1 Thessalonica Series - The Temper's snares: Deception

        

The Tempter’s Snares: Deception

1 Thes. 2:17-3:5

In our world today, there are many temptation’s that are set out to ensnare those who are ignorant and foolish, as well as those who are rebellious, proud, and arrogant. Even among the believers, Satan has set traps, temptations by those who look righteous but are like their master, Satan, angels of light. “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” (2 Cor. 11:13-15) Paul knew that these would come, for Jesus had said, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.” (Matt. 24:4-5) 

Let’s begin with the first portion of the text,  “But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 

While Paul was away from the church in Thessalonica and in Athens and Corinth, he had heard of the false apostle (super apostle) and knew he must reach out to the church, though he couldn’t come himself. So he sent the letter delivered by Timothy. Paul knew the loneliness of orphanage, and other circumstances that weigh on his soul and spirit in his mission endeavors. He longed to hear and see those he had reared as a parent (1 Thes. 2:7,11) in the faith, but Satan had blocked his way. Paul knew the battle against Satan and his angels of light. He knew that he didn’t fight against people (flesh and blood) “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 6:12). These powers were working through people who had twisted the scripture, spread deceit, and were good at telling the people what they wanted to hear in the flesh through false prophecies, leading them into trap.

Application - I have been serving God for over forty years. I have seen cult communities. I have talked to those in religions that have made their own versions of the Bible in order to verify their doctrines of demons. In these last days, Jesus as well as Paul preached, we will encounter people who are very smooth in speech and acts. As Paul said they gather people around them who want their ears tickled with words that cannot be tested by scripture, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Tim.4:3). The term “Itching ears" is used in the Bible to represent individuals who seek out messages and doctrines that condone their own lifestyle, as opposed to adhering to the teachings of the Word of God.

Jesus told us, every word that comes from the Holy Spirit would be his or the Fathers. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” (John 16:13-15). 

Prophecies from the Holy Spirit will come and be aligned with the context of the Scripture. All prophecies spoken about the future are already in the scripture. There is no need for further revelations or dreams that do not align with the scripture. Scripture doesn’t need addendums or appendixes. It is the complete Word of God for the church. So let us be vigilant of these angels of light, and be like the Bereans, people who know how to handle the Word of God and search everything said by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to know that it is God speaking.

Last, Paul addressed his desire to encourage the church to be built up in the faith even in the midst of trials, as he had in Colosse. “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Col.2:6-8) 

Let’s look at the next portion of text, “We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.”

Paul knew the need to walk according to the Word of God and the Spirit of God. From the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus, Paul knew that the trials of his faith would come and he would be persecuted, beaten, and maligned. He knew that the church would be anxious and fearful, but they needed to trust in the Gospel of Jesus Christ that was taught to them when they first believed. For the church would struggle and be unsettled by these trials. “These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed…because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (1 Pet. 1:7, James 1:3-4) 

But it was in these trials, the church would need to be encouraged and strengthened. For Paul knew that every believer was destined for them, persecution would come, but believing in the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ would set them free from the hands of the enemy of God in their spirit and soul. Jesus told the believers that those dressed in sheep clothing would come deceiving and dividing, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them…Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions …” (Matt. 7:15-16 NIV, MSG) 

Paul loved his flock and would lead them beside safe waters, in green pastures, and safe from predators, but he knew in the world there would be many trials and temptations. All the sheep needed to do was trust in the Good Shepherd who truly loved them with his very life.

Application - We all need encouragement and the knowledge that we are not alone in these trials. Jesus sent his Spirit to guide and comfort us. I don’t like confrontations anymore than the next conservative guy. I know that I don’t fight against people, they are just the vessel that the enemy has chosen. We must walk in the faith of our Lord Jesus and as the Psalmist said, “By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. I’ve committed myself and I’ll never turn back from living by your righteous order. Everything’s falling apart on me, God; put me together again with your Word. Adorn me with your finest sayings, God; teach me your holy rules. My life is as close as my own hands, but I don’t forget what you have revealed. The wicked do their best to throw me off track, but I don’t swerve an inch from your course. I inherited your book on living; it’s mine forever— what a gift! And how happy it makes me! I concentrate on doing exactly what you say— I always have and always will.” (Ps.119:105-112 MSG)

It is walking in the Spirit that we can discern the things of the spirits. 

We also know that through trials we are to persevere and trust in the Lord, not our feelings or our finite understandings. As Jesus said in the garden, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt. 26:41) and Solomon said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov.3:5-6) It is life in the Spirit of the Lord that we will be guided and discern the trials we are facing in the world. Paul told Timothy (and us) that "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” and “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (2 Tim.3:12)

This is our confidence, encouragement, strength, and our hope, it is in the words of Jesus Christ, not in the words of men. Be a Berean, check what is said by the Word of God, if it is not there in context with the scripture, then you know it comes from the evil one and those he has snared.

I’m again including the ABC’s of salvation (JD Farag). Please, Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. And he wants to empower you with the Holy Spirit. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second, B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis