Don’t Be Deceived

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Someone very close to our family was recently delivered from a very legalistic church.

Much of God’s Word speaks directly to false leadership and deception. We have watched God answer our prayers day by day through the progression of this entire family’s eyes opening to the see the real motives of this wicked pastor–they were deceived by his appearance of conservatism. He taught obedience—to him not God.

Why do so many well meaning Christian get caught in legalistic trappings or churches with false leaders???

I believe it is because we are desperate for order and rules. “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.” We gravitate toward and esteem most highly, those who are the most conservative and moral. However, Jesus told some of the most upstanding citizens that publicans and harlots would enter the kingdom before they would. Those who consider themselves “godly” may be further from the Kingdom than the lowest sinner.

God looks in our hearts — many sinners even the demon possessed humbled themselves before God while some in church leadership were so self righteous and puffed up that they completely missed God. Man looks at outward appearances God examines the condition of the heart.

God looks for loyalty: For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. 2Chron 16:9a

God looks at our motives: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21

God looks at our thoughts: And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? Matthew 9:4

God looks at our response to His Word: But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Luke 8:15
God looks at our worship. This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Matthew 15:8

How to tell– look at the fruit:

Do you see love or an attitude of superiority?
Do you see joy or worry?
Do you see peace or conflict?
Do you see long suffering or demanding compliance?
Do you see gentleness or contemptable attitudes?
Do you see goodness or strict compliance to church mandated convictions?
Do you see faith in God or dependency on church?
Do you see meekness or aggression?
Do you see temperance or extremes?

We all need to spend time teaching our children to look for fruit!

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There Are 10 Responses So Far. »

Comment by Karen from the Korner :

Hello!

I just wanted to say thank you for stopping by my blog and for leaving your comments. I have looking around your blog here and really enjoy it. I just joined your Sunday Seven meme. That one sounds like fun! I just read this post and loved it! I grew up in a church that is independent baptist, but basically a cult in my eyes. (I am not saying Independent Baptists are cults – that is just the classification this particular church put themselves in.)I grew up not celebrating Easter or Christmas. The pastor had multiple affairs with women in the church and is still pastor. Abuse goes on with some of the women. The pastor is the sole authority of this church. And I could go on and on – but I won’t. My parents pulled our family out when I was 16. And they are with a very grounded church and me and my family are with a very grounded church as well. Sorry for rambling (I usually don’t ramble so), but I just really enjoyed this post and I know it will help others too. Thank you!

God Bless~
Karen
Comment by TeachingHisWays :

Thank you for sharing this and reminding us to look for the fruit that is produced. It also helps us to remember to check the production of our own fruit. Does it smell sweet? Is it rotten? Are we producing any at all or have we become dormant? Thanks again.
Blessings,
Stacy
Comment by Alicia :

Just read this post today and wanted to let you know it was helpful.
Trackback by DsBooksNMore :

@heartofwisdom ~ This is a wonderful, heartfelt, blessing to read. Love the “How To Tell” tool too… —–> http://budurl.com/legalistic
Comment by D w/ dsbooksnmore :

What a blessing this read is. And, what a blessing that God answered the prayers for this family.

Prayer is a mighty powerful blessing given to us. I only wish more people believed in this wonderful hot line to God and the power that prayer possesses.

This is truly turbulent times and God’s Word is being attacked more so today than any other time in history in a broad range of deceit. Deceit that has, over many years of slow infiltration, caused much turmoil and a loss of direction. Not just in certain sectors of our nation but on a global wide basis by those we have been taught to trust. Those in high places with high admiration of the people.

Your, “How to tell– look at the fruit”, is a wonderful tool for those who are searching for God and those who are just struggling to get through all the misdirection of today’s world.

Thank you for sharing this. I will definitely share this with others.

D
Ds Books N More
http://www.dsbooksnmore.com
Trackback by Miss Jocelyn :

RT: @heartofwisdom: Is your church is caught up in legalism? http://budurl.com/legalistic Teach your children how to recognize legalism.
Trackback by Lisa :

Is your church is caught up in legalism? http://budurl.com/legalistic Do you see love or an attitude of superiority?=Why I “left” KJV-only
Comment by Miss Jocelyn :

Thank you for this Mrs. Sampson. It was a great read and very enlightening. Thank you for always being a source of encouragement!

<3 u
Comment by JB :

I have been in churches that I later discovered had “Pharisees” oozing from everywhere. GLAD to be away from “Pharisaic mindset” now!

Using your checklist I can say that I saw (almost daily) in those places:
an attitude of superiority; ongoing conflict; demanding compliance; contemptible attitudes (and actions); aggression (open hostility with threats made).

When I challenged these things I was made to feel like I was the one who was wrong. Went to a Christian counselor to learn to deal with emotional abuse.
Comment by Andreea :

Please,pray for me,I think Im a legalist.. But the problem is I feel like things I do are from God and I feel guilty if I give up my interdictions etc.. Please help me!

I don’t want to lose the relationship with Jesus and heaven..so what can I do? My email is : givemewingstfly@yahoo.com

Who wants to help can write there, Thank u Jesus bless u