Beware deception

l Beware of Deception Discerning spiritual blindness i Omega Ministries

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Rev 12:7-9). atan deceived the once faithful angels to worship him and pledge their allegiance to him ‘loving’ him and ‘trusting’ him more than the Father who made them, they fell from grace preferring Satan’s way (false religion). The moment they did this, God’s loyal army of angels, led by Michael, responded and attacked them! Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.

Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Satan drew his sword the moment Michael challenged his motives.

God the Father knew that Satan was trying to hide in the darkness. “If I say,“Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become

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night around me” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” (Psa 139:12).

The universe was thrown into chaos, but even with this apparent tragedy God the Father planned to judge and turn to good one day, such is the loving nature of the Father, so far are his thoughts above our thoughts.

No place was found for them in heaven, because heaven is only light and they wanted darkness (Satanism). So from freely moving in the eternal realms of heaven and the universe, Satan and his angels found themselves cast down far from God’s presence (later some even bound in chains in Hades itself, 2 Pet 2:4).

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep.

This truly was a place of darkness a place for Satan. But God had plans to lower him further and turn evil to good, God wanted Satan and sin destroyed and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. His

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plan would enable him to justly defeat Satan and his angels and for them to be destroyed once for all to do away with sin and in the process create new sons for himself - with free will like himself.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God put mankind in a land and a garden and gave him dominion over all he made, every living creature (including Serpents). This filled Satan with fury, because he knew that his time was short, the day of judgement had been set in time. That was Satan’s big problem, God had just invented time!

Seven days a week time! He was now on death row! The Final Battle and judgement day loomed before him – his final end was in sight (merely thousands of years away). From experiencing eternal life, Satan knew that his life would now come to an end in the lake of fire, the fear of this eternal death overcame him and became him - death overtook him!

Satan knew that the God-like humans called Adam and Eve would listen to God and subdue and dominate him on earth as God had in the heavens. He was surrounded from below and above! So he planned to overcome mankind at an early stage through his use of deception.

He planned his deception and saw the opportunity of revenge against God. He had done it once before and so he would use the same tactic again, but now in this lower earthly realm. Simple obedience to the Father would have protected Adam and Eve, but they were out witted and gave away their authority to Satan by listening to his lies as he manifested through a serpent ‘Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.’ The homeless

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Satan chose to use the craftiest animal in creation for his deceptive purposes, he needed to sneak up unseen and unheard until the opportune time. Satan ‘possessed’ this creature (a type of reptile) and spoke through it, because of it’s fleshly characteristic - crafty - just like him!

He caused the serpent to speak saying; ‘Did God really say?’, ‘And the serpent said unto the woman,Ye shall not surely die’. This was the doctrine of Satan, ‘ye shall be like gods’. They obeyed Satan and he entered them as they accepted the forbidden fruit in the garden - the knowledge of good and evil. Innocence was gone from their conscience and Satan’s nature filled their spirit (heart).

This independence from God plunged them into fear and darkness. Initially there was no outward effect, but the inner corruption began to work through their DNA and ageing began. Sin and corruption began its work causing shame and fear in the mind. Death had entered the world - it was now doomed.

That’s when all the trouble started for humanity, and the spiritual war began to manifest in the earth’s physical realm, Satan came knocking at the door of humanity at it’s earliest beginnings! Things haven’t changed much since! Satan uses a disguise and cunning craftiness, he is the deceiver of the nations looking to kill, steal and destroy the creature and the creation. But despite this God uses him like a blacksmith to bring discipline as he tries to win mankind back to himself.

“Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.”

(Isaiah 54:16-17) And now 6000 years on we are born into

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the last stages of a war where heaven and earth are shaking and we must choose which side to be on - light or dark. It’s time to wake up to the spiritual warfare that we are in because without Christ to help us we are on the wrong side, servants of Satan, the demons and angels of death!

All these human ideas, laws and beliefs (not from God’s Word) originate from Satan. His demonic influences blind human minds, so they do not believe in Christ, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. They cause man to worship the creation (nature) rather than the Dealing with The Serpent creator (the Word) who is in heaven.

Before Christian soldiers can even begin The demons (Satan’s servants) feed man’s to ‘outwit’ or ‘overcome’ Satan in this desire to justify themselves by ‘works’, ‘holy war’, we must first recognise that by his own ‘achievements’ in his vain he has already outwitted us! As we have attempt to get back to a world of life and seen, he has been scheming since before peace - the lost Eden - a grievous loss that time, he is super intelligent and has had mankind feels deep in the heart. But man the knowledge of good and evil before we has only made things worse and cannot were even created. He has knowledge of stop himself from destroying, just like his man and woman and can twist our natural father the devil. Therefore rejoice, you minds at a whim! The woman said, “The heavens and you who dwell in them! But serpent deceived me, and I ate.” In hindsight woe to the earth and the sea, because the Eve saw her mistakes, but she was trapped! devil has gone down to you!

Mankind became like clay in Satan’s hand Mankind’s attempts to get back to God of evil and man has tried in vain by his own have only resulted in more suffering and strength (so he thinks) to return to his first destruction descending further from God’s estate, however he blindly worships Satan grace and into the kingdom of darkness through a host of ‘religions’ (good works building his towers to the sky. The perfect of the flesh, idols), science (evolution/ illusion – a narcotic fantasia of the genetics) and materialism (lust/greed), mind. Satan laughs at our ignorance and believing he can overcome the world’s gullibility. He has devised many ‘kingdoms problems whilst not realising that he is in this world’ and put many distractions really subservient to the god of this world in the earth to keep us occupied until our and in rebellion (sin) against God. inevitable slow death, whilst keeping us This twisted relationship of man with the serving his purpose, the destruction of the hidden angel Satan is where deception earth and of it’s people. For he comes only is maintained through many and various to kill, steal and to destroy. ‘legalistic’, ‘occultic’ and ‘materialistic’ activities what Scripture calls ‘the world Facing Facts system’. Despite thinking that we have We must face these facts, Satan is real a ‘liberty’ everyone actually follows a and is here on earth ruling nations with ‘legalistic’ viewpoint, or a set of rules and all his evil hordes. Our forefathers chose laws for their life - even if the philosophy to leave the grace of God and join him denies that any spiritual realm even exists in the prison of darkness, a place where such as atheism, evolution or humanism. man is the king (or so he thinks)! What

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a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me form this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! God sent the cure for our sickness he provided the way back to him, a way which would awake us and make us stronger than ever before, a way to bring us back into fellowship and even to heaven itself - Jesus Christ King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

When the door opens and the light of revelation comes and shines into the prison cell the prisoner can sees what a sorry state he is in and the filth he lives in, but he then has to make a choice - to be free or to stay in darkness. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. The foolishness of mankind is plain to see, but it is denied continually because of the fear of death.

understood. You cannot hide your sin or failings from God, not even for a moment, he can see right through you! You cannot hide any darkness, even though you will feel afraid to mention it or confess it to another human soul. Just because your parents, friends or brethren didn’t see it, or hear it, doesn’t mean God didn’t - and yet he has not destroyed you - but has been merciful, giving you time! This sounds basic, but it reflects human behaviour and Satan’s original sin. If you are willing to get real with God he can sort out the complicated stuff for you and set you free from all deception and all of Satan’s lies! It’s a very simple choice, but once made there’s no turning back without consequences (please read Mat 12:43-45).

