2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Cults like the “People’s Temple”, lead by the Reverend Jim Jones, that left 918 people dead November 18, 1978 from gunshots, and poisoned koolaid have had a devastating effect, not only to those that died that day, but across Christianity as well.
Because of this and other cults, Christians live in fear of being out of the norm. They reason with themselves that they are taking caution, as Jesus said, of the many false prophets that would come as wolfs dressed in sheep’s clothing.
But the truth of the matter is a mystery to the masses. That is why Jesus also said, “few would enter by the straight gate”. Although these stories get major headline review, in reality these cults are few. The plan of Satan is much more subtle than what is known to the masses. How is Jesus’ prophesy going to be fulfilled if it were that easy?
Satan is the father of all lies. Satan is the great deceiver. Satan is the greatest magician. In magic, the magician draws the crowd’s attention away from reality, by deception. He tells the crowd where to look, and what to see using words, the power of suggestion. He uses phrases like, “See, nothing up my sleeve”, while he slips an object from another location. He is not saying these things to help you see what is really taking place. Every word coming from his mouth is meant for his purpose of deception. A wise person would never listen to or take orders or suggestions from the deceiver, but most people do, at a magic show, and in reality. The news media is saying, “Look at what has happened to these people in this cult.” But what is not seen is the reality of what is taking place in the background.
What would be the proper masquerade costume for a wolf in sheep’s clothing…a suit and tie of course. And how would the lie best be propagated? If the liar believed the lie, he would be more believable. This is a clever plan by Satan, of putting up a front man for the people to evaluate, taking the focus away from the real enemy, himself. This front man seems genuine because he is genuine. The problem is he has bought the lie.
Remember the word Jesus used, “many”, not few, in Matthew 7. A dozen or so over the past half century is not many. The many are in reality the many false teachers standing behind the pulpit of the institutional church today. There is nothing new under the sun. The religious leaders of today are no different than the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. The Pharisees were just as convinced they were right as preachers today. Bible schools are pumping out these false teachers yearly into all denominational churches. This is the great Babylon Jesus spoke of in the Revelation. Let the wise take heed. Come out of Babylon. Come out from the norm, without fear. There is no safety in numbers. Stop looking for safety. If you are looking for self-preservation, you are serving self, and in turn you are serving Satan. This cult tactic is more than a trick by Satan to catch the few that followed these cults. Like terrorism, it is the trickery of fear to the detriment of the onlookers. See it for what it is, just the lie of fear. This tactic has Christians shying away from any bible teaching that is out of the norm. The truths of God are actually out of the norm as well, so this thinking keeps believers away from the truth.
If you are seeking self-preservation, you have good reason to fear. In your fear of the one side, you will in reality fall over the other side. You will shy away from the radical and fall into the trap of complacency.But you can be free of fear in following the Lord, and trusting the Holy Spirit. Here is the only way you can be sure you are not going off track: Stop worrying about self, and follow Him. It doesn’t matter how radical the path may seem to the natural mind. You can learn to trust the Holy Spirit. Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven. If you truly seek the kingdom of heaven and not your own preservation, you will receive the kingdom of heaven. Put self aside and surrender totally to Jesus, and he will set you free from all bondage, and all fear. When you surrender your life to Jesus, you will stop worrying about it, because it is not yours to worry about. If you are worried about your life, you have not surrendered it; you are still clinging to it, and putting your hopes in your natural life.
What those cult members were seeking was self. That is why they were taken captive so easily. They willingly went with the promise and hope of a better life here on earth. Are you seeking a better life for yourself, or are you seeking Jesus at all costs to yourself? Life is short and meaningless in comparison to eternity. Why do you try to hang on to this life, and stay comfortable?
1 John 2 26These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Luke 9 23And he said tothemall, If anymanwill come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, andin hisFather's, and of the holy angels. 27But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.