Recently, the Lord has allowed me to look over the landscape of modern day Christianity (or more appropriately Churchianity). I am troubled by much of what I see. The gospel has been perverted, the Holy Spirit is being mocked, and the sheep are being fleeced. I weep for those who will be eternally lost under the mistaken belief that they are in fellowship with the Most High Triune God.
A form of godliness has arisen within our churches led by the Great Imitator, Satan. From the very beginning of human history, Satan has sought to be God, and lead mankind away from God. Unfortunately, Satan is not alone in his desire to be God. He has a vast army of followers who consent to his plans and perform great feats. I am not referring to demonic entities, or witches and warlocks. I am referring to the carnally minded human being.
In Romans 8:7-8, the Bible tells us, Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
It is the carnally minded man that opposes God just like Satan opposes God. The carnally minded man consents to the plans of Satan and helps to execute them in the earth. The carnally minded man is not only the people of the world, but can be those of us who profess Christ as Savior, if we are not careful and watching our way.
Satan specializes in presenting imitations of God that appeal to our flesh. He understands the nature of our carnal man and knows how easily we are tempted when he taps into the lust of our flesh, the lust of our eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16-17). Satan will imitate the vision of God for our lives by using ambition to appeal to our flesh because most people want to feel that we are accomplishing something great. Satan will imitate the power of the gospel by using enticing words and bravado to invoke the emotions of the hearer but never leading the hearer into repentance and the truth of Jesus Christ.
When Moses went to demand that Pharaoh release the people of God, he was under the command of God, and therefore, empowered by God to accomplish all of God’s will. Yet, the magicians of Egypt were able to imitate the initial miracles of God.
And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the Lord had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said (Exodus 7:10-13).
When we follow the Great Imitator away from God, our hearts are hardened to God, just like Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. We do not seek God or His will but exalt our ideas and plans. We do not seek God’s power but rely on our own strength and abilities just like the magicians in Egypt.
The Bible gives us commands to protect ourselves (and each other) from being drawn away by the Great Imitator. Here are a few:
I. TEST THE FRUIT
In Matthew 7:20, Jesus says, Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. In this passage, Jesus is referring to false prophets coming in among the sheep. However, I believe that the principle of testing the fruit can, and should be, applied to our own lives. We should test whether the thoughts, plans, actions, etc. of our own lives are in line with God’s Word, timing, methods, and purposes, or if it is exalting our carnal nature.
II. REPENTANCE
If we have unrepentant sin in our lives, it is an open door for the Great Imitator to take us captive at his will and to lead us into greater deceptions. In 2 Timothy 2:25, Paul writes to Timothy that he should In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil who are taken captive by him at his will.
III. SUBMIT
Submission to God is key to resisting the devil. We do not have the power to fight Satan (or even our own carnal nature) without the Holy Spirit. James 4:7, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you
God requires that we not only submit to Him but to each other. First Peter 5:5-6 demonstrates the link between mutual submission to one another and therefore to God, also. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time…
IV. CRUCIFY THE FLESH
The preceding commands to test the fruit, repent, and submission can be summed up in the need for us to crucify our flesh daily. It is our flesh that is attracted to the world, and the things of the world. It is our flesh that wants to be our own god and dethrone the True and Living God from our lives. It is our own flesh that wants to be lawless and do everything that we want without the protective boundaries of the Word of God. To be led by the Holy Spirit, and not fall prey to the Great Imitator, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow after Jesus, or we will be found unworthy of Him.
And He [Jesus] said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it…So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple. (Luke 9:23-24, 14:33)
Have you been deceived by the Great Imitator? Do you have other suggestions for how to combat Satan’s deceptions? Share your experiences in the comments section.
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Copyright 2024 T.L. Lockley. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the King James Version®. Public domain