A Champion Arises

‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the Escaping the darkness prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the The opportunity to know God through Lord’s favour’. (Luke 4:18) Jesus Christ has never been more accessible, but man still deceives himself Mankind’s only hope of salvation from that there is no God watching, longing and Satan (and God’s final judgement) is to yearning to know him. Satan continues give up his own way and take hold of the to whisper the same lies into the ears Messiah, Jesus Christ, completely and and hearts of mankind convincing them utterly abandoning all human wisdom and that man has his own answers through reasoning that has ALL come from Satan. knowledge and doing good works. God These humanistic lies have been devised came to earth through Christ Jesus, but to keep you in darkness, separated from man persists in looking to the extremities God the Father of all. This affects everyone of the universe for life – man wants to be including Christians - especially today! lost in the cold darkness of space rather than accept the river of living water, a mere word of prayer away! Vanity all is vanity!

As we consider in a moment the various types of deception that Satan employs, it is vitally important that one thing is clearly

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OVERCOMING DECEPTION - PART 1

Breaking free of deception will prove to be costly to your pride, and to your flesh.You must ask yourself ‘Am I prepared to face this personal denial?’. This ‘dying to self’ is Knowing your enemy a very humbling and humiliating process, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. but I encourage you to go forward because Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent the reward is far greater - freedom! as doves” (Matt 10:16).

“However, wisdom is supreme; therefore get The Prophets of the Bible, including Jesus, wisdom.Though it cost all you have, get reveal that there are three main forms understanding” (Prov 4:7). of deception that form a trinity of Satanic As we look at each section we will be deception: attempting to reveal three things: A. Self Deception 1. The nature of the deception i.e. how it (denial, delusion, blindness) appears and works.

B. Deceitfulness of others 2. What the Truth of the Bible says about (doctrine of demons, human wisdom, it i.e. God’s perspective. religious control) 3. How to overcome the deception i.e.

C. Deceitfulness of Riches receiving the Word of Life personally to (worldliness, selfishness, greed) be free.

Deception has been around since time began, and this is not an exhaustive study The big question by any means. You will be able to add How can I know if I am being deceived? your own experiences, observations “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought and portions of the Bible that relate to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception” to each section as we investigate each (Prov 14:8) aspect of these evil schemes. I would also recommend that you pray over your The thing about being deceived is that studying of this subject, and realise that you don’t usually know about it until it’s you will be contested by the enemy within over and the damage is done, that’s how and without. Satan doesn’t give up ground deception works! Deception keeps you in in our hearts and minds without a fight. the dark, it denies you access to essential ‘He who says he has no sin deceives himself Godly wisdom that would set you free and the truth is not in him’. The truth can from its evil grip. It influences your mind be very challenging, even emotionally and can be a complex composition of painful at first, however if we are wise and linked errors of judgement and habitual embrace it we will experience the joy of sins. Thank God that Jesus said; ‘You shall ultimately being free and equipped to help know the truth and the truth shall make others. ‘You will know the truth and the truth you free’! The Word of God (Jesus) really will make you free’. The saying is true “no is our only hope in revealing, removing pain, no gain!”. Again Jesus told us: “And and preventing deception in order to why do you look at the speck in your brother’s escape the curse of sin which unchecked eye, but do not consider the plank in your own leads to spiritual and physical death. eye?”

Jesus operates through His Word and he

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alone will be the one to set you free - he is the only deliverer by the power of the Holy Spirit, glory to his name. Without a full knowledge of him and his ways of wisdom you are in real danger of being deceived again and again. Jesus informs us that without him you can do nothing, (John 15:5) that really means ‘nothing’.

It means you cannot save yourself or defend yourself against demons or escape the judgement. Grace is all about acknowledging the truth that Jesus has done everything for you and that you cannot take away or add to this perfect work (Rev 22:18-19).

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross”. (Col 2:15)

Section A Self-Deception

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ithout question self-deception is the most challenging part of the heart to unravel, because it’s so personal!

However you must start with your own heart. For this reason it’s probably THE most powerful form of deception, and definitely the hardest to detect and overcome. It can take a while to renew the mind, but hopefully this can start the process and give pointers and some truth that will help you uncover your own blindness. As Paul says we must ‘work out our own salvation with fear and trembling’ (Phil 2:12). If you don’t do it now you may never get truly free - a fearful prospect indeed.

The only true way to be free from this form of deception is to build a strong relationship with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the ‘Spirit of Truth’ and can

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guide you in the renewing of your heart and mind.You must learn daily to put off the old mind (satanic) and receive the new mind (Christ) given by revelation.

Remember that Jesus was tested or tempted just as we are, but was without sin. The Holy Spirit revealed the Word of the Father to Jesus as a man and revealed mysteries of what was to come.

This process of maturity can only happen when sin is absent in the heart and mind (John 14:17). The Holy Spirit will always guide you to the WORD of Jesus Christ to clean you, but also to receive life from the Father and these three are one. Only this Truth can correct your deception. For this reason the 4 gospels are especially essential, the very words of Christ himself recorded for you by those who knew him. No matter how many times you read these words they will always work in you devour them daily like bread from heaven itself!

Jesus is more interested in ‘prevention’ than ‘cure’ and he has given us certain safeguards in his Word (Bible) to help you avoid further deception. Unfortunately if you do not know about it or fail to use this heavenly wisdom there is little hope except to be deceived, and even worse, to become a deceiver of others! Even with Gods grace it’s a constant battle to remain free, you can only trust in the work of grace through the cross of Christ and kneel before the throne of grace to obtain mercy. Learn to fully co-operate with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, in order to release your full inheritance paid in full by Jesus Christ. The provision has been fully made, so take hold of it and be transformed from glory to glory until you are formed into his likeness.

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common to all men: 1. Spiritual Blindness 2. Spiritual Ignorance 3. Spiritual Hypocrisy 4. Spiritual Rebellion “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

(Rom 1:18-20).

Everyone suffers from these Adamic sins.

1. Spiritual Blindness There are millions of human beings in the world today who deny both the existence of God and the reality of the spiritual realm. These people are spiritually blind, dead to God their creator, unable to perceive the unseen, or sense or discern anything spiritual. They are complete unbelievers and completely lost being under Satan’s dominion - blindness means they cannot see however hard they try.

