Genesis 4:6-7 (NLT)

Sin mastered Cain because he refused to repent from his hatred and bitterness, resulting in his murder of Abel. This is what happened to Pharaoh when he repeatedly went back on his word and “hardened his heart” against God. When we refuse to respond to the Spirit’s promptings to turn away from evil, the Bible says that God “hardens our hearts.” (Exodus 9:12) The Lord gives some people over to their sin. He stops actively working to turn them away from their habitual disobedience, thereby allowing them to become captives to Satan to do his will. Paul wrote:

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25  Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26  Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NLT)

Abandonment of the truth leads to captivity by Satan. Large numbers of people in our government and the media have given themselves over to lying and have become active agents in a satanic attack on our country.

The purpose of satanic deception is to undermine our faith in God and human authority and cause us to make destructive decisions, thereby bringing upon ourselves God’s judgment.

This is how the first lie worked in the garden of Eden, and this is how Satan operates today. False information leads to bad conclusions which result in destructive actions. It should be obvious that this is happening all around us, especially in government, but also in society at large. Large numbers of people have swallowed lies regarding homosexuality, transgenderism, sex outside of marriage, abortion, and so on.

Believing lies results in disobedience to God, bringing upon ourselves the negative consequences associated with sin.

Nobody ever “gets away with” sin. We always reap what we sow, eventually.

How Do We Defend Ourselves?

The key to fending off satanic attacks is to first discern the nature of the attack, which allows us to respond appropriately. It should be obvious that the antidote for lies is the truth. Armed with the truth, we can make our stand against the lies and schemes of the devil.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. Ephesians 6:10-14 (NLT)

Jesus is the Truth. He stands opposed to Satan’s lies. His truth sets us free from the power of the lie.

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (NLT)

Once we embrace truth, it is like turning on the lights. The dark power of the lie simply goes away. It cannot survive exposure to the light.

Our job is to be proclaimers of truth, which starts with sharing the gospel. It includes a wholesale acceptance of the Bible as God’s written truth to us. God’s Word is truth. (John 17:17) But our responsibility extends beyond the confines of religion. We are to stand for truth in every area. We must be declarers of truth wherever we discover that lies are being propagated. In our day, this is nearly everywhere: government, education, medicine, the news media, television, the movies… the list goes on. Remember:

He [Satan, the anitchrist] will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 11  So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. 12  Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 (NLT)
Steps to Freedom
  1. Confess that Jesus, who is the Truth, is your Lord. To follow Christ is to embrace truth.
  2. Read, think about, and put into practice the teachings of the Bible.
  3. Repent in any area where you have embraced deception.
  4. Become a truth teller.
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How to Shine for Jesus in the Midst of Judgment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are in the midst of a pandemic during which nations around the world have taken great measures to protect their people, greatly slowing the world and national economies and societal interaction. These are unique times that deserve our attention. In the words of a politician, never waste a crisis.

If we go through this one without receiving what God intends, it will have been a terrible waste.

Point #1: God Is Sovereign

The author of Second Chronicles in the Bible penned these familiar words.

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14  if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (ESV)

Admittedly this promise was made to Jews living in the promised land. Does it have an application for us today? Through his death and resurrection, Jesus did away with the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, creating in himself what the Bible calls “one new man,” the church, composed of every race and ethnicity. (Ephesians 2:13-16) All those who put their faith and allegiance in Christ are part of what Paul called the “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:15-16) and are sons of Abraham (Galatians 3:7-9).

Followers of Christ, as children of Abraham, are to be a blessing wherever we live. That is part of our calling according to the promise made to the father of our faith.

You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ Acts 3:25 (ESV)

One of the main ways we can be such a blessing in the lands where we live is by praying that God will bring repentance and healing, which is the main focus of this article.

Before we go there, however, let’s pay close attention to the first sentence from the passage from 2 Chronicles quoted above: “When I… send pestilence…”

The Bible clearly teaches that God is sovereign over his creation. Nothing happens without his “signing off on it.”

God is not the author of evil, but as the Over Ruler (Lord) of all things, he makes everything, including evil, accomplish his purposes.

If you wonder where the coronavirus came from, ultimately it came from God.

This agrees with the admonition in Proverbs, which I consider to be a core passage of the Bible.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Believers in God are told to acknowledge him in all things, even difficulties and tribulation.

Since everything that enters our life has to go through him, we should always go to him first to get his perspective and our marching orders.

God has given us an amazing promise that many acknowledge but few seem to really believe.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (ESV)

Everything works for good for the believer. This is because God, as the Over Ruler, makes it happen that way. There can be no other explanation. However, those who are not God’s children have no such promise. The devils steals, kills, and and destroys those who do not have God’s protection. (John 10:10) Those are the ones God wishes to rescue from the consequences of their own sin.

