Know Thine Enemy 15

The scriptures and truths in this article were either provided or inspired by my Pastor, Kent McBay.

2 Timothy 3:1: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

It is encouraging to note that the increase in apostasy and heresy are evidence that we are in the last days before Jesus* glorious return. We will soon enter the paradise where we will be with Him forever. But that does not mean we should relax in fighting against Satan here and now. We should fight against Him with all our might.

Because apostasy and heresy are so wide-spread in America and the world today, if we are to fight against those things, we must know what they do and what they are like. Satan is actually in charge of many churches and religions today. We ought to study the following passage in great depth to know the characteristics of the false spiritual leaders.

2 Timothy 3:2-7: For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The foremost noticeable characteristic of the false spiritual leaders will be self-centeredness (lovers of their own selves). They will be covetous. That characteristic is abundantly obvious in the money-hungry ministries. They will be boasters, glorifying self rather than God. They will be proud. They will be blasphemers. I was shocked when I visited a church recently where the Pastor was profane and used the name of the Lord in vain twice in my presence. They are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. They have a great deal of education and knowledge but they are never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Satan will certainly not want you to attend a Biblical church. He would far and away prefer that you attend the least Biblical one you can find or not attend one at all. He would prefer you attend one that is rife with false doctrine, apostasy and heresy. He would prefer that you belong to religions that have no Bible teaching, that do not claim to believe or obey the Bible or even some that are actively and boldly anti-Christian and anti-Bible.

Hebrews 10:25: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Following is a wonderful example of a church that steadfast Christians will be a part of.

Acts 2:42-47: And they continued stedfastly in the apostles* doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Satan does not want people to saved and he does not want Biblical churches to grow. He does not want us to be part of one. When Christians are not regularly part of a church, they have surrendered something very valuable to Satan. They have lost a battle and are guaranteed to lose many more. They will not have the strengthening help of other believers. They will not have other believers praying for them in their struggles against Satan.

Care to discuss Know Thine Enemy 15 with Ron?

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