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (1 Cor 4:4) “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor 2:14) Satan, the god of this age, has blinded the minds of unbelievers by the selfdeception of the human heart through sin. These people fail to see beyond the physical natural realm of the flesh. But

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this weakness can still strike any man at anytime if we focus our thoughts on earthly things too much...

“The fool says in his heart,‘There is no God.’” (Psa 14:1)

The unbelieving proud mind can only be set free from this blindness through God’s saving grace - the Word. Every eye that is opened is a miracle and repentance brings rejoicing in heaven.

Accompanying the deception that ‘there is no God’ is of course the deception that ‘there is no Satan’. Satan’s desire is always to work in secret, in the darkness, unseen unheard and undiscovered or at least only as a mythological figure.

People who hold steadfastly to atheism, humanism etc. are deliberately avoiding the truth of God’s word for the sake of satisfying their own flesh whilst avoiding their feelings of guilt before an holy God. They believe that man holds the answer to his own future. This view is often supported today by a strong belief in some kind of philosophy or evolution theory. Science is exalted as the answer to all mankind’s issues and yet it is mainly science that has created the problem!

The only way for this blindness to be broken is for the ‘light’ of Jesus Christ (gospel) to be preached to the lost soul in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring about a change of heart for this kind of person. No human can do it, only his word. Jesus said that unless the Father draws people to him they will not come (John 6:44). He draws them by the Spirit in three ways as Jesus explained: “When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness

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and judgement: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me (Messiah); in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father (Sacrifice), where you can see me no longer (heaven), and in regard to judgement, because the prince of this world (satan) now stands condemned. (Judged)” (John

A revelation that Satan, the ‘god of this world’, is real and that with him the whole world is doomed to destruction and judgement (Spirit reveals demonic presence and expels them and their works). Jesus thereby saves us from the wrath of God. 16:8-11; Col 2:13-15) Whenever Jesus and his Kingdom are The cure for this first deception of proclaimed in their fullness, the Holy spiritual blindness is for the lost to Spirit will begin to free the minds of supernaturally receive these 3 revelations those hearing and break this blindness. from the Father by the Holy Spirit through The Word of God breaks their mind free the preaching of Jesus Christ and the from blindness to reality and enables them prayers of the Christian worker. This is a to see Jesus and his testimony of grace work of grace through the power of the towards them. This gives them the ability Kingdom of God, as Paul points out; to choose to follow Christ for themselves.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, Sadly most people are still unwilling to through faith-and this not from listen to the good news of Jesus until they ourselves, it is the gift of God-not experience a disaster in their lives, causing by works, so that no-one can them to cry out for help. But this is all boast.” (Eph 2:8-9) used by the Father to humble the heart (as “And how can they believe in the many testimonies reveal). The parable of one of whom they have not heard? the prodigal son is a good picture of how And how can they hear without the Father operates in this regard. Not someone preaching to them? And that He causes evil but that He does not how can they preach unless they are sent? intervene unless called upon. Sin has its As it is written,“How beautiful are the feet of own way of bringing pain and suffering. those who bring good news!”

On the first day of Pentecost when Peter (Rom 10:14-15) preached through the anointing of the Holy Spirit he concludes his first message The 3 revelations: by telling them how they can be saved 1. GUILT & SIN from the deception of Satan and from his A revelation of their own hopeless sinful kingdom of darkness: condition and guilt before a living Holy God and their need for Jesus to save them. “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the 2. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN apostles,“Men and brethren, what shall A revelation of their need for a living we do?”Then Peter said to them, “Repent, relationship with the Father IN HEAVEN and let every one of you be baptized through the righteousness of Jesus in order in the name of Jesus Christ for the to know God personally (Spirit points to remission of sins; and you shall receive Jesus on the cross and His resurrection the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise power to forgive sin and open the way. is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will 3. JUDGEMENT & HELL

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call.” (Acts 2:37-39) So, unless a man is born of WATER (repentance/baptism) and the SPIRIT (Faith/anointing) he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.You need God’s Spirit in you in order to enter his presence without being destroyed. John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Jesus ministry of doing this. He preached repentance and he said of Jesus; “I baptise you with water for repentance.

But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matt 3:11).

This reveals the unique ministry of Jesus, he alone baptises (or saturates) with the Spirit and this had never happened in history prior to that time. Without these two baptisms you are not a Christian as defined by Peter and all the apostles.

2. Ignorance (Acts 3:17; Psa 73:22) This form of deception and all the following ‘self delusions’ apply to those who have only received God’s Word in part by law or legalism, but who lack revelation knowledge by the Holy Spirit.

They only have a part of the truth and this can be more dangerous than having none!

Those who hear the Word but keep one foot in the ‘world’ from which they initially sought escape, may think that they did enough to get their ticket to heaven and now can live how they like.

This license to continue in a cycle of sin deceives them and they forget sin leads to death and that they have an active enemy, the devil, who seeks to devour them.

They may even attend a religious church group but although they may have some improved behaviours they do not have a

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hatred of sin, but easily tolerate it. They are pulled from pillar to post and up and down emotionally like a ship at sea in a storm. Sadly they have not built their house on the rock (doing the Word), and have not received the Spirit and fire to do this. These people are described by Jesus in the parable of the sower as those having ‘no root’ and they wither away when persecution comes. These are also called lukewarm (Rev 3:16) by Jesus. Paul also responded to this type of delusion; “So, I tell this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves to sensuality, so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.” (Eph 4:17-19).

“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30) Those who come to Christ and do not give up their old lifestyle of sin are in danger of living in this continual state of ignorant carnality. They commit sins often without knowing it and can do a great deal of damage to the validity of the gospel of Christ. Church members must rush to the aid of these young babes in Christ to protect them and help them grow in God. The ‘root’ or ‘foundations’ of the faith need to be emphasised and fully established in those claiming to follow Christ. (1 Pet 1:16).

As Paul explains, their main problem is

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that they are “darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God”. What is the life of God? It is his Spirit in us!

One of the main deceptions in traditional churches today is the denial of the Holy Spirit actively working in the believer, or ‘being filled with the Spirit’ or as John the Baptist put it, “He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire”. Many who attend traditional churches do not receive the promise of the Spirit and are deceived in thinking that he is not relevant for today.

Without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit no-one can overcome the powers of darkness and deception, for he is the only Spirit of Truth revealing Jesus Christ the Word made flesh. “…and will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you for ever - the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17).

God’s will is clearly shown in Scripture, he wants his people full of his Spirit. A fundamental aspect of his ministry. The Spirit reveals the mystery of Jesus Christ.

(See also; Acts 10:34-48; Acts 15:8-9; Acts

of the enemy (see also Heb 5:12-14).

We need our genuine brothers and sisters in Christ to support us as we grow to maturity. Ignorance is no excuse for not knowing how to live by the Spirit. We need to find those who are mature in Christ, who can teach and train us in the ways of the Lord. Failing that we always have the Bible and the teaching of the Apostles.

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Gal 5:25-26).

