333 Words

333 WORDS….

Deception.

There’s plenty of deception in the church of Jesus Christ, always has been. Simply because….

Simply because there has always been a deceiver to afflict God’s own. “The god of this world” competes with “the Spirit of truth” for our attention. Both are teachers – one false, One true. Both he and He work tirelessly to be our chief influence.

Unlike the flu that subdues many but never all, deception is a spiritual infirmity that afflicts everyone to varying degrees. In each of us are truths; in each are misconceptions. However….

However, if you believe there’s better protection from fear, failure, sickness and accidents for the sheep (you are a sheep) walking close to “the good shepherd” – compared to those who distance themselves – can you also believe there’s increased protection from deception?

Worshippers learn more, learn quicker, are deceived less. Those yoked with Jesus are better insulated from the many dozens of “wind[s] of doctrine” having infiltrated the church. The fervent will learn the will, ways, and words of God more readily than the scholarly.

Caution: Both he and He speak, indirectly, from pulpits. Pulpit-people are spokesmen for both. If you balk at the suggestion pulpit-people often convey the enemy’s misconceptions, consider….

Pulpit-people correct/criticize fellow pulpit-people frequently. Most endorse tithing (by which they are salaried). Most are credited by, and accountable to, a (non-Biblical) denomination. Who but pulpit-people are responsible for the dubious condition of the church? The point is….

Pulpit-people, as non-pulpit-people, cannot be trusted. The immature are charmed by the gifted and able, this to their harm. Our trust must be in Christ alone, and the Holy Spirit He has sent. They alone are infallible. They alone can protect us from deception.

If we are trusting in men we are not trusting in “the Man Christ Jesus”. If we do not trust Him to be our safety, He is not our safety. Lord Jesus, not pulpit-people, should be our fascination, our conversation, our teacher, our lord.

Hail to the King!