Fake!

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

“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” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 KJV).

Recently, while flipping through a book, I noticed such phrases as “God’s grace” and “Holy Spirit.” Surely, this was a Christian writer. However, I saw “Christ Consciousness” on one page. The author turned out to be a “psychic,” polluted with New Age eastern mysticism!

The world is a hazardous place for new and/or shallow Christians—and, most regrettably, that encompasses nearly all professing believers. False teachers come in various forms, but the most dangerous are those who use the Bible and its terminology. It is easy to label someone as evil if he or she discards the Scriptures: “I do not appeal to the Bible” is a dead giveaway that person desires to share worthless information. Yet, the false teacher is often subtle, promising: “I love, follow, and know the Bible.” Remember, Satan appeared to be a Bible believer. Instead of outright ignoring Scripture, the Devil actually quoted Psalm 91 to Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:5,6; Luke 4:9-11)!

In ancient Judah centuries before Christ: “And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear” (Jeremiah 25:4; cf. Jeremiah 26:5; Jeremiah 29:19; Jeremiah 35:14,15). They were ignoring God’s preachers because they were too busy listening to the Devil’s preachers who claimed to be “God’s” servants! “Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart” (Jeremiah 14:14,15; cf. Jeremiah 23:21,22,30-32; Jeremiah 27:15; Jeremiah 29:8,9).

Dear friends, if we are to save ourselves from such rampant deception, we had better heed the Lord’s words through the Apostle Paul, Romans through Philemon! “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37).