Point # 2: It Is Extremely Important for Us to Have God’s Perspective

Just before Jesus’ crucifixion, our Lord began to prepare his disciples for what was coming.

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. 22  But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” 23  Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Matthew 16:21-23 (NLT)

If we fail to see things as God sees, we will likely find ourselves working at cross purposes with his will, as did Peter. It was God’s will for the judgment for our sins to fall upon Jesus, who died on the cross as God’s sacrificial Lamb. That was God’s plan. This was an example of redemptive judgment, but to Peter it seemed horrible and something to be avoided at all costs. He did not see as God did. He did not value what God valued. He preferred that Jesus be spared and the whole world be lost, but God ordained that his Son die in order to save the world. (John 3:16)

There is a difference between redemptive judgment and God’s wrath.

God’s wrath has no redemptive element. It is an outpouring of final judgment upon people who have rejected repeated overtures from him to repent and turn from their wicked ways. The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus endured God’s wrath for the sake of those who put their faith and allegiance in him, so that we never have to face it again.

And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment (literally: “the coming wrath). 1 Thessalonians 1:10 (NLT) 

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (ESV)

Nevertheless, God graciously sends forms of redemptive judgment (otherwise called discipline) to turn us away from our sin and back to him, so that we can avoid one day encountering his wrath.

This is what is promised in our first passage above from 2 Chronicles. This is a major way that God blesses his people and the lands in which they live.

Point # 3: Be Prepared to Shine in the Midst of Judgment

The Bible makes it clear that God judges wickedness. Here are two passages that come to mind.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Romans 1:18 (ESV) 

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3  among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV)

Notice that both of these passages refer to God’s wrath.

As God pours out wrath on the earth, God’s people may have to endure aspects of it, without being the objects of it.

Those who belong to Christ are no longer “children of wrath,” but those without Christ still are, and we all live together.

It is clear that our nation and the entire world deserves God’s judgment. We continue to flagrantly and arrogantly flaunt God and his words. Our Lord has been extremely patient with mankind, but even his patience will eventually reach an end.

Jesus warned us that in the Last Days, as his Second Coming draws closer, there will be what the Bible calls “birth pangs.” When a woman goes into labor, her contractions begin mildly and are spaced far apart, but as the birth grows closer, the “pangs” become stronger with greater frequency.

The earth will experience stronger and more frequent “pangs” of judgments and outpourings of wrath as the Second Coming approaches.

Jesus said:

There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. Luke 21:11 (ESV)

I believe the coronavirus qualifies as such a “pestilence.” Many, including myself, believe it is a “birth pang.” The earth is experiencing an uptick in earthquakes. Locusts are devouring crops, increasing hunger and famine. Nations continue to rise up against nations.

The suppression of truth is a major problem in the last days. Even the church is affected. One example of disinformation that has plagued the church of late is the notion that God’s people will no longer be here during these birth pangs. Some assure God’s people that they will be “raptured” or snatched up from the earth before tribulation arrives.

No one knows for sure how the Last Days and Second Coming will play out, but the Bible clearly teaches that God’s people must be prepared to endure tribulation and suffering.

To think otherwise is deception and runs counter to God’s purposes who said in his Word that we are “appointed to tribulation.” (1 Thessalonians 3:3-4) Suffering is part of God’s plan to develop and mature us. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

As God pours out his judgments on the world, who will be able to offer hope to hopeless, if not the church? Peter wrote:

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

Peter wrote this during a time of cruel persecution of the church by Jews and Romans. God allowed the church to suffer then. Why should we expect to escape suffering today?

God wants his church to be prepared to shine as lights in a very dark world.

Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15  so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16  Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return… Philippians 2:14-16 (NLT)

Praying according to God’s Purposes

Since we are God’s ambassadors of reconciliation in the world, it is vital that we act and pray accordingly. Here are some suggested prayer points.

