Deception!

It’s virtually Christmas and we should take note that In Matthew 2:1-18 there’s an incident of religious deception that many are not aware of.

Some honourable wise men had brought news of a new king’s birth and that they wanted to worship him. And Jerusalem’s King Herod became disturbed, indeed terrified.

History tells that Herod desired favour with people and things his way. He had even publicly identified himself as religious, claiming conversion to Judaism. Josephus, the Romano-Jewish historian, writes revealingly about him; Modern scholars agree that he suffered throughout his lifetime from paranoia and depression.

Now Herod endeavours to deceive, even sounding spiritual to these magi. Having conversed with local religious leaders about messianic scripture predictions, he arranges a secret meeting with the magi.

The Message Bible reports: ‘Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared.  Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, "Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I'll join you at once in your worship".’ 

But this self-agenda king had no intention of fulfilling his word. Verse 16 says, ‘When Herod realised (later) that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem…’ 

Dangerous deception
Deception, such as Herod intended, is the state of being misled by false representation, tricks or illusions or fraud. MacMillan Dictionary lists it as the act of tricking someone by telling him or her something that is not true.

Jesus himself warned against being deceived, especially in the end times.

In Matthew 24: 24, he said clearly that false Christs and false prophets would appear demonstrating signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect - God’s people. 

The Message Bible puts it this way: ‘Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better.’

Paul too,  acknowledging the Holy Spirit’s concern, warned about deception in the end times: ‘The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars’  (1 Tim 4:1).

In 2 Tim. 3:13 he wrote, ‘Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They're as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse.’ 

A current need to be on guard
To some the Message Bible may sound quite strong here but there is a need today for pastors and indeed every Christian to speak out strongly against religious and satanic trickery. We’ve been hearing recently of a few people deceived by smooth talkers who appear to be knowledgeable about scripture.

A good friend emailed  recently regarding last month's  blog about gullible Christians falling for deceiving, seemingly religious so-called ‘prophets’ - one that I  had thought I’d worded rather strongly: ‘Robert and Maureen …never hesitate to spell it out or apologise for doing so. A lot of Christians are being so subtly deceived today. We’ve been trying to help such people but just can’t get through. They’re deceived and, worse still, they now sounding so spiritual, saying, “Oh, the Spirit told me. I know I’m right.”’ 

Then an astute pastor friend emailed pointing out a concern that many preachers don’t spell things out clearly. That they merely make suggestions but do not give clear directions or examples to their people.

And even more recently, Cheng, a friend that we had helped lead to the Lord phoned enquiring about someone who engaged him while shopping. This new contact became very friendly, seemed so interested that Cheng was a new Christian and offered to explain scripture for him. At first he seemed so spiritual but then expressed that Cheng shouldn’t accept certain things his church had taught and subtly suggested he leave that denomination, a good biblical church that we had gone out of our way to establish him in. 

Now because our friend is newly arrived from Asia and hasn’t got a full grip on English or ‘Aussieisms’ yet, he was feeling a little unsure of this glib speaker’s approach. 

But at least, new Christian that he is, Cheng is aware of the Spirit’s inner leading and followed through on the warning he was sensing. He felt within that something wasn’t right and was wisely seeking clear guidance from his pastoral friend whom he knew that he could fully trust.

Willingly Cheng accepted our explanations regarding what I was sensing about this Matthew 7:15 ‘ferocious wolf in sheep‘s clothing’ type that Jesus warned about: ‘Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practised sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character.’

It was a case of what Paul in 1 Timothy 4:1 calls a deceiving spirit, what the old KJV called a seducing spirit. Cheng immediately said he’d have nothing further to do with this person with his hidden agenda. 

Delusion
To delude someone is ‘to mislead his or her mind, to deceive.’ Delusion relates to false beliefs and opinions. This is what enemies of genuine Christianity seek to do – and they’re usually mixed up themselves.

Evidently Herod had been a bit like this. When the magi had shared their good news about the new king, he wanted things his way, to keep his own kingship secure. So he sought, sounding so religious and worshipful to deceive the wise men. But they weren’t deluded. 

Christians, who are experienced in their relationship with the Holy Spirit, are well-versed in scripture and know the heart of God, and can recognise deception and delusion have a responsibility to guard others from such misleading religious trickery of mind. Freeing people such as our friend Cheng from those seeking to have their own way by deluding them with their beliefs is essential.

 

Proverbs 22:12 says that ‘God guards knowledge with a passion, but he'll have nothing to do with deception.’ When we hear of God’s word being twisted, misread, misinterpreted, and ‘works programs’ being pushed before God’s grace, let’s quickly reach out with godly passion to help those in danger of being deceived and deluded.

Giftedness and Guileness

Recently a friend was talking about his ministry in the worship team. A professional highly skilled musician, he delights to please God when playing at church services. 

He’s aware that his music knowledge, flowing with the team and his beautiful playing will bless church attendees and set the platform for speakers at each service. But his priority is that his musical skill and anointed God-given giftedness will firstly honour and please his Lord. His greatest desire is that God alone gets the glory.

