Watch Out

Watch out for those who cause division. Beware of those who have an appearance of godliness but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Jesus warned about them and Paul said, “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;” 

In these last days, there are many deceivers and wicked people that have come to lead many astray. Even in churches and among those who are religious, this is a widespread problem. On the outside, they appear to have it all figured out. But it is just a facade, a mask that covers what is truly in their hearts. Beware of them.

But understand this, that in the last days, there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

They have been sent by the devil to deceive, tempt, and drag many away from the true faith of Jesus Christ. Be alert and watchful. They hide in sheep’s clothing. The Spirit of the Lord will reveal their true nature. The fruit of their deeds will reveal the truth of what they are within.

Many times the self-righteous churchgoer can be the hardest to detect. Because on the outside they wear niceness and have the ability to say all the right things. But watch yourself carefully so that you do not get tricked by their smooth and flattering talk. Once you are ensnared by their deceptive tongue it is hard to break free.

God gives a grave warning to those who are walking in religion and not by the Spirit of the Lord. To those who are faking the walk. To those whose lives have become a religious show or performance instead of in truth of heart and soul. God will deal more strictly with those who know better but do what is evil anyway.

Then I will make you go down with those who go down to the pit, to the people of old, and I will make you to dwell in the world below, among ruins from of old, with those who go down to the pit, so that you will not be inhabited, but I will set beauty in the land of the living. I will bring you to a dreadful end, and you shall be no more. Though you be sought for, you will never be found again, declares the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 26:20-21

If this is you or you have been fooled by them, pray that the Lord will break you free. It will not happen without the breaking force of the Spirit of the Lord. The power only comes through submission to Jesus Christ.

If you do not walk with the Lord in these dark and wicked days, you will fall into temptation and deception. You may think you are on the right road but if you continue to do what is evil such as gossiping, abusiveness, ungratefulness, deceitfulness, and any other wicked practice you are fooling yourself. You are actually following the ways of the devil.

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”— my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. Proverbs 1:10-16

Keep yourself holy, pure, and true to the ways and commands of the Lord. Looking only to Jesus for direction, strength, refuge, and hope. Once you have found them out do not entertain their ways, but forgive them and pray that the Lord may rebuke them and bring repentance. Because just as it is for you, Jesus Christ is their only salvation, if they repent. He was merciful and gracious to you, may He be merciful to them as well.

But if they will not turn and repent, their blood and sins will be on their own heads. Leave them be and avoid them. Follow the Lord, cleanse your hearts, purify your minds, and cast any wicked behind you. Stand apart and continue to walk in the righteousness of the Lord.

Give everything into the Lord’s hands. He is faithful. He will lead you and show you the truth. He will direct your steps, making your path straight when others beacon you to follow them. You will not be led astray either to the right or the left when your eyes are on Jesus. He will guide you. Causing you to go the right way. For His lovingkindness for His children is everlasting and He will not let you be lead astray.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21