Paul warns us of three things which can take believers out of step with the Spirit of God: i. Let us not become conceited Our old enemy, pride, is the main danger.

No matter what form it takes pride removes us from God’s will, and the Spirit is grieved. “ “but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.” (Jer 9:24).

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov 16:18).

19v1-7; 1 Corin 6:19; 2 Corin 5:5; Gal “The pride of your heart has deceived you” 3;14; Gal 5:16; Eph 5:18; Rom 8:9).

(Obad 3).

Continued co-operation with the Spirit Pride can even manifest in ministry. Some is vital in building an effective defence people think that they have a ‘ministry’, against all forms of deception. However because of their gifting or ability and they even with the Spirit active in our lives it put their name in lights - this is also pride. does not in any way guarantee that we will be free from the powers of deception. Some take positions of ‘leadership’ over others for their benefit - this is also pride.

In fact Jesus said that the Spirit would ii. Let us not become provoking “lead you into all truth” implying that we are starting from a place of ignorance Pride can easily generate a competitive regarding all truth (i.e. as a baby!). Only spirit between believers which is both if we have a healthy awareness of the critical and condemning. People can Holy Spirit and the Scriptures will we become irritating by their coarse joking successfully win the fight against the wiles and teasing. A mocking sarcastic spirit can

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easily slip in and attack the unsuspecting hearts of the people.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Eph 4:29). iii. Let us not become envying Sometimes it seems that God blesses some people more than others and if we are not careful we may become jealous of them.

It is not true that God favours one above another, but rewards those who diligently seek him (Heb 11:6). The only way to prove this is to do it!

If we want to be greatest in the Kingdom or if we have needs that fail to be met, Jesus tells us the way to change it: “The greatest among you will be your servant.

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matt 23:11).

If we choose to humble ourselves and submit to his will, the Father will not have to discipline us for our benefit. If we do what is right will we not be rewarded!

“But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt 6:33).

Therefore there is no longer any excuse for ignorance. We need to actively search God’s Word and ask for the help of his Spirit within us, not by any strength of our own (James 1).

3. Hypocrisy “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother,‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in our own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eyes, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck form

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your brother’s eye.” (Matt 7:3-5).

Ouch! That’s straight talking, no beating about the bush from Jesus. The problem is that we all have a tendency to look at others and criticise, judge, then think we can help sort them out or give advice when really we are just as bad or even worse. Hypocrisy is another name for it, not confronted very much these days, but there’s plenty of it about.

None of us find it easy to see our own faults and even when we do, we like to make excuses for ourselves! “Well, you know it was my childhood experiences, so I can’t help it”.

It’s often quite strange that before we become a Christian we are often less hypocritical. We were good at being sinners and being committed to foolishness with all our lost friends. Then when we became a Christian, and trouble for the devil, perhaps after a while we became ‘knowledgeable’ and slipped into being judgmental of others. Because we experience God’s free saving and forgiving grace each day we easily forget how evil WE once were, and sometimes still are!

We are not in a position to preach to others about specks until we have removed the shameful logs in our own eyes, one of which may well be self deception. When it goes so does our desire to prove others wrong. We begin to serve others above ourselves celebrating the potential good in their life in Christ (1 Corin 8:1-3). We practice what we preach and live like Christ.

“Rather we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who

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are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Cor 4:2-4).

It’s easy to assume (and presume) that we know best, that we have the only true revelation. Again it can be our inner pride that is blinding and preventing us from seeing what we are actually doing.

The Gospel of Jesus was never just an intellectual affair. It isn’t just correct theology or intellectual acceptance.

Although these things are important we see Jesus did things, he helped the helpless, fed the poor, healed the sick and made disciples to change the world. Hypocrisy does nothing except complain and demand to be served, it’s always someone else’s responsibility!

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” (Matt 23:1-4).

“In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” (Matt 23:28).

The religious hypocrite will complain endlessly about everything that rocks their boat. They demand that people work and tithe money to them, yet often do no work themselves (apart from religious stuff). They will not want to change old traditions (the rules in church/religion) and will often view the move of the Holy Spirit in miracles as the work of the devil.

But hypocrisy can also be at work in those who belong to a so called ‘charismatic’ group. Many still do not actually do the

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things that disciples of Jesus are supposed to do. James gives a warning of this: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22).

Here is a short gospel check-up list of things we should be doing as servants of Jesus, the fruit and gift of His Spirit in us.

1. Love one another with actions, John 15:17; 1 John 3:16-20

2. Make disciples of all nations, Matt 28:19

3. Cast out demons, Mark 16:17 4. Heal the sick, Mark 16:18; John 14:12 5. Pray continually, Matt 26:41; Jas 5:16.

6. Worship in Spirit and Truth, John 4:24, Rom 12:1

This shortlist highlights the basic normal Christian life as seen from Jesus’ perspective.You’ll notice that they are all impossible to do without knowing him personally and that’s what separates true Faith from religious hypocrisy (which usually requires a lot of money to function!) (John 15:5) Unless we are full of the “fire” of the Holy Spirit we will not fully experience these 6 aspects of church life and will become lukewarm and separated from the head who is Christ, Jesus warns the church against this; “So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

(Rev 3:16).

The true saying goes; If you are a doer and not a hearer you are cold.

If you are a hearer and not a doer you are lukewarm.

If you are a hearer and a doer you are hot!

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Many get stuck in the middle because of following traditions rather than the truth of the written word.

Jesus warns about this in the last days when he said: “Because of the increase in wickedness, the love of many will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matt 24:12).

Wickedness certainly has increased recently and sadly the love for God has grown cold in many hearts and many nations are suffering violence as Satan’s army of evil hordes moves in.

So we can see that self deception stems from the independence of pride, and man gets wise in his own eyes boasting of what he has and does. But man cannot hide from God who knows best!

“Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think,“Who sees us? Who will know?” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it,“He did not make me”? Can the pot say to the potter,“He knows nothing”?”

(Isaiah 29:15,16).

“The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honour.” (Prov 15:33) It’s crucial that we fully understand what it means to obey his word to us by the power of the Spirit otherwise we risk being deceived into mediocrity!

(Eph 5:5-7).

4. Rebellion Sin is a personal problem!

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and hisWord has no place on our lives.” (1 John 1:8-10).

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The best way to deal with sin is to bring it into the light of day and confess it to God, even to one another. Here lies the problem we have. We hate to confess to anyone our personal inadequacies and faults, it’s humiliating, right! The thing is, unless we all admit to our personal problem of sin we will never be able to fully break free. God knows and sees us every time we abuse ourselves or do anything against another human that’s contrary to his law of love and holiness.

However, he doesn’t strike us dead, does he? That’s because he is for us and not against us, but we must not deceive ourselves into thinking that sin (even if seemingly small) will not have a negative effect on us if we do not confess it, because eventually it will bear fruit if left to germinate: “Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please the flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Gal 6:7,8).

