The Spirit of Deception in the Church
I must confess that I have been deeply saddened these past two weeks since the Supreme Court decision.
I realize some may think that I’m making too much of it—because certainly America isn’t the only country in the world to legalize gay marriage … we aren’t leading the world with that decision.
What saddens me so much isn’t the decision itself. With the direction America has moved the past 50 years it was inevitable that this decision would be made eventually.
No, it’s the division of the church that has at times left me in tears.
Fifty 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.
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 (I am planning to write about that very thing next week).
And over the past two weeks I have listened to countless sermons, read countless articles, followed Facebook discussions on this issue and 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 clean in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established” (Prov. 16:1-3).
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 16:25).
“The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tries the hearts” (Prov. 17:3).
“A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart” (Prov. 18:2).
“The foolishness of man perverts his way, and his heart frets against the Lord” (Prov. 19:3).
“There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the counsel of the Lord will stand” (Prov. 19:21).
“Who can say, ‘I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin’?” (Prov. 20:9).
“Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?” (Prov. 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 My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord” (Is. 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, in evangelical/charismatic circles witchcraft has begun to be practiced!) … from expecting that couples will practice fornication to accepting the homosexual into the body.
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 Proverbs is so important for us today.
Look at this:
“How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver!” (Prov. 16:16).
“The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips” (Prov. 16:23).
“The heart of the prudent gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (Prov. 18:15).
“He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will find good” (Prov. 19:8).
“Hear counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days” (Prov. 19:20).
“The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the heart” (Prov. 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?
Rosilind Jukic, a Pacific Northwest native, is a missionary living in Croatia and married to her Bosnian hero. Together they live in the country with their two active boys where she enjoys fruity candles, good coffee and a hot cup of herbal tea on a blustery fall evening. Her passion for writing led her to author her best-selling book. At A Little R & R she encourages women to find contentment in what God created them to be. You can also find her at Missional Call where she shares her passion for local and global missions. She can also be found at on a regular basis. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google +.
