Don't Be Fooled

These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 

 

I recently read a story about a woman who had just graduated from a prestigious culinary academy in France.  She decided she had to put her new skills to the test at a elegant reception at the home of a prominent physician, so she prepared a pate, put it on some imported crackers, topped the pate with an imported cheese wedge, bacon chips, and a sliver of pimento.  She put her hors d'oeuvres on shiny silver platters and placed them on the reception table.  The guests at the reception raved over the treats and tray after tray disappeared quickly.  What she didn't tell anyone was her pate came from a can of Alpo dog food.

 

Remember how many times Lucy could convince Charlie Brown to kick the football only to to fool him time after time as she yanked the ball away at the last moment?  We are rather like Charlie Brown and the reception guests if we are not careful.

 

I used to attend a church where the pastor delivered amazing sermons complete with incredible power point presentations.  Eventually it was revealed that the pastor did not study for his sermons, nor did he even write them.  He downloaded them from a subscription service and merely read them verbatim.  I had been fooled into believing the pastor I admired was spending a LOT of time in prayer and study each week.

 

Listen, just because something looks good doesn't make it good.  Just because someone has words that seem plausible, does not make them true.  It is OUR responsibility to study for ourselves the Bible so we won't be fooled by pretty sounding messages.  I am extremely leery of any "pastor" who does not reference the Bible, rather delivers a "feel good" talk.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of pastors who preach gloom and doom all the time either.  What I want to hear is the TRUTH!  And I will study to see if what I am being told is true.  How about you?