  1. Pray for God’s kingdom to come and his will to be done. This may seem too obvious to put in the list, but Jesus put it in the prayer named after him. If he thinks it is important, so do I. We will always be in agreement with God when we pray this way. Over the years, I have often felt a strong sense of God’s presence when I prayed for his kingdom to come and will to be done. Perhaps as we deliberately align ourselves with God’s purpose in this way, he will give us greater clarity on the details. When we pray in agreement with his will, we can be sure he will hear us and do what we ask. (1 John 5:14-15)
  2. Ask God to grant repentance to the church and the nation. Repentance means chiefly to “change the mind.” It will result in a change of action, but it starts in the heart. The Holy Spirit is the only one who can change us at the heart level. We do not need to pray for people to reap what they sow. God will see to that. Our commission is to intercede with God on behalf of those who are in the midst of judgment, asking him to mercifully grant repentance to a hard-hearted world before it is too late.
  3. Pray for a great “awakening” and ingathering in our land. The ultimate purpose for repentance is for people to put their faith and allegiance in Christ and come under his benevolent rule. This  means the church needs to rise up and become bold and compassionate gospel communicators. People are afraid. The church is able to present Christ as the only One who is able to satisfy their deepest longings and needs. He is the Good Shepherd, Prince of Peace, Healer, and Lord. There is no other name under heaven that can save.
  4. Pray for government leaders. Our leaders need God’s wisdom and the fear of the Lord.
  5. Pray for medical personnel. They are on the front line and at great risk. Pray for God’s blessing and protection.
  6. Pray for unity. Satan always tries to divide. There has been deep division in our nation. Pray that God will unify us as the church, as families, and as a nation.
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Gospel vs. Culture: How the Gospel Confronts the Culture’s Idols and Lies

 

 

 

 

The Gospel

The gospel is a proclamation of truth about God, mankind, Jesus the Messiah and Lord, and the coming judgment. It offers a way of escape from the judgment that has been pronounced upon the world through the cross. It offers an opportunity to join God in ruling over a new creation at the end of time.

By nature, the gospel confronts the sinful status quo – the embedded lies and rebellion against God found in the human soul and the prevailing culture.

The gospel is powerful and is God’s designated means to overthrow Satan’s rule in individual lives and ultimately in nations and cultures.

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. Romans 1:16 (NLT)

 

Culture, Idolatry, and Lies

One definition of culture is that it is…

…a shared vision of the nature of reality. This vision must include some understanding of both the immanent and the transcendent orders. It will incorporate unseen actualities and accepted moral verities that are believed to affect the arrangement of both the natural and social world. In short, a culture incarnates and expresses a religion. (From Sharper Iron Blog)

From the gospel’s perspective, cultures and the people who live in them thrive to the degree they embrace the truth about God and put into practice the values that define godly living. We see this historically. Those cultures that have embraced Christianity have thrived; whereas, those who reject the Bible’s testimony about God languish. Those cultures which attack the Jews and Christians descend into darkness, inhumane practices, and depravity.

Cultures degrade in proportion to how much they suppress truth and reject biblical norms. (Romans 1)

Human beings are idolators by default as a result of the Fall. We were designed by God to be dependent creatures, who are programmed to worship and serve him. When we turn away from God, the drive to worship and serve will be transferred to an inferior replacement for him, what the Bible calls an “idol.” Idols are products of the sinful human desire to have a “god” who protects and serves us, while condoning our sinful and rebellious behavior toward the true God.

In other words, idols are gods created in our own image which never confront our sin.

The Bible teaches us that we become like whatever we worship. (2 Corinthians 3:18) If we worship God, we become like him. If we worship something inferior, we degrade from God’s created purpose for us. This is by God’s design. God’s purpose is for humanity to reflect God’s glory as we worship him, but when we bow down to and serve an idol, we are transformed into that corrupt image. Idols are not always images made of metal, wood, or stone. Idols can be as subtle as devotion to the pursuit of wealth, if that pursuit displaces our worship of and reliance upon God who is our Provider. Jesus called this serving “Mammon.” In America, the pursuit and deification of “liberty” has led us to believe that freedom in and of itself is worth putting on a pedestal. Freedom apart from God, however, inevitably leads to slavery to our own sinful desires. True freedom is found in obeying God and always results in worshiping and serving him.

Our modern secular culture has major embedded idols and lies. Here are a few that I will cover in this article.

  • There is no God, and we got here by ourselves. The denial of God’s existence is the chief lie. It is intended to eliminate our accountability to our Creator and elevate us to godhood status, the pursuit of which was the original sin. We want to run our own lives without reference to God. A necessary corollary to atheism is self-creation or spontaneous evolution. This bold lie elevates man to the highest rung on the developmental ladder in a godless and amoral universe, giving him a virtual godlike status. Self-worship is the ugliest form of idolatry. Because of the deification of self, Satan receives our worship, too. Our culture has become grossly narcissistic.
  • Truth, sin, and morality are fluid human constructs. Having thrown out God and elevated man to be the measure of all things, our culture maintains that truth, morals, and laws are human constructs which can be changed or discarded at will. The first domino to fall was the belief that truth is absolute. If there is no God, then truth does not come from him. Once truth falls, everything else is up for grabs. Our concept of sin can no longer derive from what God says it is. Instead, sin is viewed as a violation of a societal norm, something changeable. Morality is the next domino to fall, as man attempts to redefine what it means to be good or right. Once again, self-worship is behind it all, propelling the culture to slide into behaviors and beliefs that ultimately destroy it from within.
  • We are accountable only to ourselves. If there is no God, we not only get to make our own rules, but we are accountable to no one but ourselves. The idol that this lie engenders is pure power. Cultures that reject accountability to God slide into totalitarianism.

