This message may shock those who have been attending church for many years. But many churchgoers in this day and age walk in the same fraudulent and deceptive spirits as the house of Israel from days of old. You may say, “How could that be?” But it is true.
They go to church and praise the Lord with their lips, lifting their hands to heaven, singing great songs of praise, and crying tears of joy and celebration, all in His name. Yet, the act of worshipping God and looking holy has become a show; it is an act they put on to cover their hidden sins. They listen intently to the words spoken from the pulpit. They praise the preacher and teacher for the good words of inspiration, instruction, and warning.
They may even listen to worship music in their car, sermons, and gospel messages, and talk about doctrinal statements, biblical principles, and Greek and Hebrew word translations. They do good works for men to see. But their hearts are far from God. They have not given their whole body, soul, mind, and spirit to Him, but they hold back. Always remember, God knows what is truly in the heart.
And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,” “Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord, And their works are in the dark;” Isaiah 29:13,15
They do all these things and yet walk in the way of lawlessness, rebellion, and disobedience in their heart. They leave the sanctuary’s four walls and the company of other Christian friends to dive headlong into sinful practices, evil thoughts, and vial behaviors in the secrecy of their own homes or minds.
As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together, they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
“Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:10-18
Even now, if they read this message of warning spoken, they will not listen. They will not turn from their deceptive and wicked ways. It goes in one ear and out the other.
After the message of repentance and God’s forgiveness, they will turn and continue as before. They love their sin too much to give it up to live in righteousness. No, they will not budge from their determinant course; no matter the consequences, they will do as they please. Otherwise, they would have already repented. But this is a warning that you may be aware of their falsehood.
But the people have not returned to Him who struck them, nor have they sought the Lord Almighty. Isaiah 9:13
Truly, this is the sad truth. Those who understand the truth follow and obey the Lord Jesus Christ and His commandments. But for those who are false, their final destination is Hell if they do not repent.
Understand that many great leaders, doctrine writers, and modern teachings are deceiving multitudes. Others believe their great knowledge of Scripture, church attendance, and earthly works, and others believe that their higher biblical scholastics have given them approval from God. Does this sound familiar? They are like what Jesus said of the Pharisees. They think they are safe because of their religious practices. It’s a lie from the devil himself.
Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” John 5:39-40
But the reality of their position before God could not be further from the truth. They are not safe from going to Hell; God has not changed their heart, mind, or soul. Because there is no repentance, they are in serious trouble if the Lord God does not intervene.
Indeed, the word given by the prophet Ezekiel has come to pass in this time. The falsehood of their ways is so plain to see. Yet, they can not see past the tip of their nose. They have fallen headlong into the devil’s deception, the flashing lure of religion, and the sin that deceives them into running full force toward the devil’s trap. The sharp hook of the devil’s snare has been fastened securely in their jaw.
“As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, say to one another, each to his brother, ‘Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’ And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say, but they will not do it;
for with lustful talk in their mouths, they act; their heart is set on their gain. And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it. When this comes—and come it will!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” Ezekiel 33:30-33
Only God can save them now; only God can sheer the wicked steel cable holding them down. Only Jesus Christ can break off the malicious hook that keeps them in deception. He is their only hope for salvation. It all happens according to His will. But you must be aware of their deception so you will not fall for the same folly.
Indeed, in their case, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears, they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ Matthew 13:14-15
Are you listening? Do you recognize those guilty of such things? Have you been deceived and continue to ignore the warnings? Have you fallen into the devil’s deception? Or do you know those you loved who have?
Pray that the Lord opens eyes to see and ears to hear in these tumultuous times. Pray that if it is you, God will have mercy on your soul and give you repentance. He rushes His Holy Spirit on the dead and dry bones of the rebellious and disobedient to those who humble themselves. May God give forgiveness and new life to the blind, deaf, and weak, in Jesus’ name.
But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He thus fulfilled. Repent, therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets long ago. Acts 3:18-21
Turn to the Lord that He may change your heart and desires. Repent of your sins and fall before Him, crying out for forgiveness. Seek Him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Then, start doing His work for Him and others. It is not about us. It is all about saving souls.
God will listen, He will hear, and He will do as He promised to cleanse you of all your sins and establish you in the place He has prepared for you. But you must do it soon. Time is running out. You must forsake your sin and evil ways. You must give up on your life and give it all to Jesus.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? Matthew 16:26
The Soul Sower 