Very quietly, and meaningfully, he shared this: ‘God spoke to my heart and reminded me how precious this gift is. That ownership is his, not mine, that I must never abuse it in any way. I’m aware my playing touches peoples’ hearts and souls but I would never exploit this God-given ministry gift.’

Our hearts were touched by his insight and wisdom in accepting God’s direction. It was obvious he knew that what is from God, is God’s alone and should be dedicated to him.

God is a giver
God is the giver of good gifts to his children (Matt. 7:11). Salvation through Christ’s finished Calvary work is, of course, the greatest gift anyone can accept. 

But God also delights to generously give us many gifts to enjoy as we journey through life. A good local church is one such gift, where we can be encouraged, cared for, prayed for, and blessed.

And if led to serve in that local church and allow a ministry to develop, God desires to provide giftedness equal to that ministry. Many have natural gifts from birth that develop in growing into adulthood. Then there are other skills we pick up as time goes by.

But no matter how our talent comes about, if we want to ensure God is honoured in our ministry, we’ll desire the Holy Spirit’s rich anointing on whatever gift we have. Then their usage will bless others and please God. We will also guard that giftedness and use it primarily for his glory. 

If it so happens we receive some blessing in the process, financial or a gift, such as a ministerial stipend or ministry support gift, this is acceptable. But an incident of finance-over-giftedness shared with me recently is unsettling. A little background…

Gullible Christians
It’s an oft-quoted comment that Christians without balanced Bible knowledge, who don’t understand scripture and don’t look to sound leadership, are gullible. They fall for new scams and wrong doctrines that come along. 

Even this year certain ‘so-called Bible teachers’ and ‘big name prophets’ predicted with seeming absolute certainty that Australia will soon be finished, that the world would end earlier this year. The latest ‘prophecy’ is that Jesus will return in 2017!

Erroneous date-quoting about the end of the world and Christ’s return we can handle when we recall Jesus himself said that no one knows, only the Father (Mark 13:32. See also our January blog The Real The End?)

It’s other deceitful things creeping into churches and befuddling Christians who don’t know their Bibles, getting them spiritually conned, that concern me. Especially where unwise ministers aren’t protecting their people, particularly their young people!

Unwise wandering
Recently one minister shared this with me. He’d discovered that some of his young people had gone to ‘another church’ to hear a ‘great visiting overseas prophet who spoke seemingly accurate prophecies.’

To his horror he learned this ‘prophet’ was demanding money from Christians for prophetic words. Because his giftedness was a blessing he would demand finance and was obtaining email addresses. Then he emailed unsuspecting, gullible followers who yearned to hear his ‘gift from God’ and tell them to stand in the prayer line and give him $200 for a prophecy!

This is nothing new – abusing spiritual giftedness, wrong teachings and deceptions re-arise every so often. And some people never learn. So many Christians over many years have wandered around different churches and after ministries to hear prophetic words that will tickle their ears. They’ve been called ‘spiritual gypsies.’

We’re glad to write that even though they’re young in their faith, this minister’s youth knew instantly that something wasn’t right and refused to go back. They chose to be spiritual mini-shepherds and warned friends.

Warnings
Pastors are called to be guardians of their flocks. Paul’s 2 Timothy 4:2-4 end days warning to young Timothy regarding people who would run around needs to be noted by every churchgoer, not just ministers: ‘Proclaim the message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple. You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food - catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages.’

Jesus warned: ‘False prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect’ (Mat. 24:24).

Yes, we should expect the supernatural in our churches. In fact Jesus commanded his first disciples to ‘Heal those who are sick. Bring those who are dead back to life. Make those who have skin diseases “clean” again. Drive out demons’ (Matt. 10:8).

But he carefully warned (v9), ‘You have received freely, so give freely’ and then made it clear that such Spirit-filled ministries are to be carefree regarding finance: ‘Don't think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light.’ 

Biblical principles
• Church shepherds need to wisely guard their flock, especially their unsuspecting young people. Christians need to know what scripture teaches

• Even if prophecies appear accurate, the character of the ministry may be open to question.  In ministry, finance is not the name of the game

• Pleasing God must be foremost, followed by blessing his people

• Elisha was a prophet who refused to accept finance to move in the miraculous (2 Kings 5:16). God was not pleased with Elisha’s servant who sneaked away and lied to get such rewards (v27)

Elisha’s challenge to Gehazi is very relevant to everyone: ‘Tell me, is this a time to look after yourself, lining your pockets with gifts?’ This prophet – and God – considered finance-hunting an abuse.

One’s attitude should be like our friend’s awareness of his musical gift. We should want to ‘freely give’ as we’ve received and ensure that God alone is glorified. That we are so careful how we handle our God-given giftedness.  
 

Seasons

Solomon, regarded as the wisest of all people, put it so well when he wrote about seasons in Ecclesiastes 3:1 ‘For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.’