How the Gospel Confronts the Culture

The gospel directly confronts each of these lies. The proper delivery of the gospel should challenge and refute whatever idol is being worshiped by the hearers. Remember, the gospel presents Jesus as the Lord of Lords, not simply as Savior.

The devil and the anti-god world system seek to encapsulate the gospel and render it impotent in a way that is similar to how a human body walls itself off from infection. The powers that be tell us that all religions are created equal, and therefore, none can issue a moral imperative. None have the “right” to tell people what to do or believe, since no religion is “right.” We are told that what we believe is a private matter and has no inherent authority in the secular public square.

The culture and ruling powers are not usually too upset with the gospel’s claim that Jesus forgives sins. What it hates and fights against is Jesus’ claim to be God, the sole arbiter of truth, the judge of all mankind, and the ruling eternal king.

There Is a God

The Bible declares up front that there is a God who is the Creator. Paul wrote that the entire creation unequivocally declares the existence and power of God for all to see. The only way people can arrive at the position that denies God’s existence is by deliberately suppressing the truth. (Romans 1:18-20) Deep down everyone knows there is a God. The gospel calls its listeners to acknowledge that he exists but that it is to him we owe our existence.

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  He existed in the beginning with God. 3  God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. John 1:1-3 (NLT)

Unless we come to grips with God’s existence and preeminence, we can go no further. The gospel confronts the lie of atheism first of all and calls people back to our obligation to worship, serve, and glorify God the Creator. Our greatest joy in life is experienced in returning love to the God who loves us past comprehension.

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:19 (NLT)
We Are Dependent on our Creator

Not only is there a God, but everything we see and experience came from him and is sustained by him.

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16  for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17  He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Colossians 1:15-17 (NLT)

This gospel truth strikes a fatal blow at man’s desire to be his own god. As dependent creatures, we are humbled to admit that we need God every moment. Coming back into alignment with the truth about our relationship with God allows us to once again draw life, direction, and wisdom from our Creator – Sustainer – Redeemer. This gives us the greatest joy, freedom, and fulfillment.

Truth Originates in God and Is Absolute

Jesus the Messiah called himself “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6) Truth exists because God is truth. Truth is defined by and comes from God. God is unalterably true in his words and deeds. He means what he says and says what he means. He never lies. The gospel confronts us with the truth about God, ourselves, our sin, judgment, life, and the our eternal destiny. Unless we repent of our lying ways and accept God’s truth, we cannot be saved. This includes accepting the gospel as God’s true testimony about himself, his Son, and his offer of salvation.

He [the devil] will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 11  So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. 12  Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 (NLT)
Sin Is Real and Produces Death

The Bible clearly teaches that every person born from Adam is a sinner. (Romans 3:23) All sin derives from our inborn rebellion against God, which is demonstrated by our choice to live on our own terms instead of in humble cooperation with and dependence upon God. Separation from God results from sin and always produces death. (Romans 6:23)

When we knowingly align ourselves with that which brings death, it produces a terrible tension and guilt within us. God gave us consciences to help us be aware of our terrible situation. When confronted with the truth, if we refuse to repent, our consciences can become unfeeling and useless. People become hardened in their rebellion against God, which darkens their ability to think clearly and correctly. (Romans 1:21) Many such people develop philosophies and theologies that agree with their sinful position in an attempt to soothe their guilty consciences. None of this works because we do not get to define sin for ourselves. All it does is keep people alienated from God and reserved for the coming judgment. (Acts 13:46)

The gospel identifies and confronts our sin. It calls us to turn away from our sins and reach out to God in faith to receive the complete forgiveness that Jesus died to give us.

Morality Is Part of God’s Order

Morality, the culture’s accepted standards of good conduct and justice, is woven into God’s creation order. We do not get to determine our own versions of what is good and virtuous. One reason God gave Moses the Law was so that we would have a written standard that reflects God’s righteousness. Society and individuals generally adopt a morality that agrees with their sinfulness. The further from God a culture drifts, the more its morals become skewed. The gospel calls the culture back to God’s moral order and gives people the transformative grace to live according to God’s ways.

We Are Accountable to God Who Will Judge All People

The last major lie confronted by the gospel that I will cover in this article is that people have no ultimate accountability to anyone but themselves. This untruth is a logical derivation from the lie that there is no God. Even people who acknowledge God’s existence often live as functional atheists, which means that by looking at how they live you would never know they believe in God.

