“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:13 KJV
Strife and division are nothing new to the church. The enemy has been using this tool/device to divide the church for years. When Apostle Paul was writing to the Corinthian church he warned them about false apostles or teachers. He told them to be vigilant about those who pretend to be sent by Christ. These false apostles did not attempt this trickery by wearing certain attire, but instead pretended to be of the same principles of true apostles who were sent by God like Apostle Paul. See these false apostles bring untruths, we’re not sent by God, don’t love the people but only care about making a name for themselves or making money off the church.
Apostle Paul warned them because a new church (I am not just referring to a new building, but a new church with regards to new converts or those who have just recently gave their heart to the lord) are impressionable and and usually have a receptive and open spirit because they are hungry for learning God’s word. When a spirit is open and impressionable the worse thing you can do is feed it the misinformation, lies and/or teach them wrong. This situation has the ability to do so much damage.
“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
2 Corinthians 11:14 KJV
The enemy operates in different roles just as God does or is able to. He can come as a roaring lion or in this case in the scripture as the appearance of being an angel of light.
The devil has been using the same old tricks for so many years, he just re-packages them in different wrapping paper. The enemy has a way of wrapping up a lie or deceit in a very small and very thin layer of truth so that it shines just enough for you to entertain it. He places just enough shine/sparkle on the lie/deception for you to engage, participate and invest some time in it. Then when you unwrap or peel back the very shiny but thin layers of “truth” what you find you have is complete and total deception. What you find is a complete lie.
See the worst part is you spend so much time unpacking the lie that by the time you realize it’s a lie, you have wasted so much time. The more time you waste on distractions/deceit the less time you have to know, understand and spend time with God. The less time you spend with God the less time you have to operate in the truth which means the less time you have to strengthen and solidify your relationship with God.
See if the enemy can keep you distracted for a long enough time then you will begin going down the wrong path and he has accomplished what he has set out to do, take you away from God. He has ultimately done his job. You must recognize and understand there are only two paths in this life. One path which leads to heaven and an eternal life spent with God. And the other path which leads to hell or eternal damnation. What you do every single day in your daily routine in life either moves you up the right path which draws you closer to God or leads you down the wrong path which draws you closer to eternal damnation.
Don’t let the enemy get you SO FAR down the wrong path that it feels impossible for you to turn around and get back on the right path. We can’t be ignorant to the enemy’s devices; we have to know when the enemy is at work. The purpose of the devil lining his lie/deception with a very think layer of truth is to get you to believe your wrong action, wrong decision and/or wrong situation is simply a minor set back and is no big deal. He desires you to defend your wrong doing. He wants you to justify your wrong conduct and deeds so you begin to look and act like him in a plot to make you his.
“I only had one drink because I was socializing, I won’t drink anymore.”
“I only gave her husband my number to talk, there’s no crime against being someone’s friend.”
“I only thought a curse word in my mind, I didn’t say it out loud.”
“I am tired of gospel music today, let me turn on some rap to get a break.”
“I was only late to work one time this week, my boss is late every single day.”
“I only told the lie because I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.”
“I didn’t have time to pray this week because I was so busy at work and I was tired. God understands.”
“I only missed church one Sunday this month, I don’t have to go to church every week.”
(“Take us the foxes, The little foxes, That spoil the vines: For our vines have tender grapes.” Song of Solomon 2:15 KJV)
Again in this scripture, foxes represent false teachers in the church, another group the enemy sends to divide and cause strife in the church and to help put the new Believer and babes of the gospel on the wrong path. But here Solomon refers to the “little foxes” or the small heresies or counter beliefs which “spoil the vines.” If the vines represent the flow/ feeding from God or your relationship with God and is spoiled or cut off, what happens then? If the enemy can cut off the vine or the connection between you and God, the flow of the God’s word, His presence, prayer, attendance to church and anything and everything that is growing you in God, if he can put a damper and ruin your relationship with God then ultimately it will cause you to give up or lose your salvation. No salvation equates to spiritual death.
The enemy allows us to justify or defend our wrongdoings by getting us to believe it was okay this one time because of the circumstances. Once we start justifying small sins or “little white lies” then the enemy has a toe in the door. He is then able to kick the door wide open for more sin to enter in. Then the small and insignificant things that you didn’t consider a big deal a few months ago are now causing infidelity and breaking up your happy marriage, causing you turmoil on your job, causing you to mismanage money, causing you to become a liar and sneaky and causing you to be a hateful, spiteful or bitter person.
We must recognize when we are being distracted. Not only do we have to learn and recognize the devices and tricks of the enemy, but we also have to learn to avoid them. (“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 KJV) Yield is great word to use when talking about submitting to God. Whatever God deems necessary for our lives then we must yield to his requirements/commandments/expectations. God knows best as he is our/the Creator and we should take His word for it and do whatever he calls us to do.
How do we know what he wants us to do? How do we know how he wants us to act? How do we know what he wants us to say? By reading our Bible. Praying to God that we first come to Him in the right state (state of repentance) but also asking for him to open up our spiritual ears to hear Him and to open our understanding to His word. We must pray to God and ask Him to lead us and guide us in everything.
While we are instructed to submit to God and yield to His will for our life at the same time we need to do the exact opposite with regards to the devil. We must be able to recognize the devices of the enemy and resist, abstain or stay away from ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that is counter to God. Anything that draws you even a small distance away from God is dangerous.
Therefore always be aware and always be alert because distractions are simply bait from the devil to divert you from the truth, which ultimately keeps you from God. So ask yourself is what I am doing today drawing me closer to God or further away from God?
Is anything distracting me from God?