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Enlightened Christians Are Not Fooled

by Dr. Henderson Ward  
11/10/2016 / Christian Living

From the time humans were created, and the true record shows that the place was in modern day Iraq, they were faced with complex questions, that had complex and serious repercussions if they answered those questions wrong. Looking back, we know that Adam and Eve failed miserably to decipher the extreme subtlety and deviousness of the serpent's wanting to help them to open their eyes, so that they can be as "gods".

Subterfuge began in the Garden of Eden, it has continued unabated in the world ever since, and it reigns supreme in the world of politics.

Evil, and all forms of wickedness, are nearly always wrapped up in subterfuge. This is because subterfuge works, and because it works, it is used over and over again.

Defense lawyers use subterfuge because they know that their criminal clients are guilty, but if they can fool the jury through deception, or some ploy, then they have a good chance of their client being found not guilty.

Take a famous example; the O.J.Simpson murder trial in the USA that began on January 24, 1995, and finished on October 3, 1995, when Simpson was acquitted.

This was probably the biggest miscarriage of justice in the history of the world, and a man who was as guilty as sin, who was driving frenetically up and down the highway crying and balling out like a madman, because he probably thought he was going to be executed for his heinous crimes, was acquitted through the subterfuge of a smart lawyer. This, of course, is an oversimplification of the situation, but you get the picture.

Subterfuge works.

Many people have said that if they were on the jury they would have found O.J.Simpson guilty as charged. Maybe.

Many Christians, whom you think should know better, are as easily fooled through subterfuge as the most uncaring, clueless person in the world.

Take for example the case of the sincere prophet who was fooled comprehensively, and lost his life, because he fell prey to the subterfuge of another prophet. The whole sorry saga is told in the Bible, 1 Kings chapter 13.

We know why people are fooled, they are looking for easy answers that are simply not there, they are looking for solutions from the wrong people, they grasp at straws not caring that the straws have no substance, they fail to probe a little deeper, they suspend their good judgement, etc.

But why are Christians being fooled? Christians know how clever Satan is, and we are warned, "Be careful for nothing;" (Philippians 4:6), and to be on our guard, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8), and we know that Satan is deceptive, "...for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14)

Christians know a lot about the Bible, but those that are fooled are the ones that pick and choose when they follow the Holy Spirit.

Some Christians will invoke God's presence when they think something is of huge importance, when they have some big decision to make, when there is a life or death situation. But at all other times they do their own thing.

This is their error, and the reason why they get fooled.

Prayer and fasting in combination was never meant to be the daily ritual of the Christian's life, it was meant to be for special occasions. Some things are tough and need special and intense focus through prayer and fasting to resolve. The Bible uses sentences like, "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." (Mark 9:29) and, "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." (Matthew 17:21)

We can have different views as to what we should fast and pray for, but it is plainly true that we should do so as occasion demands. This means that is has to be personal, since each person needs are different, and corporate, as for example, if the assembly is fasting and praying for something special, like revival.

While prayer and fasting should be occasional, living in the spirit should not. Here is what the Bible says, "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16). In other words, live the way the Spirit leads you, and you cannot be fooled by Satan's subterfuge.

Remember that when we are converted, we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, and from that moment it is true that, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." (Romans 8:16)

Since God's spirit is with us, bearing witness to our divine affiliation, we need to pay attention to what the Spirit is saying in all situations for us never to be fooled; because while as humans we can be fooled, as Eve was fooled in the Garden, as long as the Holy Spirit is in attendance, then He cannot be fooled.

How often have you heard people say things like, "If I had pay heed to the Spirit, I would not have done that" and this is usually when they have done something wrong. Take the case of a Christian watering her garden thoroughly, and a few minutes after she has finished the rain fell for hours.

So what does it mean to walk or live in the spirit?

First, it means to be genuinely converted. Some people think that because they were brought up in church, and attend regularly, that they are saved; and that is not so. To be saved you have to be born again (John 3:3)

Second, it means complying fully with the Holy Scriptures. All our affections, thoughts and habits must be brought into line to agree and be compatible with God's will. This is what the Bible means when it says, "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." (Matthew 11:6)

Third, it means always obeying God. As heart-wrenching as it is, some Christians call Jesus "Lord" and do not understand what that means. Jesus said this, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." (John 15:14)

Fourth, it means being fully sanctified. Entire sanctification is for all Christians, not just for a sacred few. When you are wholly sanctified, you reach a level of love for God and people that defines your spiritual maturity. The Bible says, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Fifth, it means listening to and being guided by the Spirit. This is the key to it all for it is the Spirit that , "...when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth..." (John 16:13) It is a fact that Christians who are wayward, and like to do their own thing, often end up relying on their own judgments rather than as directed and influenced by the Holy Spirit.

Enlightened Christians are discerning Christians, because they put God first in everything, and keep close to Him, and God in turn is there, through the Holy Spirit, looking out for their interest, comforting, protecting and giving proper guidance so that they are not fooled by the adversary.

Enough said.

Books by this author you may wish to read.

THINGS EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD KNOW (e-book)
Volume 1 Five tough facts to be faced
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YX5NSI

STAND UP TO THE DEVIL (e-book)
Volume 1 You must first identify him
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BQVLSS

BASTARD: A STORY OF REDEMPTION(e-book fiction)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006OF3SD6

ONE MINUTE TO MIDNIGHT ON GOD'S CLOCK (Hard copy)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002X78D16

ONE MINUTE TO MIDNIGHT ON GOD'S CLOCK (e-book)
http://tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60799-630-9

Dr. Henderson Ward received his Doctor of Divinity in theology, with distinction, from Masters International School of Divinity, USA, where he is currently a post-doctoral fellow. Dr. Ward's career involved pastoring, evangelism, and teaching. Copyright 2017

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