“The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” (Keyser Soze, a fictional character played by Kevin Spacey in the movie THE USUAL SUSPECTS)
But…Satan’s GREATEST accomplishment has been this:
Successfully convincing BELIEVERS and the CHURCH that he is nonexistent in their SERVICES, in their SERMONS, and in their DOCTRINES.
The Bible tells us that many IN THE FAITH will one day “depart from the faith”…and this will be caused by “deceiving spirits”, resulting in beliefs that are rooted in “doctrines of demons.”
1 Timothy 4:1 says, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons”.
Here is that same verse in the New American Standard Version:
“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons”.
And, here is the verse in the New Revised Standard Version:
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons”.
Here, we learn two things:
1. Some who have been IN THE FAITH will walk away from their beliefs, having been deceived by FALSE TEACHING.
2. The DOCTRINES which these people pursue will APPEAR to be TRUTH, yet these DOCTRINES will be inspired by DEMONS, not by God.
Today, many in the Church desire to protect their EXPERIENCE above their DOCTRINE.
But, as Paul would write to Timothy, the DOCTRINE we follow will lead us somewhere: it will lead us TO God or AWAY from God.
We can see in the passage of Scripture above that those who “depart from the faith” do so under DECEPTION. This provides for us INSIGHT…as we realize that those who follow these “deceiving spirits” do so without knowing that they are in error.
Now THAT is a scary TRUTH!
Paul, at the beginning of his letter to Timothy, would say:
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia--remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.” (1 Timothy 1:3-7 NKJV)
We see here that Paul is urging Timothy...from the outset...to protect his DOCTRINE. DOCTRINE is defined thusly:
1. Teaching, Instruction
2. a. Something that is taught
b. a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief (Dogma)
c. a principle of law established through past decisions
d. a statement of fundamental government policy especially in international relations,
e. a military principle or set of strategies
In 1 Timothy 6:3-12 (NKJV), Paul would then go on to say “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Paul is CLEAR regarding which DOCTRINES “some” have gotten involved with...as "some” have begun teaching that “godliness is a means of gain.” Paul explains to Timothy that “we brought nothing into this world”, and that we should be “content” with “food and clothing”. Then, Paul makes it VERY CLEAR, as he says “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare”, continuing on by saying that “some have strayed from the faith in greediness” by their pursuit of RICHES…even equating it to a spiritual SUICIDE ATTEMPT as they have “pierced themselves through with many arrows.”
Then…Paul makes it PERFECTLY CLEAR what he is instructing Timothy to do, as Paul writes:
“But you, O man of God, flee these things…”
Paul tells Timothy, in no uncertain terms, that Timothy MUST stay away from ANY and ALL doctrine which focuses on getting RICH, as those doctrines are in OPPOSITION to a GODLY PURSUIT, as Paul encouraged Timothy to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”
And then…notice how the next verse coincides with the definition of DOCTRINE which reads “A military principle or set of strategies”, as Paul states: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Paul is actually urging Timothy to CONTEND FOR THE FAITH, noting that to do so will require a FIGHT!
Paul knew that anyone who dares CONTEND FOR THE FAITH…anyone who DEFENDS THE FAITH…anyone who speaks against the POPULAR, EAR-TICKLING, GET RICH BY BEING A CHRISTIAN doctrines of the day would find themselves in a BATTLE for TRUTH!
Here lies the problem:
The Church has somehow erroneously believed that they were SO SPIRITUAL and so “full of the Holy Ghost” that the Devil would not DARE step foot in their church…much less in their PULPIT! And…Satan, in seeing the success of his deception, now sits back and LAUGHS at the DELUSION that many in the Church are now living under.
Many falsely believe that the life of a believer is supposed to be one of EASE and COMFORT. But, we find that Paul would write a SECOND letter to Timothy…and Paul would greatly dispute that erroneous belief by stating in 2 Timothy 1:1-10 (NKJV):
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
Paul is HONEST with Timothy, saying that he will have to “endure hardship.” Paul’s words then again reference that those who CONTEND FOR THE FAITH are “engaged in warfare.” We also learn here that Paul is now IMPRISONED, being labeled an “evildoer.”
You see, those who stand in OPPOSITION to FALSE DOCTRINE…those who will EARNESTLY defend the TRUTH of the Word of God…those who seek to PROTECT the people from DESTRUCTIVE DOCTRINES and HERESIES…those who DARE point out the ERROR which is being spoken from PULPITS in CHURCHES all across America and around the world…those WARRIORS for the TRUTH will be labeled EVILDOERS, as those who preach the “destructive heresies” (and those who follow them) aim their power (gained by their popular message) at anyone who DARES to speak out against them!
Oh…how the FALSE PROPHETS/FALSE TEACHERS love to sling their arrows at those who DARE to point out the DEMONIC INFLUENCE which is the impetus for their teachings!
If I had a dime for every time a person contacted me with words like “Ron, you should be careful! You know what the Bible says: touch not mine anointed!”…how rich I would be!
