Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: DISGUISE (08/12/21)
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TITLE: Wolves In Sheep's Clothing | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
08/18/21 -
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Jesus warned that false prophets (people who would claim to be speaking for God) would be found within the Christian Community. This group of false prophets are not the same type of false prophets as the ones who promote other gods or other religions (Psalms 96: 5).
These "wolves" disguise themselves by wearing sheep's clothing (Matt. 7: 15), giving them the appearance of one who represents the God of the Bible.
With rare exceptions (e.g. Matt. 4: 3), the devil seldom reveals his identity. Nor does he disclose his ultimate objectives.
He and his Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil almost always use third parties to approach and to deceive their intended targets. Once deceived, religious people, and especially religious leadership within the Christian Community, unwittingly become powerful tools in the hands of the devil (Matt. 15: 14).
The devil and his Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil will use bait that they know would be of interest to their intended targets.
Worldly-minded people are baited with the things that this world has to offer.It matters not, if these things are good or evil, as long as they can take the intended targets out of the plan of God.
Weak believers, lacking the ability to distinguish the difference between Man-made religion and accurate Bible Doctrine, are baited by being presented with counterfeit teachings of the Word of God.
Note, that in the Matt. 4 discourse, both Satan and the Lord Jesus Christ used the phrase "it is written," and that the devil accurately quoted selected Scripture.
When one selects verses of Scripture that support his argument, but disregards others, the Bible can be made to appear to say or mean just about anything that that an accomplished debator desires to comunicate.
Especially in the presence of an audience whose knowledge of Sicripture is limited, the devil will use debating Christians to generate confusion.
Scripture (2Cor. 11: 14, 15) teaches that the devil and his demons have the ability to disguise themselves as angels (messengers) with divine authority. In truth, they promote evil and destructive doctrines (1Tim. 4: 1) and accompanying practices.
During the Old Testament dispensation, promoting oneself as a prophet (spokesperson for God) was a risky business. By making ONE wrong "prediction," the false prophet could end up facing capital punishment. Here in the Church Age, pulpit accountability remains to be a serious matter (James 3: 1).
Church Age pastor-teachers (ordained spokesmen for God) study and teach the Bible. Nothing more (Proverbs 30: 6)!
What makes each pastor-teacher a true or false prophet (spokesperson) is the amount and accuracy of the teachings and accompanying practices they promote.
Like the ancient Pharisees, most of the false prophets here in the Church Age are well-behaved, sincere, very "religious" human beings, with a history of doing good deeds.
But after having been deceived, they unwittingly become promoters of false doctrine and accompanying practices (Matt.15: 14).
Religious clothing can become part the disguise (sheep's clothing) spoken of in Matt. 7: 14.
Just as one would likely assume that a uniformed policeman would know the law, many people assume that people clothed in religious attire would properly represent God in word and actions.
Comparing what comes from any pulpit with what can be Biblically substantiated cuts to the chase, removing all forms of disguise.
Pastors and laypersons alike are ALL a work in progress. That means that we ALL have areas of strength and weakness.
Biblically qualified and ordained pastor-teachers are called to study and teach the Word of God (2Tim. 2: 15), but that does not make them, or anyone else, infallible. A pastor's worst nightmare is to discover he had gotten a principal of doctrine wrong and passed it along.
By the words we speak and the things we do, we are ALL promoters of one kingdom (Matt. 6: 10) or the other (Luke 4: 6).
To the extent that our weaknesses lead us to embrace false teachings and practices, we inevitably influence others to do the same.
Therefore the first potentially false prophet (spokesperson) that we need to deal with is the one we see in the mirror.
We do this by removing all disguises, pretense, and coverings, and conduct frequent 2Cor. 13: 5 examinations, and then make the necessary, ongoing, adjustments.
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Therefore the first potentially false prophet (spokesperson) that we need to deal with is the one we see in the mirror.
Pastors and laypersons alike are ALL a work in progress. That means that we ALL have areas of strength and weakness.
For it reminded me to not be too judgmental while I am being discerning and to be sure I’m embracing God’s whole truth and not cherry picking my verses. Good job.