“For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person - such a man is an idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let on-one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.”

Sin, or spiritual disobedience, propagates a lie which says this: “Once saved always saved no matter how I live”. This deception (stemming from Calvinism) has dragged countless souls into hell fire! Sin is spiritual rebellion against God’s Word and deserves death as Paul tells us in Romans 6:23. All sin is a cooperation with Satanic devils which is offensive to a holy God. Why? Because He knows it will kill us!

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This makes Christ’s blood so precious and powerful to cleanse us from Satanic lies.

As we’ve seen, only ‘he who endures to the end shall be saved’. All sin gives Satan control of the one who indulges in it. Jesus enables us to keep our account with Satan empty so that we are not indebted to him now and when the end comes. Satan is a legalist and uses the Law against anyone who has heard it even once.

“See to it brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly ‘till the end the confidence we had at first.” (Heb 3:12-14).

Holding back confession of sin begins to harden the heart, and this causes us to turn away from God and worse it could end in the Spirit withdrawing from us. So we must encourage one another to bring our sins to God in daily repentance, He alone can save us from it and help us overcome these faults. If we hold it in we may become sick, depressed and lonely because if we sow to the flesh we reap from the flesh destruction. For the wages of sin is death.

“A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognising the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgement on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgement.”

(1 Corin 11:28-31).

“Is any of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well;

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the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.Therefore confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:14-16).

We need each other. We need to avoid isolation. We need to know that we all have the same problem, sin and death. But we also need to know that there is a way to live victoriously together, through the victory of the cross.

“When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!

But now that you have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:20-23).

Serving God should lead us to holiness and a separation from worldly ways. It should give us the desire to treat our brothers and sisters in Christ (and others) with honour and respect, especially when we are remembering Jesus sacrifice for us.

Possibly our biggest enemy is our own mouth. We sin more with our words than in any other way. The prophet Isaiah suddenly had his eyes opened to this truth when he saw the pure glory of God; “So I said:“Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King,The LORD of hosts.”

(Isaiah 6:5).

James reveals how impossible it is for man to tame his own tongue, we cannot just ‘try harder’ but we must allow Jesus’ power to help us, king David knew this wisdom so he prayed; “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch

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over the door of my lips.” (Psa 141:3).

We must seek God daily in repentance of our sins and cry out for wisdom to prevent deception taking its grip of our mind (Rom 12:2). We must clothe ourselves in humility and walk humbly before God to escape the pride of our own heart (Phil 2:6-8). Our only hope is to develop our relationship with the Father through the Holy Spirit of Truth each day. Jesus alone must be our perfect example our model and our goal. We must actively cast out Satan from our own lives and the lives of others: “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.” (Rom 6:12) “For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” (2 Corin 4:11) As John the baptist and Jesus both said: “Repent for the Kingdom of God is near”

warns us of this: “You were bought at a price, do not become slaves of men.” (1Corin 7:23; 2 Thess 3:2).

There are ‘men’ who seek us to enslave us to their religious and political ways for their benefit or egotistical relief. There are those who want men to follow them (in place of Christ), to praise them, to serve them and their particular cause.

They use fine sounding arguments (even with Scripture), it often looks good, sounds good can even feel good, but their purpose is most definitely not good: “I urge you brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”

(Rom 16:17-18).

As we’ve already been seeing, deception works on the weaker mind that is not properly and actively being renewed to think like God according to the Spirit and Section B Word. Part of the problem is that we all The Deceitfulness of Others have a tendency to want to be deceived!

“He was assigned a grave with the rich in his What I mean is that we ‘naturally’ like a death, though he had done no violence, nor was good argument and like to be flattered any deceit in his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9). now and again, it’s nice to have someone here’s only one man who never spoke really show an interest in you and what you want. Our pride and expectations one word to deceive someone else, can then blind us to what some people are his name is Jesus Christ. The rest of us have all been, and probably still are guilty really saying or doing to us. The prophet Micah sums up this problem, with a of deceitful words at some time past, humorous, yet poignant statement: present and no doubt in the future. That same Jesus died to pay for our words of “If a liar and deceiver comes and says,‘I will sin, so that we can belong to him and learn prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ he would be just the prophet for this people!” to speak truth at all times, both now and (Micah 2:11). into eternity. Sadly, however, there are those who still seek to wilfully deceive and How true this would be today! Jesus manipulate others for their own benefit, warned us that many false prophets would some even believe it’s in God’s name. Paul arise in the last days (now) before his

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return, thinking they are serving God: “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” (Matt 24:10,11).

To those who have been Christians for some time spotting a false prophet is not that difficult, their cultic activities are usually quite blatant and clearly disagree with all Scripture. But to the younger seeker or believer discerning the true from false is not so easy due to their lack of Scriptural knowledge and discernment.

These people are very vulnerable like new born babes. We need to be continually on our guard as a corporate body against the men purporting to be ‘pope’, ‘apostle’, ‘prophet’, ‘cardinal’, ‘priest’ or ‘leader’ or some other high powered sounding title.

These roles in Christs church are meant as job descriptions of humble servants like ‘dustman’, ‘cleaner’, ‘waitress’ etc. and are not meant as titles of dignitaries or measures of status as seen in the world like ‘director’, ‘owner’, ‘king’ etc.)

“Jesus said to his disciples,“Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the market-places and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets. They devour widow’s houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”

(Luke 20:46-47).

If we believe the definition of the hypocrites (given here by Jesus), the parallel with many modern day activities of some ‘Christian’ or ‘pseudo-Christian’ organisations is clear to us. We must take notice of it or perish with them!

There are two main motives behind the actions of a religious hypocrite and Jesus reveals them on several occasions when

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confronting the Pharisees of his day: “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.

You can not serve God and Money.

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”

(Luke 16:13-15).

That’s right, he said if you do things just to get the money out of people it is detestable in his sight! Beware your motives.

The Spirit of Control The ‘religious leaders’ like to be in control, to be the ‘directors’ and to receive their justification from men. They need praise (support) from men to remain in their position of high social status and demand respect above others in a hierarchical structure. This is a worldly system liable to abuse where they are not always fully accountable: “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.” (John 12:42-43).

Hypocrites are the ones who like to make the new rules (additions to Scripture as with the Talmud, Book of Mormon, Jehovah Witness Bible NWT etc.).

They define what can and cannot be done in their organisation for their own benefit often controlling basics as food, relationships and money! They generate fearful respect in those whom they are controlling and if people step out of line o

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they are made to feel guilty and rebellious against them and so (according to them), against God who they say appointed them (even when He did not).

They like to tell people what they should do, but secretly do not fully do it themselves! No-one is permitted to question their motives and actions without reprisals such as being excluded from inside information. This type of system or ‘cult’ is now termed as ‘spiritual abuse’.

One can also argue that all denominations have elements of this behaviour as part of their man-made structures.

