Whose Fooling You?

Despite today’s challenging and tumultuous times, we see more and more people pretending to be something they’re not.  Their desire to be liked, even worshipped, seems to be the focus.  And I’m not just talking about the rich and famous and politicians of the world, it’s affecting the church as well.  What they’re really doing is establishing cults with themselves as idols and relegating others, causing them to fall into the trap of worshipping man.  Don’t get me wrong, some people naturally connect with others or have common causes, and there’s group support and popularity surrounding that.  But to deeply desire or covet this followership is idolatry.  They say and do good things others want to hear and see, enticing them to participate.  Sometimes these acts greatly help others and communities, but they’re done for the wrong purposes.  These acts and words are not for the glory of God.

In 1 John 2:1-10 we read, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him.”  We need to be able to discern what is of God, and for God.  If not, we will fall for anything, as many have already.  Galatians 6:3 reads, “If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.”  God knows our heart and He knows our motives.  If we do something in His name, it needs to be for His glory; not ours.  1 Corinthians 3:18-19 says, “Don’t fool yourself. Don’t think that you can be wise merely by being relevant . . . What the world calls smart, God calls stupid.”

Stop allowing these attention getters, fake people, false prophets, who try to deceive us.  Times are tough right now, and the sound of good things is so comforting that we drift towards it.  But if we’re not careful, we’ll be caught up in a rapid we can’t navigate.  Malice is not of God.  Colossians 3:8-9 reads, “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.”  If we are really in Christ, we will not take advantage of others for our own gain.  We should seek to build up, comfort, and teach others about God’s goodness.  Galatians 6:7 clearly states, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”  There is a price to pay for doing wrong, for involvement in this foolishness. 

2 Timothy 2:15 tells us to, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”  That’s why we need to be in, and read, the word for ourselves.  For in The Word, lies the truth.  And Jesus tells us in John chapter 8, that if we abide in Him and His word, then we will know the truth and the truth will set us free.  Christ says abide in Him, not man.

These pretenders are overly critical of others on social media and in the church, not seeing the plank in their own eyes.  Referring to how others view them, they continually gossip and stir up trouble instead of doing good in the world, to the glory of God the Father and Jesus our Lord.  James 1:26 reads, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.”  There’s too much Kingdom work to be done to take our eyes off the prize and become selfish.  God is a faithful God, and His mercies renew every morning.  So, in coming years, let us rejoice and be glad in each day He gives us, and get back to using our gifts for His calling on our lives.  Psalms 37:1-2 tells us, “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.”  God is paying attention and God, will pay them back.  Matthew 12:36 warns, “… on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.”  As this New Year approaches, I implore you to be on guard, watch out, and don’t let the green grass and smooth tongues fool you.