Divisive Devils Posing as Christ’s Ministers

DISCERNMENT is a biblical truth and is God’s way of protecting His beloved people (Proverbs 30:5; Ezekiel 44:23). May Christ shine His holy light in our hearts and then we will be possessed with the discernment of our Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20; John 10; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 1:9-10).

“But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:12-15

God is toppling all the heart idols (Ezekiel 14:3)… because He’s Jealous and wants us looking to Him and not these mere men, these vile wolves, these celebrity sinners posing as His representatives (Exodus 34:14).

“For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” Exodus 34:14

Have you noticed that some of the most arrogant people are those who set themselves up as watchmen, prophecy teachers, so-called intercessory prayer warriors, and authors? These people write books, have radio programs, have taught in so-called seminaries or Bible colleges, held seminars, street preached, and/or pastored a church. God is not impressed and you shouldn’t be either. They (mere men) are not the authority – The LORD left us His Word which is final authority (Psalms 33:11; 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:!6-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21, etc.).

Don’t be bullied!

No, instead, may God bless us with His holy fear to say with His apostle Paul:

“Yea, let God be true, but every man a liar.” Romans 3:4

Humility is a must.

Humility is a divine command, not a suggestion (James 4:10).

Jesus came as a humble servant and gave His very life for us. Then He instructed us to humble ourselves and do the same.

“And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:24-28

The Son of God came to serve the Father and others and all who truly know and serve Him will be found doing the same!

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:3-8

Becoming and remaining teachable proves our true humility before the LORD and His precious saints. Check out here what Solomon says about this. This is one of the most potent Scriptures in all of God’s Word on being teachable/unteachable:

“Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.” Ecclesiastes 4:13

BEWARE SAINTS: Jesus told us to “know” (Gr. Discern) people, especially those doing ministry “by their fruits” and not by their great knowledge of God’s Word. See Matthew 7:15-20. In fact Satan knows God’s Word better than all of us, right? Remember how he used the Scriptures in his attempt to tempt and trip Christ up in the wilderness? See Matthew 4 and Luke 4.

The kingdom of God is not just all about knowledge ….. 1 Corinthians 8:1-2 says: “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. ” 

WE are never to forget and to always remember the words our LORD gave His apostle in Ephesians 4:32. Click here to check out this extremely important truth.

Just because someone is capable of delivering a good, smooth, or exciting message from God’s Word doesn’t mean they are walking in the Spirit or truly grounded in an abiding relationship with Christ (John 15). The “fruit” that Jesus produces in those who truly know and “abide” in Him includes love, longsuffering, gentleness, mercy and kindness. Regardless of someone’s knowledge of God’s Word, without true humility, they are not saved but rather full of pride and arrogance which guarantee their eternal damnation unless they repent (Matthew 20:24-28; 23:8-12; James 4:6-10).

Colossians 3:12-14 is a very powerfully important passage beloved of God. Please pore over these words of Holy Scripture and allow them to seep into your innermost being and thinking:

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And ABOVE all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14

Be careful about those who treat others with great arrogance and no tolerance for not seeing every single thing the way THEY see them. I’m not speaking of the essentials of the Gospel which are non-negotiable. Seeing things the way THEY see them is what is important to those who are full of pride (therefore not saved). “Not saved!? Are you kidding, they know the whole Bible and have written books and have a great website and a radio program!!! How dare you insinuate they aren’t even saved!!!” I stand with Jesus:

“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children (humble, tenderhearted, dependent on Christ and His body), ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4

Any questions?

Lost.

The unteachable are this way because they are full of pride and arrogance instead of true humility. For this reason, on the basis of Holy Scripture, I draw the conclusion that they are as sure for hell and the lake of fire as if they were already there.

As if those words from the Son of God weren’t enough, listen to the divine Person of the Holy Ghost through James:

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:6-10

That one who is full of arrogance manifests his/her evil heart in that they are not being a humble servant and realizing that they like all of us have much to learn. Their so-called “ministry” is all about them and not Christ and others. It’s all about their ministry branding, their website, social media pages, books, or whatever else they are promoting instead of Jesus. Those things are not evil in and of themselves and yet, they are being used in an evil fashion by some who are not living out a repentant life in the daily cross of Jesus (Luke 9:23-24; 14:33; 17; 33, etc.).

EVERY “pastor” who is not about Christ’s Great Commission command, is a hireling who is building his own kingdom (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:47-49; book of Acts).

Love

According to the love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, love is eternal and not …. Tongues, prophecy, knowing biblical mysteries, KNOWLEDGE, faith to remove mountains, giving one’s goods to feed the poor or even giving their body to be burned.

According to 1 Corinthians 13, the following things, though they have their place of importance in the kingdom of God on earth, are not eternal and are infinitely less important than experiencing and living out God’s love through an abiding relationship with Christ which is centralized in the daily cross.

• Tongues,
• prophecy,
• knowing ALL biblical mysteries,
• KNOWLEDGE,
• faith to remove mountains,
• giving one’s goods to feed the poor, or
• even giving their body to be burned

Let’s read this blessed chapter together saints.

1 Corinthians 13

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”

Have I missed something if I summate 1 Corinthians 13 as teaching us that without God’s love in us, we are nothing?

Those who preach God’s Word are to do such “with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2)

Win the soul to the truth – don’t arrogantly attack them because they don’t see things YOUR way or don’t see the truth yet.

Do we not understand that fellowshipping in and teaching and learning God’s Word together reveals that we as His children are at different levels of understanding?

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26    

What was Jesus speaking of when He stated “By THIS shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35) Let’s read the immediately preceding words of our LORD to discover this answer: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (John 13:34)

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

If you haven’t learned how to love God and thereby be filled with His love to others, you haven’t learned a thing and are hell bound without question. You are nothing in God’s eyes (1 Corinthians 13).

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37

What is the very first of the nine fruit of the Spirit produced in the life of every person who truly knows Christ? See Galatians 5:22-23.

Prayer: Holy Father in Heaven, rebuke and break us to the core of our being! Bless us to be shaken down to nothing. Grant us Thy holy fear and gift of repentance, laying down our lives before You and others. Teach us Thy daily cross Jesus! In Jesus name, amen.

Be Ye Kind

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