2. The second motive of the ‘religious’ or ‘ritualists’, is financial gain. They love money because it gives them social power and influence over the naive and poor.

They can have influence in the social and political realm for their own benefit and the benefit of their organisation. Without the constant supply of money they are unable to maintain their ‘church structure’ and so they fear loosing those who can give them affirmation and justification with money. Because of this, much of what they preach revolves around money and they persuade many that to give it to them is ‘God’s will’. They ‘sell’ their teachings for profit and they use redundant and misquoted old testament laws (like tithing and offerings) to justify their statements. Jesus gives advice to those who find themselves in such a religious system which is not the New Covenant way.

“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.”

Jesus called the crowd to him and said,‘Listen and understand. What goes into a mans mouth

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does not make him ‘unclean’, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean’.”

The disciples came to him and asked,“Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

He replied,“Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.

Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Matt 15:7-14).

Satan is definitely the author of all legalistic (human rules) ‘religion’ not based on Christ. This is why I believe Jesus commands his questioning disciples to “Leave them..”, because they are “blind”.

This is a clear instruction to all those who find themselves in an oppressive institutional, religious system based on hierarchy and made up rules (spoken or unspoken) which are often not even old covenant Jewish laws that don’t belong in the church since Christ came. In order to move on in truth, to follow Jesus, one must first leave behind religious rules, rituals and behaviours relating to them and then follow Jesus through obedience to the Holy Spirit on the basis of love (the first foundation see Hebrews 6). The disciples had to leave what they were doing and follow him away from their Jewish past of ‘law’ and ‘tradition’ to discover the new way of ‘grace’. Unfortunately the church fell from this grace turning back to a rule and law based belief system which has now been trapping many people for centuries. Jesus was so right when He said to beware these deceivers because they will surely fall into a pit and so will anyone who just blindly follows them! We now see secular government laws being introduced to force ‘church’ organisations to accept sinful principles like accepting LGBTQ people as ministers!

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Today many modern day ‘Jews’ have been deceived into following the Talmud (created by the Pharisees since the 2nd Century AD) which was written by the Pharisees after the destruction of the Temple, these ‘traditions of men’ also had influence on parts of the church creating heresies and affecting the Roman Catholic religion which emerged after Constantine. These two evil hierarchies ultimately generated all the subsequent denominational factions and sects in the world today - all of them!

To break free from this abusive anti-Christ deception is a great struggle in the heart and mind for anyone involved in such an organisation. This struggle reveals itself in two ways; 1. The Fear of rejection People who belong to ‘legalistic religious’ groups are caught in a net of ‘false security’ and ‘false loyalty’ which is based on false doctrine (submit to leaders) and rule keeping (pay your money), rather than purely by the Spirit and love. When challenged to leave their group there is understandably a fear of rejection by the others, especially ‘leaders’. The leaders, who insist they ‘must be obeyed’, build a picture of being ‘lost’ or ‘in danger’ outside of the group influence (‘church’) or proclaim that there’s nowhere better or safer. They are told not to go to other groups. People are then afraid to leave the group in case they are threatened by the ‘enemy’ or seen as a ‘Judas’. This form of so called ‘protectionism’ from the enemy is not God’s wisdom, but is really a demon spirit called ‘fear of rejection’.

The more powerful religions (cults) often threaten ‘excommunication’ or even ‘eternal death’ to those who try to contest certain rules or when trying to leave

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without permission or when transferring to another group. False teaching has often been drummed into the mind of those trapped and so this stronghold can only be broken through prayer, fasting and seeking the truth with all the heart!

This religious ‘controlling spirit’, although in a subtle form, inhabits the hypocritical liar and manipulator in all of today’s cults and so called ‘denominations’. This is a sad but true situation and one we pray will be overcome as these institutions weaken in the last days tribulation period and die away. Only when members refuse to be manipulated and leave such people can God lead them to true believers where love is practiced in faith with absolute freedom based on freewill (Gal 5:1).

2. False Loyalty The fear of being rejected by the cult group is re-enforced by the creation of a ‘false loyalty’ to ‘the leader’ or ‘founder’ (who may well be dead!) or to the ‘leadership team’ sometimes portrayed as ‘elders’ (but not in the Pauline sense).

Through teachings and personal persuasion the false leader system works to acquire the trust of the group even ‘church’ giving themselves important names such as ‘pastor’, ‘bishop’, ‘father’, ‘elder’, ‘priest’ and ‘Pope’ etc. They appear to the ‘member’ that the ‘leader(s)’ is always right or to put it another way ‘infallible’.

Leaders are then viewed, quite wrongly, as those who are ‘above’ others (like lords) in wisdom or revelation, who are to be obeyed or else suffer spiritual pains and punishment by God (but this is not what the Bible teaches). They often power dress in a certain unusual way to reinforce their position (e.g. gowns, collars, expensive suits etc.). Once persuaded this false loyalty felt by the member gives them a o

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sense of safety and false assurance when in fact they are in great danger. Most cults and heresies start with someone posing as ‘the great leader’. This is a system based on pride the great sin of Satan himself!

However, Biblical humble leadership is shown by Jesus alone and should be a service of providing for and serving the sheep, not the other way round (e.g. Jesus NEVER took a tithe from his followers but encouraged sharing to the poor!).

When trapped in false ‘church’ loyalty the member believes God will do them good when in fact it will have the opposite effect and cause blindness, dullness and tolerance of sin and pride.

As with all forms of deception and abuse it tends to breed more abuse. Those who are being manipulated will often seek to manipulate as well thinking this is the correct way to lead and so abuse passes down the line of authority. Many organisations have grown and grown by reproducing themselves and their false leadership traditions. Sadly many ‘leaders’ sometimes get exposed for sexual abuse or financial corruption or sometimes burnout with marriage collapse - proving the weakness of the ‘legal system’ they promote. Most hierarchies can function without the Holy Spirit being in charge because it is based on carnal worldly ideas!

If you are in one of these systems (or have been) breaking free takes courage and faith and a total commitment to Christ alone.

This will on occasions bring persecution even from those who say they are believers, just ask Paul!

“Don’t you know that yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast-as you really are. For Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed.”

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(1 Corin 5:6-7 see also Gal 5:11)

In the above Scripture see the word ‘yeast’ as ‘hierarchy’ and you really get the meaning of what Paul is saying. When victims have lowered their spiritual guard they are open to receive even more of the false teachings or what Paul tells Timothy are ‘doctrines of demons’. These teachings rob the individual of their full liberty and freedom in Christ turning them into passive watchers and listeners only (Pew fillers). Even those who have known genuine salvation and deliverance can be re-manipulated and turn back to this ‘yeast’ of the world; “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God - how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you.” (Gal 4:8-19).

