“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 NKJV
The greatest spiritual gift needed in our generation is discernment.
The greatest spiritual gift needed in our generation is discernment. There is no more important gift during the time in which we live. Deception is at an all time high and discernment is at an all time low. No one seems to desire to know Truth. Rather, they desire to pervert truth and conform it to fit their needs, wants, desires, and agenda.
Many are not so much concerned with knowing what God says. Rather, they desire to hear what man says.
Many are not so much concerned with knowing what God says. Rather, they desire to hear what man says. They desire to be lulled into a spiritual sleep by a smooth Gospel that fills individuals with passion, but not with the Holy Spirit. This is the mark of preaching another "Jesus".
It is quite frightening the amount of people who will lend their soul to man and not fully devote it to God. For many believe in their pastor more than they believe in God’s Word.
Everyone seems to want their desires and passions to be put in front of Truth. Whatever man-made doctrine, man-made gospel, or man-made "Jesus" conforms to their sinful, earthly, carnal ways, they accept willingly. It is quite frightening the amount of people who will lend their soul to man and not fully devote it to God. For many believe in their pastor more than they believe in God’s Word.
Many enjoy the joyful, happy aspects of Christianity, but want to hear nothing about crosses or losses. They want absolutely nothing to do with a message on internal wickedness, man’s need to be saved, and a call to change.
Many enjoy the joyful, happy aspects of Christianity, but want to hear nothing about crosses or losses. They want absolutely nothing to do with a message on internal wickedness, man’s need to be saved, and a call to change. Rather, they desire to remain as they are, do as they please, and accept the rewards and blessings of God. This is a perverted view of Christianity and is one that is not Biblically based.
The Devil's devouring comes in many manifestations; one of these being deception wrapped up in kindness and a carnal love.
We must tread carefully. For “the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV). The danger, however, is that his devouring comes in many manifestations; one of these being deception wrapped up in kindness and a carnal love. There are many who speak from the pulpits and tell us to promote certain agendas. They tell us to be kind to all people, to not judge, and to love. Though these are true, they are partial truths. For being kind is sometimes being distant from someone who does not desire to seek God and change.
We are not to judge from a pedestal of looking down on others (James 4:11), but we are to judge those who proclaim Christ but live a life contrary to Him (1 Corinthians 5:12).
We are not to judge from a pedestal of looking down on others (James 4:11), but we are to judge those who proclaim Christ but live a life contrary to Him (1 Corinthians 5:12). Biblical love is not merely patient and kind, it also rejoices in the Truth (1 Corinthians 13:4-6). True love of God desires to obey His Word and Commandments (John 14:15). Yet, from pulpits today, partial truths are presented. The Word of God is diluted to fit the needs and wants of man. This other "Jesus" is one that appeals to man, but is not the True and Holy One sent by God Almighty.
Satan is most certainly at work and very few recognize it. People would rather live in deception than heed correction. They would rather believe lies than be convicted by the Truth. Satan is sending hordes to Hell through appearing as something good. If he was able to deceive 1/3 of the angels in Heaven (beings who were already in a perfect state in the presence of God), what makes us think that he can’t do the same to us? Many don’t consider this reality and instead buy into whatever sounds good, initially. Those who are truly born again and seekers of Truth, however, know that Truth is painful. The Truth is convicting, but also liberating. Truth demands us to change, not for it to change to meet our perceptions and opinions. Yet, many in the pulpits and in the pews are following another "Jesus".
If we are never convicted by truth, then we are not following the entirety of Truth.
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NKJV). If we are never convicted by truth, then we are not following the entirety of Truth. For Satan knows God’s Word better than any of us. He knows what God has declared. Since he is the Father of Lies (John 8:44), he knows how to make a lie appear just and upright. He knows how to pervert the truth so subtly as to deceive even if it were possible the elect of God. “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 24:24 ESV).
Satan is the commander of a deceptive army. He has entered many of the pulpits and pews without others knowing. Many don't care to know. Why? Because men love darkness rather than light (John 3:19). They would rather be duped into a deceived lifestyle than to be chastised and changed by the Truth.
““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:27-28 ESV). Just as Christ called out the Pharisees as being whitewashed tombs, so Lucifer and those who preach another "Jesus" follow in the same footsteps.