The gospel directly confronts this lie by announcing that Jesus is coming back to judge the living and the dead.

“God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31  For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31 (NLT)

The gospel calls all people to repent and receive forgiveness and then live in a way that brings honor and glory to God.

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to show that you have received forgiveness for your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39  This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40  Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” Acts 2:38-40 (NLT)

The Second Coming of Christ

The Second Coming of Christ is an integral part of the gospel. When we proclaim that Jesus is coming back again, it enables us to establish several important truths.

  • Jesus, eternal Word of God who created all things, became a man who died for our sins as God’s Lamb and rose again as Lord of Lords.
  • His Second Coming will finally and completely establish is God’s rule over the earth.
  • He is the glorious Son of Man prophesied by Daniel who will judge the living and the dead.

Once he appears in the sky, every aspect of the gospel will be proved true. Then it will be too late to get right with him. Today is the day of salvation. Now is the time to repent and believe the good news that in Christ God is offering to reconcile us to himself!

The gospel is not merely a presentation of what Jesus did on our behalf to save us from our sins. The gospel reestablishes who God is so that we can come into proper alignment with him through repentance and faith. The gospel affirms the honor and glory of the risen Lord. The gospel is a declaration of war upon the lies and idolatry of mankind. The gospel is a clarion call to become part of God’s eternal kingdom, which will eventually destroy all opposing kingdoms.

As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14  He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14 (NLT)
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Beware of Mass Deception in the Last Days

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We live in a time when lying has become an art form practiced by the mainstream media and politicians. Joseph Goebbels, the infamous Nazi propagandist, said these words in Nuremberg in 1934 as he was helping the Nazis gain and maintain power.

The people should share the concerns and successes of its government. Its concerns and successes must therefore be constantly presented and hammered into the people so that it will consider the concerns and successes of its government to be its concerns and successes. Only an authoritarian government, firmly tied to the people, can do this over the long term. Political propaganda, the art of anchoring the things of the state in the broad masses so that the whole nation will feel a part of them, cannot therefore remain merely a means to the goal of winning power. It must become a means of building and keeping power. (http://research.calvin.edu/german-propaganda-archive/goeb59.htm)

Propaganda is the art and science of manipulating information to cause the masses to think and act in a desired way.

What would have been unthinkable fifty years ago is happening in the United States right now. We are being subjected to a Nazi or Soviet-like blitz of propaganda by a mainstream media that is complicit with the Democratic Party’s efforts to overthrow our constitutional republic. Whether or not they succeed will determine to large degree what our nation becomes. If they succeed, we will descend into dark totalitarianism, which will undoubtedly lead to persecution of truth speakers, especially Christians. How did we get here?

The Origins of Deception

Since the beginning of humanity, according to the Bible, people have displayed an inherent tendency to believe lies more than truth.

Adam and Eve fell for the serpent’s mis-characterization of God, even though the Creator had been only wonderfully kind to them. We learn from the Genesis account that, even in their most pristine state, Adam and Eve were easily deceived. At that moment of disobedience, Satan gained a foothold in the human race.

Sin entered our hearts, deforming our ability to reason properly.We have become even more susceptible to deception than our first parents were because now we are born with a default propensity to deceive and be deceived.

Some people call this the sin nature. No one needs to teach a baby how to sin. It comes naturally.

Jesus identified Satan is the “father of lies.” (John 8:44) Satan is an evil mastermind and the arch-propagandist. He is able to manipulate entire nations, as was the case with Nazi Germany and is becoming increasingly the case with the United States.

When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. 8  He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. Revelation 20:7-8 (NLT)

There are various ways to interpret this passage, but, as I see it, we are seeing this happening right before our eyes. Mass deception is taking place on a global scale as the nations seem to be aligning themselves against God’s people in preparation for an apocalyptic battle. Whether or not you agree with my interpretation, I hope you can agree that Satan has the ability to deceive on a grand scale. How does he do this?

As I already mentioned, every person comes into the world with a built-in sin nature that defaults toward doubting God and embracing lies. If we refuse to acknowledge and glorify God as our Creator, it is a form of idolatry. We are going to believe in something. If we do not accept the truth about God, then we will fall for something else.

Satan gains a foothold into people’s minds when they embrace some form of idolatry.

Any time a person or a society rejects the truth about God and chooses to believe something else, they are given over to what the Bible calls an “unfit mind.” People like this lose their ability to think critically and easily fall victim to propaganda.

