A Voice in the Wilderness |
*** PORTIONS *** Re: Smooth tongues (Mt13:31-33) When we speak of "pervasive evil" and how it infiltrates quietly like "leaven", we often exhort and hear exhortation regarding adherence to "Doctrine." Paul's exhortation to "all speak the same thing...that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment [doctrine]." (1Cor1:10) That if Christians find themselves in fellowship with unbelievers, to "come out from among them and be separated..and do not touch the unclean thing..." (2Cor6:17) And, as a final understanding of the plumbline against which to discern spiritual matters, we understand that the unregenerate are "making divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned" and we are to "avoid them." (Rom16:17) But we often stop at vs17. However, they are described in more detail in vs18. "For they who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple." (vs18) Often at VW here, I am attacked for labelling certain Catagories of people as being "Unregenerate." These catagories many Christians have considered for years to be, merely, of "slightly different persuasions...tending to 'lean' in certain directions...but being 'Christian' nonetheless." In fact, I used to be similarly deceived for many years. You know, no harm done. So, they "believe a little differently" but that's OK. After all, Scripture has so many "gray areas." But there [IS] "Correct Godly Doctrine"!! Notice that those who "cause the divisions" by "not adhering" to that Doctrine, are first of all, "NOT CHRISTIANS." This passage said it quite plainly, "such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ." If they do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, whom do they serve? Jesus said, "The one who is not with Me is against Me, and the one who does not gather with Me scatters." (Mt12:30) "Scatters" being another way of saying "making divisions." And if they are "against" Jesus, there is only one other master! Furthermore, notice their methods. "good words and fair speeches." They speak of "luuuuuuv" and "graaeeeesssss." They are the first to come up to shake your hand, and pat you on the shoulder warmly. And they are Oh, soooo concerned about you. And they "accept you just as you are" along with your sin, and will encourage you to continue in it, because they have "crept in secretly...perverting the grace of God for unbridled lust, and [deny] the [ONLY] Master, God, even our Lord Jesus Christ." (Jude4) They whisper "graaeeeessss" in your ear, and teach "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes.." as they reject "but the Lord ponders the hearts."(Pr21:2) They deceive the "simple." Paul exhorts, "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Eph5:17) How is this accomplished? "Awake, sleeping ones! ..walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (vs14-16) And finally... "..be filled with the Spirit." (vs18) And we must define terms, because the enemy has distorted this most precious concept. This is not being "spirit-filled" as the charismatic leaven has permeated. But rather, having the [HOLY] Spirit indwelling, with full control of our lives. (Rom8:9-10) and teaching. (Jn16:13) Amen! ![]() |