With ever greater capabilities to deceive with Artificial Intelligence (AI), how does the Church protect itself against deception? “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1John 4:1 KJV). When commanded to “believe not” (4:1), it is implied that God gives us the ability not to be deceived. Only the Spirit of God can give us that ability. But, you say, Judas Iscariot fooled the Apostles. Perhaps. Judas Iscariot was baptized like the rest, and he had a position of trust, for he “had the bag, and bare what was put therein” (John 12:6). But, Christ, the Head of the Church was never fooled. Ananias and Sapphira were also baptized, but Peter countered, “Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?” (Acts 5:3). Only the Spirit of God is able to protect us against the lie. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25 NIV). A supernatural protection from deception is given, when we “keep in step with the Spirit” (5:25). When Saul of Tarsus came forward as a new disciple; the other disciples were naturally wary. But, the Lord provided the testimony of Barnabas to overcome their wariness (Acts 9:27). Not too fast and not too slow, disciples are cautioned to walk “in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25) to keep from being deceived. LORD, Your Spirit is our defense against deception. May we reasonably use all tools at our disposal to avoid being deceived by the enemy, but they will only work unless You bless them. Help us to obey Your command not to be deceived. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Deception
What’s Real, What’s Not?
With generative-AI tools, our ability to determine genuine content online or on social media is becoming increasingly difficult. Finding content on this blog, Tik Tok, or Wikipedia does not establish its veracity or truthfulness. We are required by God, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1Thessalonians 5:21 KJV). Government agencies, internet search engines, or social media gatekeepers may be entrusted to filter the garbage or trash, but it will come with the inevitable cost of limiting free speech. Compare everything to Jesus, who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The Word of God is the tool Christ has given to filter everything. “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth” (17:17). God has given us His Spirit to determine what’s real. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1John 4:1). If we leave the determination simply to human gatekeepers, then we will inevitably be deceived and deserve whatever we get. LORD, raise up Your people as truth speakers and discerners of the truth. Create in us a willingness to actively engage You the Truth that we will be able to discern what is false. We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Holy Ground
Every bush, a burning bush. All ground, holy ground. The old time religion of evangelists of long ago urged converts to daily live their religious experience, like the LORD commanding Moses. “Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5 KJV). Such honest converts become stalwarts of the faith, will not be drawn into the deception of the Antichrist, and will be translated by their Lord to glory. May we be of that number!
Daze of Deception
UFOs are lying wonders. Recently, I ran across this series of YouTube videos (3 hours), “Daze of Deception: Part 1,” “Daze of Deception: Part 2,” and “Daze of Deception: Part 3” from Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel (Chino Hills, CA). We must be getting pretty far along into the Last Days for us to be discussing this stuff out loud in Bible preaching churches. My wife and I used to identify the phenomenon of UFOs as “lying wonders” (2Thesssalonians 2:9 KJV). In context, the “lawless one” (2:9 NIV) refers to the Antichrist, which Jack Hibbs identifies as Nephilim. This is Twilight Zone stuff that respectable evangelical pastors know better than to discuss from their pulpits. I wonder how many have much of an idea how to biblically discuss UFOs and UAPs? Without knowing about Jack Hibbs, I commented on this in earlier posts. (1), (2), (3), and (4).
If NASA really makes an announcement about UAPs before the end of 2023, I wonder how they’ll get around an admission of ET being from another dimension, undefined by our current understanding of the laws of physics? “NASA has not found any credible evidence of extraterrestrial life and there is no evidence that UAPs are extraterrestrial.” Even the Roman Pontiff would be willing to baptize aliens, if they felt they needed it. If Jesus was just another alien, then there is nothing special about the Bible, and it would be unnecessary “to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” (Jude 1:3 NIV). All the wildfires, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, wars (Ukraine), and rumors of wars (China, North Korea) are falling into place with Matthew 24. “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28 NIV).
The Bible is our only credible explanation of what is going on. This will shake out the wheat from the chaff. “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8 NIV).
Maranatha!
James 1 Commentary
Practical Christian Wisdom from the New Testament Book of James
A Letter of Practical Christian Wisdom
Introduction (1:1)
Verse 1: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings” (James 1:1 NIV).
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1 NIV) tells us that the writer of this letter was James, a younger half-brother of Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 13:55). Once a bonafide skeptic (Mark 3:21) of the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14) of his Older Brother, James had now been transformed to become His ardent supporter, humbling himself not only as a “servant [Greek, doulos, slave] of God” (1:1 NIV), but equally, a bond servant by choice of Jesus, who he now admits to be the Jewish Messiah and his master. James’ choice of calling himself a “servant of God” (1:1 NIV) is consistent with the teachings of Christ. “Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me” (John 12:26 NIV). We are servants of the Lord with the benefit of God directing our choices in life. Remember, we are not here to figure out how to use God, but how He can use us. This epistle or letter was addressed to the “twelve tribes scattered among the nations” (1:1 NIV), since the Early Church was originally Jewish converts returning to their homes from the Acts 2 Pentecost, as well as, to the converted Jewish brothers and sisters “scattered among the nations” (1:1 NIV) by the persecutions of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 8:1). NT scholars date this epistle as sometime before 62 AD, when James was martyred by King Herod (Acts 12:2). The Romans did not destroy Jerusalem and the Temple until 70 AD. “Greetings” (1:1 NIV) is the expected salutation, since this is a letter.
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