I will add my own notes, which are in blue italics, to the following Bible passage that clearly addresses this subject.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. [Truth must be suppressed for lies to flourish. Our government has systematically repressed the truth about creation for decades through propaganda about "evolution," producing generations of students who reject God and easily believe lies.] 19  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. [Little children know intuitively that there is a God. If our minds were not darkened by sin, we would see God's hand all around us in the world he has made. We have to be conditioned not to see this.]  21  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. [What else can account for our government’s routine denial of the severity of the external threats against our nation? We have lost our ability to think and are deluded that our enemies are of no real consequence.] 22  Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23  and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24  Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25  because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. [Our nation has been given over to sensuality and immorality. That which for centuries has been called sin is now being embraced as good and normal.] 26  For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27  and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28  And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased [Greek: adikomos – failing to be approved, unfit] mind to do what ought not to be done. Romans 1:18-28 (ESV)

The principle here is simple: if people embrace the truth about God, they will more likely be able to think correctly, but if we reject the truth about God, we lose our ability to properly reason.

As a nation, the United States has progressively rejected God and his truth. We eliminated prayer and Bible reading from the classroom, and outlawed the teaching of creationism. As with other examples of classic propaganda, those is power have gained ownership of the language and use terms that frame their goals in the most favorable light. For example, abortion, the termination of a living baby in the womb, has been reframed as a woman’s “right” and a non-negotiable part of “reproductive freedom.”

What is called “progressivism” is actually a calculated push toward totalitarianism and requires a wholesale abdication of Bible truth and a manipulation of the populace toward the desired end of globalist control.

Last Days Deception

Those of us who fear God can see what is happening, and it does not surprise us at all. Those who do not know Christ do not have the Holy Spirit, who is also called the Spirit of truth (John 14:17), residing in them.

The Holy Spirit gives believers a love for the truth. This truth is found in Christ, who is called the Truth (John 14:6) and in the Bible. (John 17:17). Those without the Spirit love lies. This is one way we can distinguish between those who truly know God and those who do not. Those who do not know him easily all for mass deception.

Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43  Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! 44  For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45  So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! John 8:42-45 (NLT)

The Bible predicts this kind of mass deception in the last days. Jesus warned us:

Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24  For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Matthew 24:23-24 (ESV)

In his seminal book, The Islamic Antichrist, Joel Richardson points out that Muslims have their own doctrines of the end times. They state that Jesus was not resurrected because he never really died. Instead, God took him to heaven, where he remains until he will return to earth as second in command to the Mahdi, commanding the nations to convert to Islam and worship Allah. What deception could be greater? The Bible warns us that an Antichrist is coming (the Mahdi?) who will be served and accompanied by a false prophet, who will do signs and wonders to convince people to follow the Antichrist. This sounds very much in line with the Islamic version of Christ. If this happens, those who are nominal Christians will probably be completely deceived, along the rest of the world. Those of us who know the truth will not fall for this, however.

Paul wrote:

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it [the Second Coming] will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4  who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 5  Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6  And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 7  For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 8  Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9  that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10  and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11  For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12  in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 (NASB)

 

What must we do?

Here are some recommendations for those of us who understand the signs of the times.

  • Pray for God to open the eyes of the blind. Ask the Holy Spirit to remove the blinders from the eyes and unstop the ears of those who do not yet know Christ. Faith in Christ and surrender to his Lordship is the only means of escape from the mass deception that is descending upon the world.
  • Pray for our leaders. Ask the Lord to give our leaders insight and courage to do the right thing, despite the incessant onslaught of the “false prophets” in the mainstream media and educational establishment.
  • Pray for God to uncover hidden wickedness in high places. The “lie” prospers under the cover of darkness. Ask the the Lord to expose evil, wherever it may be, especially in places of power and influence.
  • Repent of any wickedness in our own lives. We must embrace truth personally, if we want this to happen on a national level.
  • Speak the truth courageously and with love. Evil people prosper when good people do nothing.
  • Share the Gospel. The Gospel is the only means for liberating deceived people. We can pray until we drop, but if we do not share the Good News and give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to convert people, nothing much will change. When a large number of people in a nation surrender their lives to Jesus’ lordship, things will improve.
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The Shape of Modern Idolatry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you been wondering, “What is wrong with people these days?” If so, you’re not alone. The world has gone crazy, literally. An old Greek saying says: “Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.” There is a lot of truth to this. Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Rome that God gives idolatrous people over to a “reprobate” mind to fully embrace and applaud evil. Sin creates a temporary insanity. Giving oneself over to sin makes the condition potentially permanent. Many in this nation have become so warped and confused that they applaud and embrace the culture of death (abortion) and defend those who wish to put them to death (radical Islamists). When people go “mad,” they basically kill themselves because they have no discernment or proper judgment. This is what destroyed Hitler. His blind ambition to defeat Russia prompted him to make horrific military blunders. Evil people may be cunning, but they have no wisdom. God cannot be mocked. We do indeed reap what we sow, and the wages of sin is death.

