Sticks and Stones and Dead Mens Bones

Matthew 23:3-5 "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be bourne, and lay them on mens shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments."

Matthew 23:27 "Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead mens bones, and of all unrighteousness."

The pitfalls of these final moments of the age are numerous to be sure, however, one of the most dangerous of all is the false teacher. A false teacher will make you feel like everythings alright when everything is definatly NOT alright. They say all of the right phrases, they cry when they're supposed to cry, and they repeatedly tell of their desire to simply reach the lost. They will most likely have a never ending parade of teaching series that can be obtained for a "love gift" of X number of dollars. They will appeal to the flesh; talking much of success in this life and how you can be blessed with an abundance of material goods. They will use particular scriptures which refer to material blessings while ignoring the ones concerning holiness and those which focus on the world to come. They will repeatedly explain how "LOVE" of money is the root of all evil but not the money; right before they begin talking about prosperity. As mentioned on so many occasions, prosperity itself is not the problem; obsessing about it is. When it becomes the dominant theme in a preachers message, there's without a doubt, an attachment (love) for the things of this life. These folks sell books, CDs and DVDs by the millions. This present world is continuously emphasized while the one to come is placed on the back burner with a "we'll cross that bridge when we come to it" mentality coupled with a chorus of "we're not going to be here in the tribulation."

They love this world. They talk about this world because that's where their heart is. (You can't hide what's inside.) They appear righteous, but they focus on carnal things in their teaching and conversation. With so many teachers and preachers out their and a church on every corner, you really have to abide by Hebrews 5:14 and stay grounded in the word of God. Stay as close to the Lord as you can and "learn of him." Then, you'll have discernment when someone comes along with a gospel which is "not another" but is altered just enough to lead the simple into many hurtful lusts. When you obsess over the acquisition of things and success in the physical realm you "pierce yourself through with many sorrows." (I Timothy 6:10) These next verses should make your hair stand as they tell of false teachers.

II Corinthians 11:13-15 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 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."

Understand this: the devil knows how to "PUT ON A SHOW!" Know also that he will always pander to the desires of the flesh. (Genesis 3:6)

Acts 20:29-31 "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears."

One could do an entire series of posts on that passage of scripture. If you ever wondered why Paul was betwixt, the answer is here. He knew ( not suspected; KNEW) that after he departed, false teachers with an alternate agenda would seek whom they could draw away from the truth. One more set of verses before I conclude this post.

II Peter 2:1-3 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be even spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

Some points to bring out here are as follows:

1: They come in privily; they'll sneak in undetected.

2: They will deny the Lord Jesus. I John chapter 4 covers this in detail

3: Many will "buy" into their teaching and will speak evil of the truth.

4: They will appeal to the flesh; through covetousness.

One final note. As the age concludes and the "big inclusive tent" of the one world religion manifests before our eyes, those who truly love the Lord Jesus Christ and long to serve him are going to be ridiculed. The false religion will make "perfectly good sense" in the physical realm as once again, the devil knows how to put on a show and appeal to the flesh. Those who live a holy life and don't subscribe to the views of this world religion are going to be ridiculed as being narrow-minded and lacking in love for their neighbors. (Their name will be "cast out as evil.) I really sense an urgency on this; we are going to be made a laughingstock to the point that if you're not firmly rooted in the truth, you'll never stand. There will be false signs and lying wonders that will seem to verify those teachings which are false as the tribulation unfolds. I really believe that there will be "developments" in the world, be it an illusion of alien contact, pyramids on Mars, or what have you, that will seem to disprove christianity. I cannot put into words just how deceptive these times will be; times that are right at the door. The population is already prepared to receive such illusions. In the previous post, there was mention of how dangerous it is to follow a person or a ministry to the point that it comes between you and the Lord jesus. Each one of us MUST search the scriptures daily and pray without ceasing. I sound like a broken record, but this cannot be emphasized enough. I must go for now but please take these things to heart.