DECEPTION

We see so much political deception AND spiritual deception. I wrote a post long ago that they flow together. I have never seen them operate independently.  The reasons these deceptions exist are starkly similar.

I hear people who may agree with political policies but hate the messenger. If he or she is not a cuddly Teddy Bear, they will stop their ears and ignore the fact that the opponents are steamrolling them in the public square, attacking their faith, trying to pervert their kids, and removing core liberties that too many take for granted.

I also hear people who reject clear Biblical teaching. They may say it is too narrow or not loving enough, even if it closely resembles what Jesus or the Apostles taught. They then turn to those wider mercy people who cannot unequivocally say that Christ is the only means of salvation, or those who do not understand that the greatest love is to lay down one's life for one's friends, not to empty the pockets of your congregants because their love for themselves is greater than their love for either God or His people.

Our country has largely purged the study of geography, history, morality, and civics from the educational system, and most people are too lazy to study themselves as our great President Abraham Lincoln did. The result is civic illiteracy, which political predators take advantage of to lie about almost everything. They lie about their opponents while doing in spades what they accuse their opponents of doing. The Biblical mandate is to first remove the LOG from your own eye so you will be able to actually see clearly enough to remove the SPECK from the other person's eye. You need to research and multi-source what a politician believes - you have to look at what is said before different audiences, just as many big-name ministers people swear by reveal their true beliefs when interviewed by secular media. Much of the denial of basic truths in these venues is staggering, but most of their followers never bother to check and see before sending money or otherwise supporting wolves in sheep's clothing.

In the church, few Christians spend much time in the scriptures or being Bereans to evaluate what they hear from their own Pastor, from the radio or TV, or from people looking for their votes. I hear pastors who claim to follow the scriptures migrate into their own thoughts that totally contradict what they just said. Few actually research the people they sit at the feet of to see what they really say, write, or testify to. They think if THEY did not hear it themselves, the person never said it. NOTHING could be further from the truth. Authors with massive audiences, such as John Eldredge, Max Lucado, and a host of others, do violence to some of the most basic tenets of scripture, expressly contradicting its crystal clear teachings.  People "ooh" and "aah" and blindly accept things that weaken faith, not strengthen it. Paul balled out the Galatians and the Corinthians for being so easily deceived. In Corinth, they tolerated sexual immorality. In the church today, according to polls, most Christian couples come to their weddings having lived together or engaged in premarital sexual relations. Hardly an eyebrow is raised. When is the last time you heard a message about sexual purity? Sure is a lot about that in the Bible. I hear Christian men use foul language and be upset with you if you call them out on it. I hear appalling hate and slander toward political leaders Christians do not like, rather than offering the prayers God wants for them as prescribed in scripture. Many leaders do not want to preach the harder teachings of Christ, trying to be a big tent and perhaps attracting a lot more people. However, God wants a pure bride, and one with a character conformed to Christ. The prophets were stoned and killed for telling the truth, and if the New York Times says that if you go to church, this is the pastor to follow, BEWARE. If the world loves you, you are likely very compromised. If the world hates you, remember they also hated Christ.   Avoiding deception is not easy - we are constantly assaulted, but make it your business to hear the voice of God for yourself and to study to show yourself as worker not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.