Wake up and discern, oh Church!

Steve Lyston, Contributor

In light of all the deception that is taking place worldwide and within the Church, it is critical for Christians to do as the Scriptures admonishes and discern.

We are need to recognise that we are being sensitised through numerous media tools - advertising, movies, songs and jingles.

There is a constant twisting and play on words, as well as blatant changes in the use and meanings of words. There are many who take words that are positive, even the Word of God, and have tainted them by twisting them and turning them into something impure and negative.

Christians ought not to hold independent views on anything. As followers of Christ, a Christian's view must be based on the written Word of God. The Word of God is the only true light that can dispel spiritual darkness.

It is the eternal logos and the only true light. Everything was created by the Word - through Him, by Him, and for Him! (John 1:3) Nothing changes without the Word. If the Bible is useless, why is there so much fight to get rid of it?

There is no scriptural reference that God created secular or civil society. The only thing God separated was light from darkness. Romans 13:1 reminds us, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God."

Both secular and spiritual leadership and authority were instituted by God and must never to be used for personal gain or to control or dominate others.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Every leader is accountable to God (Daniel 4:32; Psalm 75:6-7). God does not sanction unjust legislation. He will allow evil rulers at times, as is exemplified through Nebuchadnezzar and Pharaoh, to get his people back in line.

God grants authority to serve a good end. How the authority is exercised will be brought into accountability regarding those to whom authority has been given.

Every Christian must know that it is critical for him/her. Behind every doctrine is a spirit. If the doctrine is true, then the Holy Spirit is behind it. If the doctrine is false, then God is not in it.

As believers, we must know what God sanctions. Everything that is in conflict with the Word of God is not of God. Likewise, anyone that denies the existence of Christ is the spirit of the Antichrist.

Behind every spirit there is a lie, and behind every lie there is bondage. Lies are strongholds and place personal bondage where God's word has been subjugated. To every non-scriptural idea or personally confessed belief that is held to be true and behind every lie, there are idols. Idols are established where there exists a failure to trust in the provision of God and His principles to transform nations and bring peace.

It is critical for Christians to be careful of what sounds they listen to. You have to understand that whoever dominates the airwaves has a greater control of the environment, and this is why Christians must think and speak positively.

They must be bold in declaring, naming and renaming some things. One of the things Christians have been doing is keeping away from the political arena on the basis of a false doctrine. Christians need to utilise their spiritual and financial resources, as well as their votes. They must also employ the fervent use of prayer.

Christians need to test the spirits within and without! There is too much deception, and many Christians are falling away in the midst of it all. It is interesting that the Church is the first place certain people run to when they need mass endorsement. It is even more interesting that they can't or won't speak against certain rights groups, fraternal, civic organisations and even other religions, but they have no hesitation coming against Christianity with great intensity.

Many Christians are ashamed to quote Bible verses. However, Christians must use the Word to test the authenticity of anything presented to them.

Some are even ashamed to be called 'pastor'. They prefer to be addressed as 'doctor'. So, now those have found themselves lost in the middle of arguments on world views and in the position of compromise.

Christians must be able to discern true from false prophets/teachers. A false prophet is not one who gives a word that does not come to pass. It is one who presents the way of salvation or of sanctification as other than the cross (2 Peter 2).

They engage in subtle reasoning, heresy, science, evolution, philosophical views and twist scriptures and words, moving people from the path. They exploit instead of develop.

Christians, do not be caught unawares nor be oblivious. Discern the truth and recognise that the enemy is more dangerous within than without.

Steve Lyston is a biblical economics consultant and author of several books, including 'End Time Finance' and 'The New Millionaire'.