The concern Paul and other apostles have is that those who have the faith of Christ alone are somehow drawn away back towards ‘earthly legalistic systems’ whether Jew (Law) or Gentile (Paganism), being told that you must obey certain rules in order to be accepted by God. “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits (false teachers) and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which god created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.” (1 Tim 4:1-3)

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The seriousness of this form of deception is strongly highlighted by Paul, revealing it to be inspired by demonic powers. Jesus also emphasised the dangers of ‘the teachings of the Pharisees’ and any who take such a position - be careful it’s not you! “‘But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees’. Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Mat 16:11-12).

Jesus clearly warns us against these ‘teachings’, but do you know what they are, so that you can be on your guard against them? We have touched on a few already, but there is more.

The sad thing about this deception is that deceivers truly believe that they are serving God! How can they think in such a way? Their basic problem is the searing of their conscience. They have been continually denying the truth as it is revealed to them by choosing to perpetually do what even their own spirit is advising them against, often for material gain leading to a state of denial (2 Tim 3:5; 2 Pet 2:1; Jude 1:4).

God is often wrongly presented as a ‘hard task master’ and the people as ‘rebellious’ and ‘unyielding’, instead of the Christian yoke being ‘easy’ (Matt 11:30) it’s being portrayed as ‘hard’ and ‘complex’ - even ‘confusing’ with a mix of Old and New Testament principles muddled together.

In their desperation these deceivers create a hierarchical system or joins one to work their way up the leadership ladder as they seek power. This is the pyramid leadership model used by those in the world and which Jesus specifically forbade for his church: “And he said unto them,The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and

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they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” (Luke 22:25-26) Their teachings are a common feature of the last days: “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (1 Tim 3:12-14 see also Jeremiah 9:3-15)

Jeremiah chapter 9 shows that deceit can go from bad to worse until a whole society is irreversibly affected leaving God only one way to bring back or shock people back to reality, physical judgement.

Many (if not all) of the natural disasters that occur today are the result of sin and corruption and should cause those affected to turn to God for wisdom and help. Sadly many do not respond this way but instead blame God and turn further from him. (see also Rev 9:20-21).

However these things are a result of God (who protects) being pushed away from us, so that he can no longer defend us from Satan and the demons in the earth.

God cannot dwell alongside evil, so if we continually choose evil he cannot dwell with us and Satan assumes control and what does he do? He steals, kills and destroys!

There are many other scriptures that warn us against following those who use deceit of any kind to manipulate others. We need to have a wise approach towards any who claim to be ‘teachers’ or ‘leaders’ in these last of the last days because they are the worst of all time. Even Paul the apostle encourages us to test and approve these people who MUST fulfil strict criteria before we entrust or open any part of our o

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soul or spirit to them.

“So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (1 Corin 4:1-2).

See also 1 Tim 3:1-13 and 2 Tim 2:15.

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Tim 4:3-4).

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to Me,‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day,‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name?’ And then I will declare to them,‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matt 7) The FRUIT that Jesus speaks of is the fruit of the SPIRIT and the law of CHRIST and not legalistic obedience to Mosaic food laws etc. The way Paul and his friends dealt with people reveals the correct Spirit in true overseers entrusted to reveal these secret things of God to His people.

“For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men,

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but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness - God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. For you remember, brethren, our labour and toil; for labouring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God” (1 Thess 2:3-9).

The deceiver can always be recognised by the flattery of his or her words and their lack of genuine effort to help people in very practical ways, for they are ‘above’ such things. They always ask for money!

“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.” (Rom 16:17-20).

The destiny of those who deceive others has been clearly decided by God as David reveals in the Psalms: “You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.” (Psa 5:6).

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Section C Deceitfulness of Riches Worldliness

sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”

(Matt 19:23-30).

So then, what is it about riches that can make them so deceptive? Is it bad to own things of value etc.? Paul deals with this subject quite well, but not without controversy, when discussing marriage and Luke 8:14 (Parable of the Sower). our priorities of servanthood he states; n this key parable Jesus reveals one of “But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; the main deceptions the devil uses to and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. hinder the walk of faith. The purpose Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: of this deception is clearly exposed, ‘and but I spare you. But this I say, brethren, the they do not mature’. God is looking for a time is short: it remaineth, that both they that people who are fruitful, exhibiting the characteristics of Jesus Christ by His Holy have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept Spirit - mature. For this to happen the not; and they that rejoice, as though they growing conditions in our mind have to rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though be just right. Just as a farmer gets good they possessed not; And they that use this results when he plants seed in good soil, so world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of too does the Father of our spirits when we this world passeth away. are fertile, free of hindrances in thought.

But I would have you without carefulness. He It’s ironic that having to much stuff can be that is unmarried careth for the things that as big a hindrance as having to little. belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that “Then Jesus said to his disciples,“I tell you the are of the world, how he may please his wife.” truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier (1 Corin 7:28-33). for a camel to go through the eye of a needle It’s so easy to become engrossed in the than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of things of this world, things that take up God.” When the disciples heard this, they were both our time and our thoughts distracting greatly astonished and asked,“Who then can us from the study of the Scriptures and be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said,“With prayer. Sometimes we feel that we have so man this is impossible, but with God all things many problems to deal with that there just are possible.” isn’t the time to spend in more ‘spiritual’ Peter answered him,“We have left pursuits. This is a sign that the weeds are everything to follow you! What then will really beginning to choke us!! That feeling there be for us?” Jesus said to them,“I tell you of being trapped by your circumstances, of the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the being restricted and frustrated. Unless we Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who actively seek to pull out these weeds they have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, will take over and ruin the good shoots. judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brother or sisters or father Surely it is better to have less and be at peace than to have much with strife and or mother or wife or children or fields for my stress? The apostle John gives us another “The seed that fell among the thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature”

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strong word of advice when he says: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17).

You have needs. God knows your needs even before you do! Satan, however, will continually point them out to you.

Cleverly he pressures your mind with the problem saying “they cannot be met, you are lacking the means to get it”. After pressurising you with the problem he will offer you the solution to that problem, normally you will hear. “What you need is ‘more money’. Money will solve any problem.” This scheme is designed to focus your mind off Christ (the Spirit) and on to money (flesh) as your source of help.

The TV, newspapers and magazines of the world nurture this get more philosophy and water it with their words! It very subtly sets a standard, or ‘normal’ thought process of a worldly mindset. Anyone who continually exposes themselves to this subtle mind control will, in times of need, cry out to God for more money! In desperation they may even attempt to do the lottery and gambling schemes thinking God will help them win! False preachers and get rich quick gurus aim their false money teachings at these weak willed vulnerable people and rob them. There’s a sucker born every day! The current level of fraud in the world is immeasurable!

Money is even nicknamed ‘bread’ by those in the world implying its vital function of provision, a counterfeit to Christ the ‘bread of life’. But you can’t live on bread

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alone! (Deut 8:3).

Whatever we do to ‘get money’ for what ‘I want’ is a form of slavery to the demands of money’s power in the world. If you see your life in terms of whether or not you have enough money or goods you have been ensnared and you will struggle to hear God speak to you and you will be continually dissatisfied. If you are making life’s decisions purely on the basis of how much money you have, then you are treading dangerously. Beware!

