13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into AN ANGEL
OF LIGHT.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be
transformed as the MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS; whose end shall be
according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
It is absolutely impossible for anybody to enter into their
ultimate season and fulfilment without the help of the Holy Spirit. The Holy
Spirit helps by enabling us to discern the times and seasons and
also to respond to the call of destiny. He is the person and power
that works in us. Hallelujah!
One of the key areas where we urgently require the help of the
Holy Spirit in our life is in our relationships with others. We truly cannot do
without other people by any means in our life; we may either need somebody or
somebody needs us. However, the challenge we face is that not all that come our
way are true and real. Camouflage, hypocrisy and deception are daily living
with us. There are a lot of pretenders and liars among supposed people of God
who do create and enjoy illusion. In fact, some people seem to thrive and
flourish in deception. But unfortunately, their joy will be short-lived.
How do we avoid the danger of placing our trust, confidence and
partnership with liars and deceivers? In what ways shall we be able to forestall
or counteract the ominous torrents of grand deception among those who seem to
be so religious? We seem to have fewer problems today with sinners and
unbelievers than with those who claim to know the Book. First of all, we need
to understand the origin of this evil deception.
SATANIC TRANSFORMATION
Let us take a careful look at our text again:
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, TRANSFORMING
themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is TRANSFORMED into an angel
of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be
TRANSFORMED as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to
their works (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ─note my emphasis).
Negative transformations do take place among men,
although we may fail to discover them, and ultimately fail to deal with them.
We are in no wise helped when we lack discernment. This could be a very costly
disadvantage that we should avoid. Firstly, we can see in the Scriptures false
apostles, fake ‘Christian leaders’ who can actually transform or change so
that they may look very much like true ones. Secondly Satan himself, the
very chief mastermind of evil has the ability to do this transformation, such
that he will appear like an angel of light. Thirdly, ministers of Satan
can also be transformed negatively to look every bit like ministers of
righteousness. This is very dangerous.
This third level of satanic transformation is the most tricky
and critical one in the sense that an actual minister of Satan can become a ‘minister of righteousness’.
The Lord taught me some few years ago that what a preacher seems to be
preaching or saying is not enough to determine his status. Ministering righteousness
seems to be all important and absolute, but the truth is that it is possible
for a man to be saying the truth, emphasising or acknowledging what is
right without doing or living right. It is possible for a wicked person to be
used of God to say what is right and even minister and be a blessing to
other people while their character is unapproved by God. A lot of deception has
overwhelmed this generation to the extent that not everyone who seems to be
preaching or teaching from the Bible may have the Spirit of God. They can be
full of LETTERS and have not THE SPIRIT (2 Corinthians 3:6). Isn’t it very
possible for one to be theologically right but spiritually wrong? A preacher
may just be preaching to fulfil some professional procedure or liturgical
tradition, having learnt the rope without a personal experience of the Cross of
Christ. They themselves can be slaves of sin while preaching against ‘sin’.
They eventually become sold out to hypocrisy and lust and lose every sense of
good conscience.
Another danger is that some people have grown and learnt over
the years the attitudes of religion, religious mannerism and dictum and we are
tempted to believe that they are of God. Unfortunately, they are mere actors,
only playing an assigned role and using a script; they don’t really mean what
they say! It may even take a very long time to discover such folks, because
they wield a lot of influence and impact on the organised Church or
denomination and so many unwary crowd of followers who have been ‘greatly
blessed’ through their ‘ministry’ troop after them. Talking of ‘an angel of
light’ such men are first of all angels―they have the appearance
of purity and sanctimony; they are also ‘of light’ in the sense
that they use Scriptures skilfully, quoting the Word copiously. They do a lot
of show in the flesh with much emotionalism...But don’t be deceived.
DIVINE ULTIMATUM
God is never mocked. No one can successfully trick or cajole
Him! He looks into the heart while men judge only by what they see in the
natural. We are living in a time when Satan, the old deceiver has diligently
perfected is strategy over the ages. There are now many skilful and experienced
ministers of the evil one. Bless God; it is not really difficult to discover
such intricate men of dual personality: by their fruits you shall know them.
They cannot be hidden forever! God Himself reserves the power to judge, expose
and disgrace them. Their nakedness will soon appear to all.
Meanwhile, let us make ourselves open before God and be determined to
not live a double life. Let us be truly and wholly given to the Lord for He is
worthy of all of our devotion. Hence, there shall be no place in our lives to
serve any other god or to give place to Satan (Ephesians 4:27). Our God
will keep us to the very end and we shall not fail in Jesus’ name. Wherefore
he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing
he ever liveth to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25). Let us
rejoice for our God is up to the task, even as we come to Him with a true heart
and love unfeigned. He can never fail. Shalom.
IN HIS HOUSE,
Rev. Olufunso Joseph Omidiran Living Sword Ministries International
(Healing unto the Nations)
E-mail: info@livingsword.org
Web: www.livingsword.org
(Healing unto the Nations)
E-mail: info@livingsword.org
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