SYMPTOMS OF A CHURCH IN DECEPTION

You know when you are dealing with a church where, as the Bible says, the pastor cleverly teaches destructive heresies, because the members happily put up with whatever the pastor tells them, even if he preaches a different Jesus, or a different kind of Spirit than the one they received, or a different kind of gospel than the one they believed!  (See 2. Peter 2:1, 2. Corinthians 11:4)

The church members do not follow the example of the believers of Berea in the book of Acts, who were open-minded and searched the Scriptures day after day to see if what the apostles were teaching was indeed the truth. (See Acts 17:11)

It is for this reason that the Bible says that, “Evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.” 2. Timothy 3:13 NLT

THE REAL DEAL | Edwin Christiaan

The Bible says that when a great wave of persecution began sweeping over the first church, many of the believers were dragged out of their homes and thrown into prison and others were scattered throughout the regions. But despite the persecution, they continued to preach the Good News about Jesus Christ wherever they went! (See Acts 8:1-4)

That tells me, that these Christians were the real deal, and not those Jesus referred to as ‘those who hear the Gospel and immediately receive it with joy, but then fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word!’ (See Mark 4:16-17)

PIGS WILL TURN ON YOU AND ATTACK YOU! By Edwin Christiaan @edchristiaan

Jesus said: “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.” Matthew 7:6 NLT

Pigs here are representative of those who would ridicule, reject, and blaspheme the gospel once it has been given to them. We are not to give the gospel of Jesus Christ to someone, who has no other purpose than to trample it and return to his own evil ways. We identify such people through discernment, as indicated in 1. Corinthians 2:15 NLT: ^“Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things!”

This does not mean that we refrain from preaching the gospel, but if anyone refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, let him or her go, and as the Bible says; shake the dust from your feet as you leave! (See Matthew 10:14)

The gospel is not for those who mock and trample it, and then turn on you and abuse you!