Why are people so easily misled? Why do corrupt preachers and politicians have such an easy time deceiving people? How many times will Christians fall for the same lies? All a person has to do is mention "Jesus" and use a few religious phrases, and the simple-minded are ready to give him (or her) their full devotion. Of course, this has always been a problem; but things are obviously waxing progressively worse in these last days:
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Saul was loved by the people on the basis of his outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). The Lord condemned such reckless judgment:
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
The Apostle Paul also had to deal with the shallowness of many saints. Some despised his appearance:
2 Corinthians 10:10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the SIMPLE.
Hillary Clinton (in a Democratic debate) claimed that she was glad to have a "prayer chain" (people praying for her). I do not think her language was accidental. Men like Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter are experts at this religious language. They can quote Biblical phrases in such a manner that thousands are led to believe that the Lord Jesus actually endorsed the modern Welfare State!
But many Republicans refuse to be outdone by the Bible quoting Democrats. For example, George Bush is not a greenhorn when it comes to using religious language. In one State of the Union address, he exclaimed:
"There's power, wonder-working power, in the goodness and idealism and faith of the American people."
Our holy hymn reads that there is wonder working power in the BLOOD OF THE LAMB. Therefore, Bush's exclamation was not only a well-planned, psychological manipulation (e.g. Edward Bernays), it was also blasphemous! Likely, what Bush really meant was that there is a "wonder working" freedom to do whatever one wishes as President due to the goodness and GULLIBILITY of the American people - especially many Christians. Along this line, David Kuo ("Tempting Faith"), a Bush insider (former second-in-command of the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives), stated that Christians were being used and manipulated by Republican political leaders who privately despise them:
"National Christian leaders received hugs and smiles in person and then were dismissed behind their backs and described as 'ridiculous,' 'out of control,' and just plain 'goofy."
The real "wonder" is not that leaders in American politics use religion; the incredible thing is that it actually works! No matter how many times people have had their faces rubbed in the mud, they are soon back and ready for more deception. Even God wonders about such things!:
Jeremiah 5:30 A WONDERFUL and horrible thing is committed in the land;
31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and MY PEOPLE LOVE TO HAVE IT SO: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
What then, is the answer? Christians must choose to obey the Bible! We are warned not to be gullible in judgment:
Proverbs 14:15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
The Lord Jesus Christ teaches us to judge FRUIT, not LEAVES!:
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
What is the difference between fruit and leaves? Fruit takes more TIME to arrive! Therefore, we must not judge anything based on appearances alone. We must not believe politicians or televangelists, simply because they have a big smile, use positive, religious language, and speak to people as if they are little children. We must judge people by their history, by their record, by what they have actually done (fruit) - NOT what they promise during election time!
For example, can you guess which politician said the following words?:
"We will fight the Atheistic Movement."
"This human world of ours would be inconceivable without the practical existence of a religious belief."
"My feelings as a Christian point me to my Lord and Savior as a fighter."
"What we have to fight for. . .is the freedom and independence. . .so that our people may be enabled to fulfill the mission assigned to it by the Creator."
"I fell down on my knees and thanked Heaven from an overflowing heart for granting me the good fortune of being permitted to live at this time."
"We want to fill our culture again with the Christian spirit."
These are quotes from Adolf Hitler! He was an expert at using Christian language to beguile the simple-minded. Joseph Goebbels, the infamous Nazi leader, noted in his diary in 1939 that Hitler was deeply "anti-Christian." In fact, the Nazis revived paganism, and despised Christianity as a weakness. But, like many today, they knew how to use Christian language to beguile the simple-minded sheep to gain power.
There were some men who were not fooled by Hitler. They looked beyond the emotional hype. They ignored the bewitching promises that appealed to the emotions and fears of the religious masses. They judged righteous judgment! Yet, sadly, they were mocked and despised. Hitler taught his supporters to laugh loudly, humiliate and mock all opposition.
Let us wake up as Christians and expose all frauds and liars! Many deceivers are counting on either your passivity, or your continued stupidity. Let us judge men by their true record; and let us read between the smiles, the tears, the one-liners, and the religious language and symbolism! It is time for Christians to say, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!" |
Top