False prophets are just as the Pharisees. They appear as righteous and knowledgeable and loving in their external appearance, but inwardly they are as corrupt, evil, and un-repentant as the Pharisees. They are wolves in sheep's clothing. They appear as angels of light. To the un-discerning mind, they appear as just, noble, and someone to believe and follow. Congregation's attention drift from the Word of God and towards those who are secretly Satan’s puppets.
There is no such thing as a rich gospel. There is no such thing as a poor gospel. There is no such thing as a social justice gospel. There is only Thee Gospel: The Lord Jesus Christ died on a Cross for man’s sins and rose again on the Third Day. He provided a means of salvation that is freely offered. All that is needed is belief that Jesus is Lord and Savior and for one to repent of their sins.
This other "Jesus" is one who promotes false gospels. Those who truly want to know Truth and take time in God’s Word will know that there is no such thing as a rich gospel. There is no such thing as a poor gospel. There is no such thing as a social justice gospel. There is only Thee Gospel: The Lord Jesus Christ died on a Cross for man’s sins and rose again on the Third Day. He provided a means of salvation that is freely offered. All that is needed is belief that Jesus is Lord and Savior and for one to repent of their sins. In doing so, a person receives newness of life.
Any message that drifts from the simplicity of the True Gospel is a perversion and distortion. It is a watered down gospel and believed by the deceived and lovers of deception.
Those who preach another "Jesus" preach another gospel. This gospel is agenda-driven, exemplifies and highlights partial truths, and drifts from the meaning and purpose behind the One, True Gospel. Any message that drifts from the simplicity of the True Gospel is a perversion and distortion. It is a watered down gospel and believed by the deceived and lovers of deception. For those who desire Truth will believe Him Who is Truth and be transformed by Him. They will place the Holy Scriptures as the Inerrant, Infallible Word of God. They will cease from placing their pastors opinions and sermons ahead of God’s Word.
May the Holy Spirit give us discernment to steer away from and expose those who preach a defective, lukewarm gospel. For those who do so will be spewed out of God’s mouth. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth”” (Revelation 3:15-16 ESV). “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, Who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5 ESV).
We must believe in the One True Christ of the One, True, Triune God Who has given us His One True Word: The Holy Bible.
May we not be led astray or deceived by our carnality or man’s fallibility. May we believe in the one true Christ and receive new life. May we repent of our sins in order that we may have a new beginning. God desires to fill us, sanctify us, and change us. We, however, must believe in the One True Christ of the One, True, Triune God Who has given us His One True Word: The Holy Bible.
We must not conform Christ to what we want Him to look like. Rather, we must pray that God would give us eyes to see Him for Who He is.
Let us all choose to follow Truth, no matter how convicting, painful, or discomforting it is. For Him Who is Truth will love us through our imperfections, weaknesses, and sins. We simply must deny ourselves, believe in Him, and turn from our sins. God is patient and longsuffering. He will give us the power to distance ourselves from sin and to change. We must not conform Christ to what we want Him to look like. Rather, we must pray that God would give us eyes to see Him for Who He is.
May God bless us with discernment in the days ahead, in order that we might not only flee from deception, but heed to correction. For it is better to be entirely sold out for the one true God, than to play the game of religion and worship a false Christ. The former brings everlasting life. The latter leads to eternal damnation. May we not allow our desires, passions, affections, or agendas to blind us from the true God. For if we do, we ourselves will be the ones to blame on that Final Day.
PRAYER
God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth, You are True and Good. You are Just and Merciful. You are the Limitless One Who can do all things. O God, give us a heart of wisdom to number our days. Give us a mind of discernment to know who speaks for you and who does not. God, forgive us of placing our desires, carnality, and fleshly motives above You and Your Word. Forgive us of the times we have duped You down to our level. God, convict us where we need conviction. Correct us where we need correction. No matter how painful, may the Truth chastise, discipline, and change us. Save us by the Blood of Christ and sanctify us by the Holy Spirit, O Heavenly Father. We walk by faith in You and Your Word. Bring down false prophets and expose Satan’s deception. God, give all of us an innate desire to know Truth, follow You, and know You more each day. Thank You for loving us through our sins. We repent of them, Lord, and continue to trust and depend on You for our strength. Conquer death within, that we may live again. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lance VanTine
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