Jesus said,“No-one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You can not serve both God and money (Mammon).” (Matt 6:24).

When Jesus tells us that doing both is impossible he means it! Many in the western church think they can do both, but this has led to huge compromises and false doctrines in the people who judge spirituality according to worldly success. However think on this, Jesus died pennyless, Paul died pennyless as did many of the apostles and yet they are spiritual giants who sacrificed their life - this life for our sakes so we can be rich in Spirit and Truth! We must imitate them not the rich.

It’s not wrong or ‘unblessed’ to be poor.

To those of this world their ‘bread’ is money and they try to get as much of it as possible, to the believer our ‘bread’ should only be Jesus Christ, the true bread from heaven (John 6:35).

Satan will always tempt you about taking bank loans to get what you want (James 4:3). Why wait? he says, “you can buy now and pay later”. You pay all right, not just with interest, but with your soul too! A spirit of DEBT begins to operate in your life and finances, that’s how banks make extra money out of us. He is seeking

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to ensnare you because the borrower is subject to the lender! He has convinced you that God cannot provide for you on time (Rom 13:8). We must be patient and wait for God to help us through difficulties (via new work or our brothers and sisters in Christ) not necessarily the bank manager! In Luke chapter 12 Jesus warns us: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

There are different kinds of greed, but they all exhibit the same selfish reasoning ‘The solution to my problem is, I must have more, and have it now!” So much of what the world says we need is ‘material junk’, the ‘inventions of men’ to obtain pleasure or status. Drugs of all kinds to affect the body systems to bring false pleasure and distraction from the truth.

Selfishness is impatient, not prepared to wait or go without occasionally. Jesus said we must learn to ‘deny ourself daily carrying our cross’ (obedience).

Most worldly people believe that more money will give them lasting happiness, but no-one can give a convincing example of someone who has done it! Money cannot buy you love or peace! Paul also warns us again in his letter to Timothy: “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” (1 Tim 6:9-11).

Paul advises his fellow worker Timothy to

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flee the desire to be rich by this world’s standards! Not that things are bad in themselves, but pursuing them is the problem, we have a higher purpose.

In Deuteronomy chapter eight God makes it plain that He is leading his obedient people to a good land - a land with streams and pools of water, a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig-trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and they would lack nothing. So we see that God intended them to blessed, and they would be if they were obedient and patient, and he didn’t even mention money! He also wants you to be well provided for today, even blessed enough to give away to others.

However as Deuteronomy eight reveals, God is concerned more about our heart attitude. He wants us to have some things, not things to have us! He wants us to appreciate every blessing we have and to be prepared to share it with others in need. Jesus clearly states this as a promise of the new covenant.

“And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (Luke 12:29-31).

We are often very aware that Satan is trying to take things away from us, but are we as conscious of the tremendous truth that in his great generosity God the Father is actively seeking to provide for us - free of strife! There is a condition however, which Jesus points out, we must ‘Seek first His Kingdom’ we must have the correct attitude. The Christian experience is to be unique and peculiar to the confused world, the reversal of the world mentality which thinks “if I want any thing in this o

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world I must either work very hard for it, win the lottery or steal it!” The Christian mentality in regard to this whole issue of provision should be “As I seek first His Kingdom and do his will, Father will GIVE me all I need as He chooses, because He knows best”. Our identity is not in what we have, but in who we are in Christ!

Our greatest treasure should be the promises of heavenly reward and the world to come and not this world’s corruption.

By removing the provision pressure Jesus aims to give us real peace, security and contentment in this life and assurance of eternity to come with him. God’s plan here is to give you what you need and for there to be equality among men! We must be satisfied with His choices. His plan is to fully support you in His purposes and prosper your soul as well. The world is seeking to make money in order to get for itself the things it wants, the lust it needs to fulfil, to rise above others and escape the curse of Cain. We are not to wear ourselves out trying to get rich like them, as wisdom teaches us in Proverbs: “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” (Prov 23:5,6).

Someone once said, “Money talks, but it usually says, ‘Goodbye’!” God wants to bless us, as we have seen, but more than just financially. He is seeking to bless us with a special QUALITY of heavenly, eternal life, a supernatural life of peace both spiritual, mental and physical, spirit, soul and body. What the Jews called ‘Shalom’.

As we’ve seen Paul warned those who want to get rich of the many dangers, a greater vulnerability to the temptations

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and traps of the enemy and consequently ruin. That ruin may manifest in a marriage break up, sickness, sexual perversion, financial ruin, friends betraying or even murder. A curse of some kind comes even upon the believer! ‘What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul!’ (Matt 16:26) We must be on our guard against the get rich quick greed in our society, and even in the ‘churches’ that preach from the Law and extorts money from congregations for their religious traditions! Greed only talks about money, how much or how little you’ve got, or the great ideas you have to make it! Jesus doesn’t want you to be thinking about making money, he said: “Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” . God Almighty doesn’t need us to make money for him, he has access to everything he has made.

We are deceived if we think that the purpose of the gospel is to be rich above others. This is NOT the will of God. “He is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.” (Acts 17:25).

“For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he HAS and DOES - comes NOT from the Father but from the world. The world and it’s desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17).

When you meet someone for the first time or fellowship with friends the conversation can be twisted towards these things. Are we boasting of what we HAVE and DO? “Well, I have a BMW” “I earn £25,000” “I’m building my own business”. Are we

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proud of the things we have and do? Do we think it makes us more spiritual or important? or is the Kingdom of Heaven and His purpose more important? What do we talk about the most? Let it be the beauty of Jesus Christ and His work of salvation.

“You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives up the ability to produce wealth and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.” (Deut 8:18).

Find the balance

I trust that this short study has helped to stir and reveal the truth about how deception works. The only way to combat this evil spirit is to actively seek God’s will, to hunger for truth and pray in the Holy Spirit. The Word of God (KJV) must be the final authority and absolute standard by which you judge your thoughts and actions. I pray that you will not be counted among the fools of history who have done the opposite.

“The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.”

(Prov 14:8).

There is a proper balance in regard to our provision that God is looking to establish in us, and this is best expressed in Paul’s words to the Philippians: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the SECRET of being CONTENT in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:12-13).

Christ gives us strength to be content with what we have, because our life is in Him and not in the things we have. Having too much is just as much a problem as having too little!

People in the West have very little idea of what it means to be in want, most people in the western world live as kings compared to the rest of the world.Yet we still think of ourselves as poor! What an incredible deception!

“Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”

Epilogue

(Prov 11:28).

If God has blessed you, or at some time does give you riches to manage, remember that they can bless or curse depending on your attitude. The poor often trust in God because there is no other choice! But the rich man is able to relax in his comforts and forget about God, if he is not careful to remember where all things come from:

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Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

ISAIAH 40:28-31

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