Be Wise in an Age of Deception
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I must confess that I am deeply concerned about the direction culture is headed all around the world.
Even more so, I’m saddened by the division of the church, so much so that has at times left me in tears.
50 years ago the church would have been united around the truth of what God’s Word says about homosexuality and the eternal destination of those who both practice and identify with that lifestyle.
But times have changed and now many are not so sure that what they have been taught all their lives is true for today.
As if God’s Word morphs with changing culture.
And now we’ve come to the point where the church is divided over this issue.
Be Wise in an Age of Deception
There are those who want us to just love and stop there. Not call them sinners nor hate the sin.
There are pastors who have embraced the LGBT community into their churches with membership and full benefits: including marriage, child dedication, serving, and leading in ministry.
They actually call them LGBT Christians – a misnomer according to the Bible.
You cannot be a Christian and practice, or identify yourself with, that which will prevent you from inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven!
Then there are those, like me, who believe that we can love the sinner – yes, the sinner – and hate their sin.
Even warn them of that sin in such a way that is loving and able to be received.
Over the past few years, I have listened to countless sermons, read countless articles, and followed Facebook discussions on this issue.
I’ve researched many Christian leaders’ stand on this issue because for me their stand is of utmost importance to me.
And what I’ve read and heard a lot is: “My heart says….”, “I feel that…..”, “In my heart I sense that….”
And then this week for Good Morning Girls we read Proverbs 16-20. I do not believe it is a coincidence that in these chapters we find several verses that deal with the heart.
Are you ready? Here we go:
“The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:1-3
“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” 16:25
“The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts.” 17:3
“A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.” 18:2
“The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD.” 19:3
“There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.” 19:21
“Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin”? 20:9
“A man’s steps are of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way?” 20:24
Can you not see how dangerous it is to follow your heart, your own thoughts, feelings and ways? Our heart and thoughts are completely opposite to the Lords!
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8
This is why we must fill our heart and mind with God’s Word! Because while our thoughts and ways are opposite to the Lord’s, we can direct them so that they are in agreement with His Word!
And my dear sister, this is more important now than ever!
A great deception has filled the church!!
From mysticism to witchcraft (yes, even in Evangelical/Charismatic circles witchcraft is being practiced) …. from expecting that couples will practice fornication to accepting the homosexual into the church.
Many think that it is more important to God that we love Him and desire to follow Him, than what we actually do.
And yet, if we love Him and desire to follow Him we will keep His commands and not violate them…and not trample them under the feet of worldly philosophy!
This is why the Proverbs are so important to us today.
Look at this:
“How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” 16:16
“Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.” 16:23
“The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” 18:15
“He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.” 19:8
“Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.” 19:20
“The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.” 20:27
God always saves a remnant for Himself: people who have a passionate heart for Him and His Word. While others wander and fall into deception, they stand firm on the Word of truth because they have filled their hearts with the wisdom therein!
Will you be part of the remnant, or will you join those those who follow their own hearts?
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Rosilind, keep up the writing, it is encouraging to know there those who continue to speak in truth. Hopefully you will find it encouraging that our pastor is one who will not let culture dictate our beliefs but that he will continue to teach the truths of the bible. You are doing the right thing, we can’t be silent.
That IS encouraging!! Thank you!
Hello, I must say AMEN as we are seeing so many lies and deception in the church and it is just being accepted and the gospel is being watered down! Thanks for speaking the truth! Please email me with your home page address as when you moved your blog address it would not loan up on my sidebar! Thanks, Roxy
Dear Rosalind,
You have stated the issue clearly. Feelings cannot be the source of truth. I, too, am concerned about the church and praying for revival.
Blessings!
You might like the Facebook page, Women Speak for Themselves. The group began in protest to HHS mandates for contraceptives that actually are abortive. They are now focused on religious freedom and speaking up with truth.
I will search for it. Thank you! And yes – we must pray for revival!!
Excellent verses. God’s Word is true, and those who prefer their own “wisdom” or “feelings” deceive themselves. The heart is deceitfully wicked. Linked up with you at Grace & Truth — hope you’ll stop by Saved by Grace for a visit!
God bless,
Laurie
Thank you for your encouragement, Laurie! Yes – those who follow their own wisdom and feelings are walking in deception!!
Dear Rosilind,
You obviously have a heart for God’s truth. I understand exactly how you feel. There is all this false teaching that’s going on in the Church… I am so sad at the state of the church. There is a remnant that will only accept God’s word and I thank God that I am part of that remnant. And I pray that I continue . I have been researching what other christians are saying about this abomination. One Pastor said he is not worried about it because the Constitution is protecting him. You see, I have a problem with that, because this is not about him. It is about God Almighty. People are being lied to and being led to the slaughter. Someone has to stand for righteousness. And the problem is the church has been quiet for too long. It’s like we have embraced sin. Thank you for standing up for righteousness. Matthew 7 :21 -23 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Oh Trish, yes I do. I have such a passion for truth. And I am grieved by what I see going on.
I have a problem with what that pastor said, too, because first of all one Supreme Court Justice (and one former one) both said that the decision wont protect pastors. But it’s not about that, in the end. the decision is only a reflection of how weak the church’s influence is in the world today!
This is a good word, Rosalind. I am so troubled by so many believers who don’t believe the bible, the WHOLE bible, is the inerrant word of God.
I do too!! It is a very dangerous ground to start treading on.
My friends, members of the church are falling apart and failing to completely stand on the word of God. It is in this time that we realize which friends believe the authority of Scripture and which don t, and for a lot of us that s heartbreaking.
You are so right about that. It is truly heartbreaking!