2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Introduction
The Twenty-first Century is characterized by great technology and much learning. There is more information available to people at this moment than at any other time in history. The Internet, television entertainment, radio programs, and printed publications are means of conveying data. The great tragedy is that, even though there is much information, the world is starving for truth.
People are looking for help. When one considers the masses who seek out counsel and advice from various personalities and programs, it is clear that millions of people recognize their need of guidance. Is there deliverance to be found in those sources? Information is rampant, but truth is the need of the hour! Christians must know God’s word and speak the truth in love. Only the truth can set men free.
God reveals that the accuser of our brethren is deceptive and subtle. Eve learned well this lesson. The old serpent seeks to break the heart of God by blinding the lost to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by leading God’s people into sin. Key teachings from God’s word must be heeded to combat the Devil’s agenda. For example, it is the Christian’s responsibility to look unto Jesus and declare the truth of God’s word everyday. Also, simply because something is moral and legal does not mean that it is biblical. Furthermore, the Devil is very knowledgeable and uses that which many would consider to be good to accomplish his goals. Finally, the only help for people is in the Lord Jesus Christ. Only the truth can set men free.
The Devil’s Desire is to Keep Men from the Truth
The Devil is revealed in the Bible as being subtle and deceitful (Genesis 3:1; Revelation 20:10). He is the enemy of God and of God’s people, and his desire is to prevent people from coming to the Lord, whether for salvation or any other need. He attempts to accomplish this goal through blinding the lost to the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, through destroying confidence in the word of God, through infiltrating churches with unbelief and godless methods, and through offering substitutes for the power of God. Satan is as a roaring lion walking about seeking whom he may devour.
The Devil labors to prevent men from coming to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 4:4 states, “…the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not….” For example, godless philosophies have flooded the world, particularly in education and psychology. Also, materialism and prosperity have become an epidemic; goods become idols when savored. Furthermore, many people believe they can claim to be Christians yet live unholy lives. This is a lie of the Devil, and it leaves others with no respect for the message of God. The Devil is glad to give men anything that will keep them from looking unto Son of God.
The old Accuser has worked tirelessly to destroy confidence in the word of God. In the Garden of Eden, the Serpent said, “Yea, hath God said…?” Satan knows if the Bible is not the only rule for faith and practice, churches will continue to be powerless, and more souls will go into an eternal Hell. The father of lies knows that good advice and moral standards apart from the authority of God’s word, will do nothing more than keep people from the liberty in Jesus Christ. Many preachers no longer preach the fiery truth of the Bible. Rather, they speak almost exactly like modern radio and television personalities, declaring prosperous lives, morality, and conservative principles all apart from the word of God. The Bible alone makes a person “perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:17).
The apostle Paul warned that there would be those who are guilty of “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” It is evident through moral living apart from the Lord. This reason is why most philosophies behind public schools, self-help books, and therapy are deadly. There are sincere people who desire to help children, the mentally unsound, and those who have grave problems in their homes, yet it is all vain unless it grows out of God’s word. The devil has led men to believe that they can have their best lives now without giving preeminence to Christ. He promoted this idea to Eve when he said, “…Your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing GOOD and evil.” (Genesis 3:5, emphasis added) There is no power and there is no help without the Bible! Joshua 1:8 says that man’s goal ought to be obedience to God. One cannot be spiritual without being Scriptural!
The Devil walks by the door of a person’s life a thousand times, just to find it cracked open once. The Accuser floods the world with a form of godliness which contains no truth. He works to destroy confidence in God’s word, leading them to find truth from other sources. He labors to keep men from knowing Christ. He is not foolish; he is subtle. God’s people must awake to earnestly contend for the faith.
Christians Are Responsible for Giving the Truth to the World
Every Christian must be aware that it is his responsibility to look solely to the Lord and speak the truth in love. Hebrews 12:1-3 states,
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
The Lord uses the expression, “Looking unto Jesus.” How is the Christian life to be lived? It is to be lived by “looking unto Jesus,” which involves daily meditation in the word of God and earnest prayer before the throne of God. If a man has a need, should it not be the Saviour who is sought for the answer? It is the word of God which is our only rule for faith and practice. The Lord gives witness of His word’s power when he states, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” The Lord, though, does not end at that point; rather, he drives home the extent of the power of the word of God when he says, “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
The Creator knows everything that it is in man; He is to have the preeminence in every Christian’s life. This principle means that before the telephone is used or the television viewed, the prayer closed ought to first be consulted. The Bible declares in John 2:24-25, “But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.” Opinions and advice can be most helpful, and it is not wrong to seek them out. The Proverbs state, “In the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 24:6). However, let it always be godly counsel that is sought.
Counsel from radio and television personalities, among others, would not be necessary if more Christians practiced the admonition, “speaking the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15).” The Devil has deceived many by influencing Christians to think that Bible teaching is only done by Pastors, preachers, and Sunday School teachers. God’s word is clear that all of His people are to be salt and light in the dark world in which they live (Matthew 5:1-15). This exhortation means that as a member of God’s family goes into the work place, school, the doctor’s office, or the restaurant, he ought to be seeking with the compassion of Christ other people that can be helped from the word of the Lord, regardless of the day of the week. Matthew 10:7 states, “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Clearly, It is the responsibility of God’s people to unwaveringly declare the truth to the world
People are looking for help. When one considers the masses who seek out counsel and advice from various personalities and programs, it is clear that millions of people recognize their need of guidance. Is there deliverance to be found in those sources? Deliverance does not come from good advice and sharp thinking; it comes only from Jesus Christ and His truth. Truth is the need of the hour!
– CL