Judging God, Rejecting Truth

Paul warned his protege, Timothy:

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. 4  They will reject the truth and chase after myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)

The myth and lie chasing (fake news, false religions, and much of modern education) we see in these last days is nothing new. It began a long time ago in the garden of Eden, where Satan, in the form of a crafty serpent, introduced something brand new into Adam’s and Eve’s previously protected environment – a doubt of God’s integrity and character and a denial of the truth of his spoken words. When Adam and Eve took the bait, hook line and sinker, they took their seat as God’s judge and imagined that they were the arbiters of truth, thus bringing upon themselves a just condemnation. Satan enticed them into the same sin of which he was guilty – gross insubordination birthed in pride. Their sinful desire to be equal with God opened the floodgates of sin, death, and confusion on the world. Evil has escalated since then as each succeeding generation has participated in rebellion and sin against God and other people.

Today some who call themselves Christians are taking it upon themselves to make judgments about who God is or is not and whether God really means what he says. They reject the authority of the Bible and repulse attempts by others to correct them.

This is the shape of modern idolatry. People are attempting to make God conform to their own image and preferences, instead of worshiping the one true God, as revealed in the Bible.

Trading the Great I AM for a Lesser god

When God appeared to Moses at the burning bush, he revealed himself as the “I AM.” He is the “I am who I am,” not the “I am who you want me to be.”

Our big issue with God is usually that he is not who we want him to be.

The “I AM” who met Moses in the wilderness called Israel out of bondage into a land of promise, but the people rebelled because God did not do things the way they wanted or expected. God required his people to maintain an attitude of faith and obedience while suffering hardship. He wanted them to trust him, despite how things looked on the surface. God called Moses to the top of Mt. Sinai and kept him there 40 days. This did not suit the people, who demanded that Aaron make them another god who would take them back to Egypt and bondage.

The gods we make for ourselves are designed to grant us comfort and security at the expense of our faithful obedience to God and ultimate reward.

After Aaron fashioned the idol, the people immediately fell into drunken revelry and immorality.

When we make gods in our own image, they always allow us to do very ungodly things. Every determination we make to live against God’s revealed will demands that we make ourselves an idol which will say it is okay to disobey. We adopt a theology to match our morality. We fashion idols who wink at our sin.

Jesus was rejected as Israel’s Messiah King because he was not who the people wanted him to be – a military and political savior.

People still reject Jesus because he does not conform to the image they want in a Lord and Savior.

To the contrary, Jesus came to deliver people from their sinful idolatry of self and worship of false gods. The Gospel demands that we surrender utterly to Jesus, the absolute Lord, and receive his free gift of life, which became available in a most unlikely and, to many, a most offensive way. He died on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins, to satisfy God the Father’s just wrath against sin and sinners.

The very idea of a blood sacrifice to appease a wrathful God offends the sensibilities of those who want to tell God how it should have been done.

Haven’t we become more enlightened than those ancient people? Aren’t we more sophisticated now? Don’t we realize that blood was not really needed? If that is what you think, you are serving a false god. The true God says that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:22)

Afterward Jesus rose again from the dead, which offends the logical minds of those who elevate reason above revelation.

Jesus, the I AM who became a human, requires us to lay down the lesser gods of rationalism, materialism, intellectualism, and sometimes what many call “common sense,” in order to fully follow him.

He did not come to make us comfortable or to satisfy our itching ears and intellects. He came to transform us completely, which requires us to make a radical break with everything that stands in the way of a full surrender to him. This is called repentance.

When we lay down every objection and embrace the God revealed in the Bible and his Son, Jesus the Messiah, we are ready to begin the discipleship journey in earnest.

Examples of Modern Idolatry

When we cast away the true God and make new gods for ourselves, we begin a downward slide that ends up where the United States is right now.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Romans 1:21 (NLT)

Usually in the past when I have thought of what kind of people would act this way, I would think of pagans, like the ancient Romans, but today many who call themselves Christians have fallen into idolatrous deception, too. Today’s idolatry is often very subtle, which makes it even more deadly. Let’s look at some examples.

Probably one of the more popular falsehoods about God is that he never judges people.

This false god is the divine smiley face who wants everyone to have a good day. Where did this kind of thinking come from? Certainly not from the Bible and not from Jesus’ teachings. Jesus warned us:

“Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5  But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear. Luke 12:4-5 (NLT)

Does God kill people? Yes. Does God cast people into hell? Yes. Does he judge righteously and without showing favoritism? Yes. The God of Bible does all these things, as well as love people beyond their comprehension. This is the God who is, not who some people want him to be.

