THE SNARE OF THE DEVIL

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2nd Corinthians 4:1-2 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

Paul tells us that as a minister of the Lord, that he had renounced the hidden things of dishonesty. Which means he has laid aside and shunned dishonesty, even in the hidden halls of his heart. There is a difference between shunning dishonesty publicly, and doing so inwardly.

The Pharisees in Christ's day wished to appear righteous to men, they wanted to appear holy to the majority; they would never think about stealing, or robbing publicly and hurting their image. Yet Christ said that they appeared righteous on the outside, but inside they were full of iniquity and hypocrisy.(Matthew 23:28).

In public they would strain the gnats from their drinking water, but at home they were feeding upon camels.

They would pay tithes even upon their plants that grew, but inwardly they knew nothing about righteousness and mercy (Matthew 23:23).

They pretended to hold up the great principals of the bible and they condemned the unlawful, but in their hearts they didn't love the truth. They loved their traditions more than the words of GOD.

Yet all of their show didn't fool God, he sees the heart. And God wants honesty in the inward parts (Psalms 51:6), and I tell you friends, if you are honest on the inside, then you will be honest on the outside!

If the bank accidently placed a thousand dollars in your account, and no one knew it but you, how many 'professed' Christians would return it? A few right?

How many would return it, if their Pastor and their church family knew that they received it wrongly? A bunch more! Religious people want to appear righteous among their peers; they would rather appear righteous than to truly be righteous.

But God wants you to be righteous on the inside, he wants dishonesty to be contrary to your nature.

Paul also said in the above passage: "not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully;"

The old saying is "there's Sucker born every minute", and for every gullible person, there is a crook ready to take advantage of them. But here Paul says that he did not employ crafty methods, he did not attempt to cheat people or to deceive people. He said in one place that he used 'great plainness of speech' (2nd Corinthians 3:12). As Christ said, "Let your yes be yes, and your no, no".

And I tell you friends if you are honest hearted and it's against your nature to cheat a person, then your not going to use the word of God deceitfully are you? And Paul says that he had not handled the word of God deceitfully.

He didn't cry peace, peace to the wicked, when GOD said there would be no peace for the wicked.

He didn't water down the word of GOD so that it would fit the world.

He didn't tell people they could continue in their sinful ways and inherit the kingdom of GOD, but he told them plainly that they who continued in such things would not be in the kingdom of GOD.

He didn't try to win a popularity contest, and the truth that he preached caused some men to hate him (Galatians 4:16).

They may of hated him for what he stood for, But they couldn't honestly say Paul was not sincere, they could not say he was a liar, they couldn't say he was a thief, and they couldn't say Paul didn't want them to be saved. The truth that was in Paul's heart manifested its self to the conscience to everyone who knew him.

"but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."

And Paul's lifestyle, is an example for us to follow. It is an example we are commanded to follow.

Titus 2:7-8 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

As Christians, especially as BIBLE ONLY Christians, we're going to have people who hear about us, and they are going to think that we've gone off of the deep end. They are going to think and say, "These people go to church on Saturday, and they ignore these holidays, and they are not interested in our entertainment, they can't be of God". And that is fine if they think that when they hear about us.

But my friend, when they come in contact with us, they may not agree with everything we stand for, but they should be able to say: "Those people believe in the bible, they are honest, they are sincere, they have love in their hearts". And they should feel ashamed for judging us wrongly.

You know the bible teaches that the Glory of GOD rests upon those who suffer innocently?

But so often we bring reproach upon ourselves because we are not walking honestly before GOD; because our minds are not filled with the holy Spirit and we are following after the flesh.

How many opportunities have we had to shine the light of God's word to someone who may be interested in the truth. But instead of quoting a verse, we quote a joke to them?

How many opportunities have we had to show the love of GOD to people, but instead of his love, they see indifference? Or even hate? Prejudice?

How many opportunities have we had to show people holiness in this perverse and wicked world, but when they come into our homes they see the TV glaring, or hear trash music blaring?

