Masquerade

TODAY'S READING: Ps. 124, 2 Cor. 11, 12, 13

SCRIPTURE: 2 Cor. 11:13-15
¹³ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

OBSERVATION: In my 43 years of living as a Christian I have seen way too many of these men and women who have an air of spirituality lead people into gross sin and error. One of the first men we worked for in ministry was a false pastor with a church in the thousands. He could preach up a storm, keeping people on the edge of their seats so nobody was watching the clock. We were taken in for awhile ourselves. But as we rose in leadership, we discovered this man was sleeping with a number of women in the church. He would perform a private "marriage" ceremony with them in his car or home so that they would feel it was blessed by the Lord before he fornicated with them. These leaders, be they men or women, usually have charismatic personalities and an ability to fool people with a holy demeanor and great speaking ability. They can function in the gifts of the Spirit but have no fruit of the Spirit in their lives. Jesus warned that there would be those who could even do miracles in his name but who would have no relationship with him personally. Why is it that so many people can be fooled by false leaders? Mostly, it is due to a lack of knowledge of the scriptures. Another reason is that we tend to look at the wrong things in judging an individual. We look on the outward appearance, intelligence, an ability to speak well, etc. Rarely do we examine character and integrity. What concerns me is that the Lord said as the end of the age approaches, more and more will be drawn aside to such leaders.

APPLICATION: Just because something looks good doesn't mean it is good. As these verses state so well, evil can masquerade as holy and righteous. What then are we to do to avoid being taken in? Study the Word regularly and pray for discernment! God teaches us what to look for in others but if we don't read the Word and are not attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit we can be taken in. It is our responsibility to use the tools the Lord has given us so that we do not fall into error ourselves and so that we do not follow others who do.

PRAYER: Father, teach us to discern from your Word and from your Spirit between truth and error. There is such a vacuum of leadership in the world today that people will easily follow those who say they know the right way to go. Help me to be a leader who is humble and can show others the way to you so that their hearts are transformed by you. Uncover those who are masquerading as something they are not. In Jesus' Name, Amen.