Contending for the faith and learning how to spot a fake
What is the biggest lie ever told and that continues to successfully deceive humanity? The answer is: Did God really say that?
Satan, centuries ago, deceived Eve and Adam with this question (Gen. 3:4-5). He also tried it on Jesus during his time of temptation, but it did not work (Mark 1:9-13). Jesus came back at the devil and basically said, "No! That is not what my Father intended. That is not what the scripture means so stop trying to twist it and use it against me so that I can serve you." (Emphasis, mine) Satan’s plan is to use the very thing that cleanses us with (John 15:3) to pollute us.
God has been really dealing with me on how to spot a fake and this is what He shared with me and I want to share it with you.
Satan knows the Word and he tries to twist it in such a way that transforms what God said into a lie. He mixes the truth with error. Truth mixed with a lie is still a lie. We can only truly detect this if we know God’s Word and how to correctly apply it to our lives. One way to do this is to put what is proposed as truth to the test (no matter whose mouth it comes out of, even this post needs to be checked). If what is being said about God’s Word entices us to yield to one of satan’s tricks (he only has three that he uses over and over again…he never comes with anything new. It’s the same trick wrapped in a different package), which is the presentation of the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16) - we must reject it and seek out the truth regarding what God really has to say about the matter. For example, one trick that has prevailed for a number of years in the church is the prosperity gospel (this trick is comprised of all 3 of his bag of tricks). However, this trick is now being cast down by God’s people because they are beginning to see that what was promised (by our leaders) is not really so. It only holds true for those who promote it (because they are making merchandise of the saints).
In response to the economic conditions – a type of famine that I believe God is using as part of His plan to get us to focus and bring us back to the truth of why we are here – the body is waking up out of slumber. We are beginning to understand our purpose all over again: that we are just passing through trying to snatch as many souls from satan’s grip as possible. Our mission or assignment is to water and plant the truth to the lost, believing that God will give the increase. What we need for the assignment will and has already been provided for us whether or not we see it. Whatever we need in this life to sustain us, God promised to give to us because we are seeking first his righteousness and Kingdom. Therefore any other excessive desire for what is already promised is error and any teachings associated with it, a fake.
That is what the prosperity gospel is all about: an excessive longing and greed influenced by an unholy and selfish desire for what God has already promised. God’s people are now studying and soon the body will no longer be tricked with the doctrine of health and wealth. But saints... something else is coming and we have to be armed with truth to withstand it. It is my earnest prayer that each and every one of us in the body will be deeply rooted in the Word so that it will be easy to quickly spot a fake.
Be blessed,
Sonia Kong
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