Tag: deceivers
Watch yourselves!
Scripture reading for November 26: 2 John
“And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.” 2 John 6-11
John wrote this short letter to ‘the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth.’ This was probably a church meeting in the home of a lady who was its pastor or possibly a way of addressing the church and its members. John was concerned with the truth and the church continuing to abide in the truth. There were false teachers that John called ‘deceivers’ who were teaching the Jesus was just a ‘spirit’ and that He did not come in the flesh being born of a virgin. This enabled them to claim ‘salvation’ but do whatever they wanted in their bodies.
In contrast, John encouraged the believers to walk according to Jesus’ commandment to love God and love one another. (Matthew 22:37-39) This was possible by the indwelling Gift of the Holy Spirit and the grace of having our own sins forgiven. This was provided by God through His Son when He died bodily on the cross and after three days rose again. John wasn’t advocating salvation by works, but an abiding faith that would not be enticed away from trust in Jesus’ sacrifice. John did not want any believer to lose their full reward upon the return of Jesus in glory. He taught them not to receive any teachers that advocated any other way of human effort or indulgence in sinful passions. Watchfulness was required to avoid deception and to continue to abide in Jesus.
Have you personally experienced any of the teaching of deceivers who deny Jesus came in the flesh? From God’s Word through John, what instructions help you to avoid deception? Why does John warn the believers not to greet these false teachers or receive them into their homes?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for caring for Your church and sending letters of warning and encouragement. Help me to be alert and watchful for deception and those promoting it. Use me to teach and live the doctrines of truth concerning Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Tough love!
Scripture reading for October 5th: 2nd John, Psalm 49, Proverbs 13
2nd John:6-11 “And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”
John’s short letter continues his emphasis on walking in the love of God through obedience, the highest form of worship. The believers must guard against deception and continue to walk in the truth of the Gospel of grace through faith. The deceivers that attacked the church John wrote to were denying that Jesus was truly human and came to earth in the flesh. This teaching undermines the Gospel and leads people away from truth. Those who come to believe this heresy do not know God and are in danger of eternal damnation. It is a serious issue. John warned these believers not to receive these false workers into their homes or even to greet them. To do so was to share in their deception. This is tough love designed to protect believers from deception. Prayer for those caught up in this is still our privilege.
Psalm 49:15 “But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for these clear instructions and warning against those who falsely teach against the virgin birth and Jesus, Son of Man and Son of God. Have mercy on those in this darkness and turn them again to the light of truth. May Your pastors and church elders and deacons teach the uncompromised Word of Truth and bring protection to the flock of Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 13:17-18 “A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.”
Rebuking the deceivers!
Scripture reading for June 24th: Titus 1
Key Scriptures: Titus 1:10-16 “For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but the the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”
Paul was a pastor and took time to instruct other pastors in dealing with problems in the church. There are people problems and problem people that must not be ignored but dealt with to keep order in the church and maintain unity. The problem in the church at Crete was false doctrine coming from a sect of Jewish converts who were still teaching Jewish ‘myths’. These ‘teachers’ were not under pastoral and apostolic authority–they were ‘insubordinate’. They thought they had truth, but were really deceived and were causing division. Paul’s instruction to Titus was to rebuke them sharply in hopes of bringing true repentance and faith. They must be silenced and stopped from fleecing the congregation and dividing it. Paul warned Titus that they may not be repentant as false doctrine and love of money from teaching it often defiles mind and conscience. They had a profession, but no possession of saving faith and were unfit for any role of church leadership.
Titus 1:9 “He (elders) must hold firmly to the trustworthy Word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray for pastors in Your church that are needing to correct and rebuke sharply those causing division. Give them wisdom and discernment and courage to do what You instruct that sound doctrine and true faith will bring salvation and life. Deliver us from defiled minds and consciences and fear of man.
Titus 1:5 “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you–“
Receive your full reward!
Scripture reading for November 25th: 2nd John
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 2nd John 7-9 “Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”
John the elder’s second letter warns the church to watch out for deceivers that are teaching a different gospel; denying that Jesus came in the flesh as God’s Son and Messiah. They appeal to human reason that no one could be raised from the dead. We must continue in sound doctrine and believe truth or we may lose our reward when Christ appears! Trusting that Christ Jesus came as a man and died and rose again is the foundation of our salvation and alone can save us.
Observations for over-comers: Deception will mark the last days before Christ returns. Hold on to truth! “Send forth Your light and Your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You dwell.” (Psalm 43:3)
Walking in truth and love!
Scripture reading for December 6th: 2nd John 1-13
John is concerned about love and truth in his letters. He was the disciple ‘whom Jesus loved’! He knew the love of Jesus from a perspective that others may not have. He was one of the closest to the Master and wrote this short letter to a group of believers to encourage them to walk in love and truth.
“The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth–and not I only, but also all who know the truth–because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever. Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.” (2nd John 1-3) John was ‘the elder’, because of his age and position as an apostle. The truth John was speaking of was Jesus Christ as God’s Son and our Savior. All who have this truth, will love others who hold to the truth and walk in it.
“And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands.” (2nd John 5-6a) John affirms the simple commands of Jesus Christ. These are old commands. Loving God is obedience to His commands to love Him and love others. It is so simple that a child can understand!
However, love must exercise discernment in the last days. “Many deceivers who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but the you may be rewarded fully.” (2nd John 7-8) John warned this church group and their female leader to be watchful. They were not to welcome or take in any of the false teachers into their home or church. “Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.” (2nd John 11)
God has great joy when His children walk in love and truth. Love must be discerning, however. The last days are filled with deception. Ask God to give you discernment and help you to apply the scriptures from this short letter. He wants you fully rewarded!
Walking in Truth!
Scripture reading for December 20th: 2nd John
What a journey through God’s word we have enjoyed! Only three more letters and we will finish this year’s trip and prepare for another! Our goal has been to find Jesus speaking to us in each book and letter of God’s word. I am amazed at how each time I sit down to read and write, the Holy Spirit opens up some aspect of the passage for me. Here are a few Scriptures that speak to me from this short letter. May they minister to your heart today.
“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.” 2nd John 3 John’s emphasis begins with God’s amazing grace, mercy and peace. These are with us because of God’s love and truth! Revelation of God’s goodness comes through His Word!
“It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love. “ 2nd John 4-6
‘Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.” (2nd John 7) As in John’s day, our world is full of deception. We must walk in love and truth!
“I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.” (2nd John 12) Personal interaction is God’s desire with each of His children!
Jesus desired His people walk in love. Love is from God and God is love! He commands His people to walk in love towards each other. It is not just a suggestion. We are also to walk in truth as well. This also is a direct command of the Father. When we walk in truth and love, we bring joy to our parents and spiritual leaders. May you bless those around you with God’s amazing love!