These people probably go and tell their friends, "these people are suppose to be Spirit filled Christians, but they are just like the rest of the world"

1st Peter 2:19-23 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

If we suffer reproach, let's not suffer because we deserve it; that doesn't prosper you, nor the cause of Christ, but it casts reproach upon his name. Remember people, you are the ambassadors of Jesus Christ, you are representing him to the world, don't take his name in vain.

So many people claim to be Christians with their lips, but deny him by their lifestyles (Titus 1:16). And I tell you if we deny Christ before men, he will deny us before his Father (2nd Timothy 2:12).

Pursue, flee and avoid.

2nd Timothy 2:22-23 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

In our Christian journey we have a road to travel, and we have a goal or a mark that we are striving to reach. And along this journey there are some things we have to avoid, and there are some things we have to flee from and there are some things we must pursue

First Paul tells us to flee from youthful lusts; man does not sin until he is enticed by his own lusts. We are to flee from temptation, we are to pray that we do not enter temptation, we are to abstain from the very appearance of evil.

So many Christians struggle with 'temptation', and the biggest reason is they give place to the devil. If you are tempted with alcohol, then stay away from the bars.

If you are tempted to watch the trash that is on tv; take your TV line out!

As Jesus said, If your right eye tempts you to sin, pluck it out and cast it away from you, for it is better to lose an eye, than to have your whole body cast into hell (Matthew 5:29). We are to flee temptation, we are not to invite it into our homes.

What did Paul say to follow? "but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

Aren't these the attributes of Jesus? He is the Prince of Peace, he is THE RIGHTEOUS ONE, He is love and he defines faith. We are to pursue these qualities in our own lives. Christ is the goal of the Christian experience

You are to strive to become more and more Christ like. And you are not going to become more Christ like by spending your time with your head in the world.

What are we to avoid? "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes."

Paul told Timothy to avoid foolish and unlearned questions. That is, questions that deal with things that are not edifying, and are not explainable or important. I have heard that during the dark ages that the so called "Great Theologians" would argue for hours over the question, "How many angels can stand on the head of a pin". Today men waste countless hours arguing over things that are of the least importance. But Paul tells us to be wise, and to avoid these things. We are to concentrate on the things that will make us wise unto salvation, we are to deal with instructions that draw us closer to God, and helps us to live holy in this life. Foolishness has only one fruit, and that is strife.

Are we to promote strife?

2nd Timothy 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 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.

No, the bible teaches us that we should not strive, we are not to be a striker or a brawler; we are not to fight with either hands or tongue (1st Timothy 3:3), but we are to be gentle, patient, meek and able to contend for the faith through teaching and instructions.

So that those who oppose themselves, that is, that are opposed to the TRUTH to their own hurt, may be saved from the snare of the devil. Those we contend with must know that we oppose their wrong, but we want them saved. If someone hates me because of the truth I believe and preach, then that is their problem. But if they hate me because I have the attitude of an infidel, then that is my problem.

And if someone hates you, or the church because of your attitude, then that is your problem.

And those who oppose the truth, they have a problem, because people who are fighting against the truth are fighting GOD; they are on their way to destruction. As Paul said they are in a snare of the devil! And all we can do is share the truth with them, and hope that GOD will grant them repentance.

Turn with me now to 2nd Corinthians 4:3

2nd Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

What are people who have not accepted the gospel in their hearts? The bible says they are spiritually blind; Satan has blinded their minds and he has taken their ears so that they cannot hear. Jesus asked the Jews, "Why can't you understand what I am saying? Because you can't hear my words, because you are of your father the devil..." (John 8:43).

People don't realize that if you are not living for Christ, then you are living for Satan. Jesus said if you are not for me, then you are against me!

If you are not born again, then you are in a Satanic snare, and you will not be in the kingdom of GOD.

If you are claiming to be 'saved' and yet you live like the devil, then you are deceived, you believe a lie, and you will be damned.

The first step to being freed from the bondage of Satan is to realize that you are in bondage. The second is to realize who can set you free from that bondage. The third is to call upon him, the Lord Jesus Christ, and ask him to save you. He doesn't want anyone to perish, but he wants everyone to come to repentance. Please don't delay.