Pastor's Letter

Pastor's Weekly Letter

An Ingram Insight

Be Not Deceived
By Dr. Billy Ingram

One of the most compelling and captivating warnings ever penned; was issued by the apostle Paul to the church at Galatia. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8
The introduction of this caveat follows his instruction regarding the law of reciprocity: “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” (Galatians 6:6) In other words, it is the responsibility of those who are taught to take care of the material needs of their teachers.
Unfortunately, some people never make the connection about their spiritual obligation to their teachers; they simply receive the benefit and blessing of good Bible instruction and ignore the financial and physical needs of those who give them spiritual guidance. We should generously support our teachers — showing them honor and appreciation for all they do.
In the same lesson on sowing into the lives of our leaders, Paul issues this strong and intense warning — “Be not deceived.” He asserts that life is about weighing scales and even balances. If a man permits his sinful nature to dominate him, in the end he can expect nothing but a harvest of misfortune and mess. But if he persists in pursuing the Lord’s way and doing the right thing, in the end God will repay.
This we definitely need to remember — though it is true that God can and does forgive men for their sins, he does not however wipe out the consequence of sin. For instance, if a man abuses his body with drugs, alcohol, or illicit sex with multiple partners, sooner or later he will pay through damaged and destroyed health and even death.
Simple and specific is the warning of Paul to the Ephesians: “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” (Ephesians 5:6)
Alfred Montapert’s words are a compliment to Paul’s: “Every person has free choice. Free to obey or disobey the Natural Laws. Your choice determines the consequences. Nobody ever did, or ever will, escape the consequences of his choices.”
The Bible demonstrates that we cannot cover or conceal our transgressions. Solomon wrote: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
Although, we may be able to screen and suppress them for a minute and even appear to be getting away with them for a years. But at the end of the day, the time will inevitably come when we must face up to them, either in this world or in the next.
The scripture teaches that eternal life is a free gift granted on the basis of God’s loving grace; but every believer will still be judged by Christ not to determine whether they are saved, but to ascertain if they are worthy to be rewarded for the life they have lived.
Each person, sooner or later, will sit down to a banquet of consequences. The Bible says: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10
On another occasion, Paul delivered this thunderous admonition regarding the representatives of Satan: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Down through the ages one of Satan’s most effective lines of attack against mankind has been deception. He is skillful and a specialist at making things seem to be what they really are not — through the amalgamation of truth and lies that serve his purposes much better than out-and-out, full-blown error.
Our society is clearly permeated by strong satanic influences, and deceptive schemes that are designed to persuade us to acquiesce to an attitude and existence that is in actual fact against God and sold-out for self. The New Testament sums it up this way: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
Almost certainly the most famous narrative of deception takes place at the dawn of time, in the land of Paradise, called the Garden of Eden. The strategy of the devil was simple — he lured our first parents into believing that they could gain more in life by disobeying God and suffer no consequences by embracing his promise: “...ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5
Of course, every serious student of the Bible knows how this story ended, and the eternal repercussions that have influenced and affected the entire human-race. No wonder Paul writes: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:11-12
We must be mindful that Satan and his emissaries can deceive us by appearing to be beautiful, well-behaved, and even ethical. Tragically there are scores of unsuspecting and unsuspicious individuals who go all-out for smooth-talking, Bible-quoting charismatic charlatans, into an army of the blind leading the ignorant and unformed.
Paul lamented over the believers in Ephesus and he intimated that the church was still most vulnerable to a two-prone attack: “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:29-30
False teachers are plenteous today. We would do well to be cautious and careful of those whose silly, superficial, and small-minded words sound spiritual, but who are actually captivated and motivated by money, fame and power.
Jesus was able to overcome the devil’s scheme by absolute obedience to God — fully embracing the power of the word of God. We too must master and obey the truth that we might be able to quickly identify the cunning, crafty, and clever lies of the enemy...