Before we venture on into our deliberation with Spiritual gifts, let us consider our opponent and his strategy. "Negotiators give themselves an advantage by thinking about what is motivating the other party, by getting inside their head”. (Galinsky)
Counterfeit and all that goes with it seems to be a massive global market that attracts the masses. And it will be no different when the anti-christ is revealed. We obviously have a natural tendency to be drawn to that which is phony just so long as it will pass off to the unschooled as an original. I wonder if this is a ploy the devil uses to beguile, if he could, the children of God? This then must be one of his objectives, a game plan if you like in the “boardroom of hell”. I am convinced that this is true as we have an enemy who goes around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, and NO! he is not already chain as some suggest, that day is still coming. His ploy is to deceive even the very elect with his counterfeit paraphernalia and his lying signs and wonders. “For false christ’s and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24) – This reference is of a time still to come and some may say I am quoting a reference in the present instead of the future. Let me rather quote another reference to prove this; “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. (Philippians3:18-19) – This is a reference to two thousand years ago, therefore it is clear to see a pattern of the enemy throughout time and it will remain so until the end, that is obvious!
Let scripture now always prove every point we make on this blog, let supposition without scripture and verse be disqualified from voicing its opinion, as we seek God’s voice and nothing that is forged is welcome amongst us.
May you please help us Father to ACHIEVE THIS OUR OBJECTIVE; we only want to hear your voice and your direction, so that your name may receive glory. Yes, we will be the beneficiaries of your grace, but your name alone will be praised amongst your people.
How do we know that deception by way of what is counterfeit is a ploy of the devil? It is scripture that teachers us this truth; - “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2Corinthians 11:14) - That means that even apparent Christian leaders are disguising themselves as angles of light- copies of what seems to be the original, but it is the Word when examined that exposes them as wolves in sheep’s clothing. We must use the Word of God as our yard-stick if we wish to be accurate with our findings, nothing else will do! If we miss a quality check no matter how small it may seem, we may end up in trouble and believe a lie.
A case in point that affected all of us living in South Africa would be the R200 note, a classic example of how a counterfeit note slipped through the system, in fact it was such a good replica that the Reserve bank was forced to call back its entire bank roll and then print a new note.
I will then ask you, do you think deception is a real threat, we know it is! - “So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” (2Corinthians 11:15)
Yet having said that we must never undermine the work of our great God in our lives as God the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth; “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13) So long as we seek out God’s will in our lives, it is grace needed to win the victory every time, we must never forget that it is our great Saviour who has overcome and we stand in Him, if it were not for Him we would lose the battle every time, He has defeated the devil and all that is evil, when we in ourselves look to defeat the devil we fail every time, but it is not so with our great Saviour the Lord Jesus, we must look to stand on His finished work and nothing else. We must always remember that pride is a great enemy and the devil will use it skilfully to get us to stumble as he knows that God resist the proud; “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:6-7) - May we always remember to fly that banner while seeking out the truth of God’s Word in every area of our lives.
Signing off
Tyrone
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