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

MURDER PLOT AGAINST OUR PRESIDENT? AND SO WHAT?

At one point in Jerusalem, there was a plot by a group of Jews to assassinate the apostle Paul. They bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul (see Acts 23:12-22). 

But it was God’s ultimate intention for Paul to go to Rome and stand trial and not to be killed. That is why God sent an angel when Paul was going through a major storm at sea on his way to Rome, to tell him,

“Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar!” Acts 27:24 NLT

In other words, these Jews could not kill Paul simply because God, who is the author of life and death, did not allow it – pure and simple (see Luke 12:5)!

Now there are some preachers like Rodney Howard-Browne going around saying that there is a credible plot on Capitol Hill to have president Donald Trump assassinated and that we must pray for it not to happen. Really? Did God say that? What’s going on here?  

Relax, you people! The Bible clearly says that, “God controls the course of world events; He removes kings and sets up other kings!” Daniel 2:21 NLT

God brought Donald Trump into the office of the presidency to give America a last chance on redemption! It is no wonder that he is receiving death threats. Nothing strange or new!

I remember that during former president Barack Obama’s reign, several well-known Christian prophets predicted with great certainty that Obama was going to be killed and yet it never happened! Why? Because God did not allow it!

Therefore, it is God who is in control of president Donald Trump or anybody else for that matter! Nothing will happen to him unless He allows it!

Here is what the Lord says about Donald Trump: “I saw you before you were born. Every day of your life was recorded in My book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (Taken from Psalm 139:16)

FEARING BEING LONELY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

Being alone can sting a lot, the deep burning pain in your chest when you wake up that never seems to go away. The struggle whether this is the will of God or not for you to be alone for the rest of your life or maybe one day to get married?

The traditional society says, ‘Unless you have a spouse and a family, you can’t possibly be a legitimate person.’ While the modern society says, ‘Unless you have sex and romance and love, you can’t possibly be fulfilled.’

But Christians know that God has a purpose for their lives, whether to be in marriage or to stay single as the apostle Paul taught;

“But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another.” 1. Corinthians 7:7 NLT

That is why not being married for a Christian believer does not mean something is missing. On the contrary, the Bible says that;

“An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please Him.”

And;

“In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit.” 1. Corinthians 7:32+34 NLT

WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE?

Countless of times I have heard people, especially Christians, telling me when addressing sinful actions of believers, “Who are you to judge?”

Jesus’ command, “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged” (Matthew 7:1 NLT) could be the most quoted of His sayings and yet so often taken out of context. Many people use this verse in an attempt to silence their critics, interpreting Jesus’ words to mean, “You don’t have the right to tell me I’m wrong.” Christians are often accused of “judging” when they speak out against sin.

The Bible’s command that we “not judge others” doesn’t mean we cannot show discernment. Immediately after Jesus said, “Do not judge others,” He said, “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs!” Matthew 7:6 NLT

Later in the same sermon Jesus says, “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.  You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act.” Matthew 7:15-16 NLT

So, how are we supposed to discern those who are “unholy,” “pigs,” and “false prophets” unless we have the ability to make a judgment call on doctrines and actions? Jesus is giving us permission to tell right from wrong.

That’s why He said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24 NKJV

In other words, there IS a correct usage of judgment which is based on Biblical doctrines and actions of a person.

Now we also understand why the apostle Paul told the Corinthian Church that it is their responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning!

“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.” 1. Corinthians 5:12 NLT

Therefore, when Jesus said not to judge others, He did not mean that no one is allowed to identify sin for what it is based on God’s definition of sin found in His Word, the Bible!