 

Then, in following verses, he lists many things that have a season in God’s timing. The word season indicates ‘a fixed time or an appointment’ and the Message Bible puts verse one this way: ‘There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time…’

Opportune times?
Feeling that God has been endeavouring to speak to your heart regarding an opportune time - about moving into something new that you’re not quite clear on? You’re not alone!

As we’ve ministered in different churches this year we’ve casually mentioned that something was in the air, that the Lord was seeking to do something new with those with open hearts and were willing to move on. That it was difficult to put a finger on it all, but that things would become clearer toward year-end. That it is all a matter of trusting God and being open to whatever he had destined for us

Some listeners agreed, saying ‘I’ve been feeling that in my heart.’ Others, over cautious, remained content with the status quo. But we’ve heard of many moving willingly into positions of responsibility as God has provided opportunity to serve him more deeply.

And recently we’ve heard of those in ministry who’ve been aware that God is opening new doors for them and have willingly accepted the challenge to move on, even resigning from secure positions, yet not knowing exactly how everything is going to work out.

It speaks of steps of faith, trust and an awareness of God’s timing. 

Trusting God in everything
There are indeed times when the Lord calls us to move on into new areas…career, locale and ministry. 

But we need to know that we’ve really heard from him. I’ve had unsure Christians say, ‘Dr Robert, you move in the prophetic…I think I’m meant to move on to (somewhere). Tell me that I’m right.’ I immediately ask if they have really sought the mind of God and the usual answer is ‘No.’ So I challenge them to seek the Lord, not me! 

We can’t afford to stab in the dark if we claim to have committed ourselves to him. ‘Season’ refers to an appointed occasion – not a willy-nilly, shot-in-the-dark, hope-it-works-out possibility.

Solomon, in Proverbs 3:5-7 wisely advises: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.’ 

This means what it says… he will direct us in everything - if we commit all, everything, to him in faith and trust!  The Message Bible puts it this way: ‘Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all.’

 

Verse 23 gives comforting assurance: ‘You’ll walk safely, and your foot will not stumble.’ That’s good news indeed! If we are willing to acknowledge God in absolutely everything, he will clearly lead us. 

At times we won’t get immediate step-by-step directions … the dedicated Christian life is lived on a daily step-by-step basis. But virtually every day will present some opportunity to commit to God something simple or something involved and discover his leading.

Examples
Over many years we’ve proven God in respect of his fatherly concern to lead us aright in every aspect of life…career, health, finance, schooling and careers for the kids, counselling troubled people, encouraging pressured ministers, homes and cars, little things, huge matters, new ministry and more.

A simple practical example: Recently we went to our favourite restaurant for lunch and found the background music was unusually extremely loud. I went to find the manager to have it turned down. But even as I approached him, he was already doing this.

Returning to Maureen, she said that she had claimed the scripture above: ‘God is concerned with everything to do with us and I simply committed the noise to him, requesting that he move the manager act. Robert, you didn’t even have to move, oh ye of little faith!’

A more serious example: Some years ago, it became obvious that the Holy Spirit was speaking to our hearts to move on into new areas of ministry. This meant, what seemed to others, to be taking a chance, a huge step with no guarantees, no financial or specific local church support, no new church or ministry to go to. But late one Monday night before each other and before the Lord, we agreed to do so, committing to a resolute decision to trust God completely and to dare to take a faith step into the unknown. 

I typed up a resignation letter regarding our then current ministry. Admittedly for a few moments we wondered about our future. But we had sensed deep in our hearts that God had spoken to us and as we know his voice and leadings from decades of experience, we knew it was the right thing to do. We also knew that often we have to make a move to allow God to make his. So we relaxed and enjoyed a good nights’ sleep.

The very next morning the phone rang, not at the business hour of nine but much earlier, and a voice enquired: ’Dr Robert? Where have you been all these years? We’ve been searching for you…can you come next Sunday and minister for us?’ It was the beginning of our new season!

Move and see God confirm
An out-of-the-blue God-confirmation from  his fatherly heart! His way of letting us know we were on track as we committed our future to him and trusted him completely to direct our path. 

For us, it was the commencement of a broad itinerant ministry of moving around many churches of different denominations and blessing many with inspiring clear teaching from God’s word as well as moving encouragingly in the Holy Spirit’s supernatural.

Still sensing that something is stirring within? Search your heart in case it’s just some inner dissatisfaction that needs to be dealt with. If you really know that the Holy Spirit is leading, keep searching God, read his word, be open when visiting ministries speak at your church, talk with your pastor, if married talk with your spouse (a priority!) and - without seeking out ‘some prophet’ - be open to prophetic words that are spoken over you in your local church. 

Don’t miss whatever it is that God wants of you as we move toward and into a new year. Jesus warned in Luke 12:56-57 (Mge), ‘You know how to tell a change in the weather, so don’t tell me you can’t tell a change in the season of God, the God-season we’re in right now. You don’t have to be a genius to understand these things. Just use your common sense...’