Know Your Circle

Written July 21,2015

A lot of Christians make the mistake of confusing distractions from the enemy as blessings from God (2 Timothy 4:3). Likewise, many don’t take heed that “1 John 2:18 – …it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour,” and ignore the warnings of false teachers/prophets during these times (Romans 16:17-18, 2 Peter 2:1-22) 
Our enemy is smart. He’s not going to cause those he’s using to do his will speak things that blatantly contradict God’s Word. He will sneak in little lies mixed in to what we can easily identify as truth, thus building trust in the one relaying the word and planting a seed of lies to grow in believers. (Genesis 3:4-5)
When is the last time you measured up your pastor/leadership up against the guidelines provided to us in the New Testament? Even if this person is your husband/wife, mother/father, sister/brother, friend. We tend to excuse ungodly behavior in those we know even when we witness how these leaders damage God’s flock. “S/he would never do that”, when all evidence is clear; “The enemy is attacking”, when God has uncovered sin; “people are jealous of his/her success”, when they are slaughtering God’s people. Put relationship aside and ask God for revelation. Truth be told, most of the leaders in churches right now are doing a better job leading people to hell, than guiding them to heaven. That is because we are too gullible to see the wolf dressed up in sheep’s clothing, especially when we break bread with them. 
Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”
Jeremiah 23:1-4 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the Lord. “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the Lord. 
1 Timothy 6:3-12 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.