Hear me…and let me make this clear: The TRULY “anointed” of God would NEVER speak, preach, and teach such DEMONIC DOCTRINES…doctrines of RICHES, full of DECEPTION and SEDUCTION. So…I will PROUDLY and PLAINLY state: I do NOT fear speaking out against those who pervert the truth of God’s Word…but I DO fear knowing the truth and NOT speaking out!
So…having said that…let me now say this:
Satan has now entered the pulpits of churches across America and around the world…and we had ALL better be in prayer to God as we BEG and PLEAD for DISCERNMENT!
You DOUBT that statement??
Let me remind you of one ESSENTIAL truth which we discover in God’s Word: the FALSE PROPHET will play a HUGE role in the rise of the ANTICHRIST, as Revelation 13 even describes him as having the appearance of “a lamb” but with the voice “like a dragon.” Does this sound eerily similar to Matthew 7:15, which states (NKJV) "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”
Remember my quote from the beginning of this writing? I repeat it here: “The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.”
But...the most DANGEROUS trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the CHURCH that he did not inspire the DOCTRINES that many are hearing from their PULPITS!
There are no “harmless” doctrines when those doctrines are inspired by DEMONS, as Paul warned Timothy in his first letter to Timothy (as quoted earlier above)!
I mentioned this in one of my writings long ago, but I mention it again today: I remember watching a video years ago. This video was a documentary in which FORMER and PRESENT DAY Satanists and Witches were interviewed. The video was ASTOUNDING in its REVELATION! These people discussed the ORGANIZATION and UNITY found within their ranks. As they meet together regularly and faithfully, they actually PRAY for their success against the Church. They discussed their observations of the Church…how the Church is “lukewarm” and “blind” to the infiltration of Satan into their midst. After their time of WORSHIP and PRAYER to Satan, these people go to work on their plan…which is to INFILTRATE the Church. Of course, the revelation is not surprising: they successfully infiltrate the Church by APPEARING to be “good, honest Christians.” Their ORGANIZATION is amazing in its PLANNING! Each member of the COVEN is assigned a specific church to UNITE with. They are to “blend in”, as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”…yet, their PURPOSE is destruction. But…they accomplish their goal through DEDICATION and PATIENCE.
Each Satanist/Witch interviewed told of their “position” which they held in the Church. Here is a list of the positions held in the Church mentioned by Satanists/Witches in the video:
Choir Member
Children’s Church helper/teacher
Children’s Sunday School Teacher
Youth helper/teacher
Youth Pastor
Minister of Music
Staff Pastor
Senior Pastor
Surprised?!?
It is time that the Church realizes that Satan may not be OMNISCIENT (all-knowing, as God alone is)…but, over the course of thousands of years, Satan has LEARNED, and thus, he has PERFECTED his attacks on the Church and all things Godly!
There was a time (at least in my opinion, observations, and discernment) when Satan was more easily RECOGNIZED in his tactics. But, today, the DECEPTIVE nature of Satan’s attacks are amazingly UNRECOGNIZED by many in the Body of Christ.
In times past, it seemed the Church only had to DISCERN between OBVIOUS TRUTH and OBVIOUS LIE. Today…the Church is struggling to DISCERN between TRUTH and ALMOST TRUTH!
Today, Satan’s lies are presented in an AMAZING PACKAGE of “truth“…but, that “truth” is noted as Scripture…but Scripture taken OUT OF CONTEXT. You see…TRUTH can become a LIE if that “truth” is not placed within its proper boundaries…which is the FULL CONTEXT of the PASSAGE.
Let me put it this way:
What the Church needs to worry about is NOT the man who proclaims “Satan is Lord!”…but the Church needs to worry about the man who proclaims “Jesus is Lord!” while he is not PERSONALLY submitted to the Lord!
Here is what I KNOW:
A person cannot TRULY be serving Jesus while proclaiming “doctrines of demons.” But…neither will a man proclaiming “doctrines of demons” ever REVEAL to the Church that he is preaching under the inspiration of SATAN!
I wrote the other day about URGENCY. And this is what I KNOW…I AM SURE…that the Spirit of God revealed to me last Friday: if the PULPIT is preaching a TOMORROW gospel…then the PULPIT is not TODAY holy!
I have said this all before…and I say it again: God is NOT leading men to preach doctrines of RICHES and WEALTH which are based on BEING RICH and “planting financial seed” so that my TOMORROW will be lived in WEALTH and COMFORT! That false teaching is a TOMORROW gospel….and TOMORROW is never promised…nor may it even ever come! It will not matter if you plan to be saved TOMORROW if you die TODAY!
Any pulpit which continues to regularly focus on TOMORROW is a pulpit infiltrated by “doctrines of demons” and a pulpit led…and leading…by DECEPTION.
The battle for TRUTH is ESSENTIAL…and to fail to recognize Satan in the pulpit will result in a spiritual MASS SUICIDE by many churches. Therefore, I urge you…I IMPLORE you…I BEG you…to obey this passage from God’s Word:
1 John 4:1 NKJV “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
In Christ,
Ron
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