We don’t want God to judge anyone because we don’t want to be judged. We want God to accept everyone, because we want him to accept us. If we think this way it proves two things: we do not know our own sinfulness and we do not understand why Jesus had to die.

God has to judge sinful people because he hates sin. Jesus chose to die in order to endure God’s just punishment for our sin, making it possible for us to be reconciled to God and experience his mercy. If God does not care about sin and judgment, then Jesus died for nothing and the Gospel is meaningless.

Another false god we sometimes create is the one who not only winks at our immorality, but actually approves, and maybe even applauds, it.

Paul wrote:

Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 29  Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30  They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31  They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32  They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. Romans 1:28-32 (NLT)

Those who engage in sex outside of marriage often adopt a theology that says that God is fine with what they are doing. They may say that they still feel the presence of God’s Spirit and still know they are loved by him. Therefore, their behavior must be okay with God. Such logic denies God’s character and his words.

This idolatrous thinking reveals that we do not understand the difference between God’s love for us and his approval of our actions. It shows that we do not grasp the difference between God’s patience and his discipline.

After King David sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband, God affirmed his ongoing love for David while at the same time he pronounced a terrible sentence upon him and his family, which ended in the death of family members and thousands of others. David suffered immensely for his sin, despite the fact that God forgave him and had mercy on him. God’s people always will reap the ugly consequences of sin, despite and because of how much God loves us. The author of Hebrews states that God disciplines those he loves. (Hebrews 12:6) One of God’s chief aims in this life is conform us to Christ’s image in order to bring glory to himself. God does not wink at our sin. He is committed to set us free from its grasp.

A third form of idolatry believes that God makes mistakes in how he created us, which we can “fix” by rejecting his created order.

Many people reject some aspect of themselves. We might not like our looks, our hair, our intelligence level, our personality, etc. Some reject their gender, thinking that they are a colossal mistake, and opt for an operation to rectify things. No operation can change us at the cellular level, where our DNA has permanently stamped us as either male or female.

Rejection of our sexual identity and function is rebellion against the Creator.

It is just one more idol we raise against the true knowledge of God. Sin has indeed brought confusion and chaos into the world, even at the sexual identity level, but true freedom will never come at the expense of God’s truth. His truth sets us free. (John 8:31-32) Only by embracing God and surrendering our confused selves to him can we experience genuine freedom. Only God has the power to restore what sin has broken.

The Way Back to the One True God

  • Repent. Repentance means we change how we think. Instead of idolizing our opinions and preferences, we choose to agree with what God says. We call out sin for what it is. We stop making excuses and idols. We accept God’s judgment of sin. We accept that we are sinners in desperate need of a Savior. (Revelation 3:3)
  • Believe. Faith is based on our conviction that God has integrity and love for us and that his words are true and trustworthy. The Gospel is the greatest good news ever! It states that we can indeed escape God’s judgment by placing our trust in the One who already bore it – Jesus, the Lamb of God. Faith always results in action. Those who believe in Jesus will surrender their lives to him and begin the discipleship journey, devoting the remainder of their lives to his service. (Hebrews 11:6)
  • Follow Christ. The choice to make the Bible our supreme authority in life (under the direction of the Holy Spirit) is one of the most important and profound steps any follower of Christ will make. Until you start down this road, you will always be susceptible to elevating your own opinions, desires, and preferences above God’s revealed truth and his will. (John 17:17)
  • Rely on the Holy Spirit. He will lead us into all truth (John 16:13) and give us the ability to live the Christ life. Greater is he who is within us than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) The secret of Christianity is that God lives his life through us.
  • Join a local church. A church is a group of people who are taking the same faith journey. We need each other’s encouragement, correction, and assistance. No person can successfully go it alone. Find a church that preaches the gospel, loves people, and encourages you to be a disciple. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
  • Stand strong against temptations. Life is full of opportunities for us to abandon truth and obedience to God in the pursuit of what seems to be in my best self-interest. Jesus told his disciples that they must die to any and everything that might get between them and utter devotion to Christ. This is where the rubber meets the road. This where many of us falter. This is where we must pick ourselves back up and press forward. (James 4:7)
  • Make disciples. Once we become a follower of Christ, God wants us to become part of his mighty army of disciple makers. This means we teach others to follow Christ as we do.

Prayer

Lord, I realize now that in some areas I have made and served a false image of you. Please forgive me. I want to know who you really are. Holy Spirit, teach me and lead me into all truth, that I might know God and obey him more fully. I commit myself to serve you alone, O Lord. Amen.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21 (ESV)

 

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