"Avoiding Deception" (Part 2)

 

“Avoiding Deception” (Part 2)

 

In our recent discussions of the Pastoral Epistles our Men’s Bible Study has talked about Satan’s deceptive tactics in the world today—and in the church as well. This is nothing new—in the late first century our Lord’s friend and apostle warned God’s people that “…many false prophets have gone out into the world…This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” (1 John 4:1-3). Centuries before Job had told his “friends” (and us), “The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28, emphasis added). How can we use this truth to avoid satanic deception?

In the previous article (please read it before continuing with this one) I made some suggestions to avoid being taken in by present day financial and other scams, one of which was using the internet to investigate questionable communications. When it comes to our spiritual lives, however, how do we determine what’s right and best for us? By heeding what are arguably the five most important words we could ever read: “What does the Scripture say?” (Romans 4:3, emphasis added). The Greek word for deceive appears 39 times in the New Testament and always has the meaning of straying from God’s norm. Twice we’re told not to let others deceive us (Ephesians 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:3). And God also tells us not to be deceived in these ways:

*That no one can enter God’s presence without being cleansed from sin and made right before Him (1 Corinthians 6:9).

*That we must be careful in choosing our relationships (1 Corinthians 15:33).

*That we can’t pull the wool over God’s eyes and will bear the results if we try (Galatians 6:7).

*That all we have comes from God’s goodness to us (James 1:16-17).

A Sunday School quarterly I used years ago contained the statement, “Truth is the best antidote to error.” Truth isn’t determined by opinion polls or individual preferences—it has its source in God and His Word (“The word of the Lord is right and true….”—Psalm 33:4) and all that comes down the pike must be measured by His standard which will never change (“Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”—Psalm 119:89). Jesus avoided the devil’s deception by citing Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11)—it worked for Him and it will for us. Use it well!

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Avoiding Deception" (Part 1)

 

“Avoiding Deception” (Part 1)

 

After my father’s death in 1992 my mother lived alone for about 16 years until she went to an assisted living facility. Since there were many phone scams targeting seniors at that time (and still are) my brother and I cautioned her to hang up if the caller was someone she didn’t know. To the best of our knowledge she was never victimized for which we were thankful.

Mom never had a cell phone or computer so we didn’t have to be concerned about text and email predators affecting her. But the crooks never give up. As I write on this early March afternoon I just received a “suspected spam” call which I didn’t answer. And already this month I’ve gotten four texts from four different sources claiming to represent a well-known retail outlet saying they’ve renewed our contract (which we’ve never had with this company), an email supposedly from our cell phone provider threatening that our service would end if I didn’t contact them (I called the carrier’s customer service line and was assured no such contact was made by them and there were no problems with our account) and a text offering to buy our house (our name and address were incorrect). All this points out that we must be diligent in protecting ourselves from deceptive practices. How do we do this? By making frequent use of the delete button, not answering calls from unknown sources, putting blocks on suspicious numbers, carefully checking our credit card and other billing statements, using Google to check out phone numbers and company names and safeguarding our personal information. In answering His disciples’ questions about the end times our Lord said, “Watch out that no one deceives you.” (Matthew 24:4). I believe He’s saying the same to us today, that we safeguard what He’s entrusted to us.

The old saying hasn’t changed: “If something appears to be too good to be true it probably is.” Thus we must be careful not to be taken in by the actions of those trying to separate us from our money by some get-rich-quick or other schemes which will only lead us on a downward path. Solomon wrote, “The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22, NLT, emphasis added). So let’s be thankful for the real Source of blessing which will never fail us.

 

Grace and Blessings! 

Jim McMillan

"Keep the Doors Open"

 

“Keep the Doors Open”

(Please read “Keep the Doors Locked” before this one.)

 

The late Dr. J. Vernon MeGee had a radio program called “Through the Bible” in which he taught God’s Word cover to cover over a five year period. Recordings of these studies are still being played in some areas 35 years after his Homegoing. Prior to his broadcast ministry he was pastor of the Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles for 21 years. While few churches have this name all would do well to emulate what it suggests.

If the door to our house is open to you it would provide welcome, acceptance, access to our home and opportunity for fellowship. All of these qualities are taught in Scripture as to what Christ expects His church and His people to be and do. Paul commended the Galatians because they “…welcomed (him) as if (he) were an angel of God, as if (he) were Christ Jesus himself.” (Galatians 4:14). He later challenged a group of believers whom he’d never met to “Accept one another…just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7). An inspired but anonymous writer reminds us that “…by virtue of the blood of Jesus, you and I…may now have confidence to enter (i.e. have access to) the holy of holies (i.e. the very presence of God) by a fresh and living Way, which he has opened for us….” (Hebrews 10 :19-20, PH). And from Day 1 of the church the door was opened to the 3000 new believers “…to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship….” (Acts 2:42), giving opportunities for growth and service.

Paul, who joined the company of believers a bit later, continuously sought open doors to serve. After trying to move east and south (the “closed doors” described in the previous article) he was given an open door to go west into Macedonia (Acts 16:9-10). From there the message of Christ spread throughout Europe. About five years later he wrote that “…a great door for effective work has been opened to me….” (1 Corinthians 16:9). And he never stopped seeking and availing himself of the opportunities presented to him.

You and I have been called of God to fulfill Jesus’ “Great Commission” to “…make disciples….” (Matthew 28:19). There are many ways (i.e. open doors) for us to carry out His desires for us as His church. So just as there’s a time and place for many things in our lives (see Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) there’s a time to keep doors locked as well as open. May God give us discernment to know the difference.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

 

"Keep the Doors Locked"

 

“Keep the Doors Locked”

 

(About 20 years ago I conducted two workshops at a training conference on “Tearing Down Walls” and “Building Up Walls”. These appear to be contradictory but biblically there’s a place for both. In this and the following article I’m taking two other seemingly opposing concepts and showing how both are important as we seek to apply God’s truth to our walk with Him.)

The entrance gates to our community are closed and locked daily from 7:00pm to 7:00am and our Association often reminds us to keep our house and vehicle doors locked, all for the security of residents and our property. While insurance companies usually pay claims even if doors are left unlocked failure to lock them may cause delays and possibly result in increased premiums. So it’s always a good idea to lock up even if someone is away from their home or car only briefly. (There was a case in our community a few years ago in which the homeowners left the garage door open while picking up mail and found that jewelry was missing when they returned ten minutes later.)

When Paul and his companions were doing their missionary work God didn’t allow them to travel to Asia and Bithynia (Acts 16:6-7). They may not have understood the reasons for these closed doors but before long God’s purpose became clear to them (see the following article for “the rest of this story”). But please note they didn’t sit idly by—they moved ahead until God stopped them. (See “Stuck in Park” for more on this principle.) So it’s up to us to pursue the possibilities.

Centuries ago St. Augustine issued this warning: “Evil passes the door first as a stranger, then enters as a guest, and finally installs itself as master.” So it’s important that we keep the door of our mind locked to sinful thoughts with a healthy “think list” from Philippians 4:8 (NLT): “Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” And when it comes to expressing our thoughts let’s remember Jesus’ warning; “…Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34), obey Solomon’s counsel: “…Guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” (Proverbs 4:23) and heed David’s prayer: “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3). And don’t forget God’s prophet’s words for questionable times: “…Those who are wise will keep quiet.” (Amos 5:13, NLT). So, are the right doors locked in my life?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan