Enemies of God ∙∙

Enemies of God ∙∙

While we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son – Romans 5:10

2 Corinthians 2:14-16

 14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.

 15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.

 16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?

On July 4, 2019, Washington, DC, was the stage for the “Salute to America” parade, a grand celebration of the history and achievements of the United States of America. The event spotlighted all the major branches of the United States Armed Forces, with a B-2 stealth bomber, F-35 and F-18 fighters, and V-22 Ospreys gracing the skies.

The President of the United States declared, “Together, we are part of one of the greatest stories ever told: the story of America. It is the epic tale of a great nation whose people have risked everything for what they know is right and what they know is true. And it is the saga of thirteen separate colonies that united to form the most just and virtuous republic ever conceived.”

In the first century, Roman rulers celebrated the conquests of their enemies with victory parades. They were called Triumphs. These Triumphs flaunted their power and supremacy. Their conquered enemies were made to march before them as they made their triumphant entry into Rome.

It is easy to forget that we have become comfortable in our Christian faith and that each of us was once an enemy of the Father. We were born into this world in a state of separation and hostility towards Him. At the moment of our salvation, the Father conquered us. He transformed us from being His enemies into His beloved children.

In 2 Corinthians 2:14, Paul depicts us as once-defeated enemies of the Father, now being led in victory. He refers to each one of us, the children of the King. Our sinful natures had made us prisoners of sin. We may have been oblivious to the fact that we were already hopeless captives and slaves to our sinful ways and passions, leading to inevitable sin and death. But through the Lord Jesus Christ, we’ve been liberated from this terrifying bondage.

Our sinful proclivities have been conquered through the cross and the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. We no longer have to live in the prison of torment and guilt as slaves to our former slave master, the enemy of our souls. We have been emancipated and turned loose to live as free and forgiven children of our Father, the living God.

The Lord Jesus Christ has triumphed over sin and death. He has extended His victory to us. The Father God is the supreme conqueror, with Lord Jesus Christ as the commanding officer, leading the victory procession. We have now been “captured” by the Lord Jesus Christ and follow Him joyfully. The fragrance we enjoy and emit is a life-giving perfume rather than the dreadful smell of death and doom.

REFLECT & PRAY

Without a doubt, I have lived way too much of my life as a prisoner of sin and an enemy of The Father.

Father thank You for setting me free and allowing me to triumph over my past.

INSIGHT

The Lord Jesus Christ defeated the forces of evil and darkness. He also took on the forces of evil and darkness within me and took away their sting and dominion over my life. They no longer have power over me. I am now free to be a sweet-smelling fragrance of the Lord Jesus Christ. This pleasant aroma commemorates His victory. Paul uses the word picture of a Roman Triumph to help us understand what really happened. The Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate unmitigated conqueror.

A Roman general could receive no more significant accolade than a Triumph. However, he had to meet specific criteria to be eligible for this great honor. He needed to have been the commander-in-chief on the battlefield. The campaign should have concluded with peace restored in the region and the victorious soldiers returned home.

During a Triumph, the victorious general would March through Rome’s streets towards the Capitol in a grand procession. He would ride a chariot drawn by four horses and be adorned in a purple tunic featuring golden palm leaf embroidery and a purple toga decorated with golden stars. An ivory scepter topped with the Roman eagle was held in his grasp, while a slave held Jupiter’s crown over his head. His family and the army, who wore all their medals, trailed behind him and chanted their victory cry, Io triumphe!

A commander-in-chief who achieved a comprehensive victory on foreign land, causing a minimum of 5,000 enemy casualties and acquiring new territory for the Emperor, earned the right to a Roman Triumph. The procession would showcase the commander in a golden chariot, surrounded by his officers, and display the spoils of war and captive enemy soldiers. Roman priests carrying burning incense to honor the victorious army would join the parade.

The procession would follow a designated route through the city, culminating at the Circus Maximus. The captured enemies would be forced to fight wild beasts for public amusement. A “Roman Triumph” was a special day of full-scale celebration. In modern times, it may compare to the pomp and circumstance of the Super Bowl.

How can we relate this historical event to the struggles of the children of the King today? The Lord Jesus Christ, our supreme Leader, came to a foreign land (Earth) and vanquished the enemy (Satan). Instead of taking away 5,000 lives, He granted life to more than 5,000 individuals – over 3,000 at Pentecost and another 2,000 plus shortly after that (Acts 2:41; 4:4). Jesus Christ claimed the rewards of his battle – lost souls that had previously been enslaved by sin and Satan (Luke 11:14-22; Ephesians 4:8; Colossians 2:15). This was indeed a spectacular victory!

The sons of the triumphant general would follow behind their father’s chariot, participating in his victory; this is the position of believers today – entering into the Lord Jesus Christ’s triumph. We don’t engage in battle to achieve victory; we fight from the standpoint of victory. The circumstances in both Asia and Corinth did not seem to be victorious. But Paul’s Faith in God transformed defeat into victory (Barclay).

“That is the picture that is in Paul’s mind. He sees Christ marching in triumph throughout the world and [Paul] himself in that conquering procession. It is a triumph which, Paul is certain, nothing can stop” (Barclay).

When we think of the enemies of God, who are they? The enemy of our souls and his servants, the forces of darkness. But there’s more. Sadly, each child of the King was once an enemy of their King. But all that has changed.

Romans 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

“In Romans 1:18-32, Paul explained how men declared war on God and, because of this, deserved to be condemned eternally. But God did not declare war on man. Instead, He sent His Son as the Peacemaker (Ephesians 2:11-18) so that men might be reconciled to God” (Wiersbe). Rather than defeated enemies, we are now the children of the King. Through reconciliation, we have been adopted into God’s Forever Family. We now have fellowship with a Father and the Son.

Nowadays, we witness a multitude of parades celebrating a plethora of diverse elements, including the quest for justice, identity, ethnicity, national heritage, historical events, and the demand for freedom. Some parades seem pretty troubling to many children of the King. The Scriptures do not support many causes celebrated in the public square. A rainbow in and of itself is beautiful. But for every child of the King, it is a reminder that the Father promised never to destroy the earth again with a flood. Thus, when we see a parade, it can be much more than just a parade celebrating whatever cause. We can bring our own meaning to it. From this point forward, whenever we watch these parades, we can choose to envision the triumphant procession of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The

Lord Jesus Christ is leading a triumphal procession across the globe. There is nothing and no one in the entire world that could defeat Him. He is the supreme commander-in-chief and the ultimate victor.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 11-05-1

© Dr. H 2024

Secondhand sin ∙∙

Secondhand sin ∙∙

When

Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. – Romans 5:12

Romans 5:15-16

 15 But there is a significant difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam brought death to many. But even more remarkable is God’s extraordinary grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.

 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.

Have you ever wondered how many people on planet Earth smoke? Despite declines in smoking in some developed nations, there are still over a billion smokers worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. It is well-documented that tobacco use is a significant public health concern. The World Health Organization estimates that over 8 million deaths are the result each year.

Secondhand smoke, also known as passive smoke or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is the smoke that comes from both the burning end of a cigarette (sidestream smoke) and the smoke exhaled by smokers (mainstream smoke).

The harmful effects of secondhand smoke have long been known. Secondhand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and about 70 that can cause cancer.

How many people die from secondhand smoke every year? The number is staggering. According to the WHO, it’s estimated that nearly 1,000,000 people around the world die each year from inhaling the smoke floating around them. Dr. Jagat Narula, a cardiologist at Mount Sinai, Morningside, in New York City, researches the health impact of smoking. “I call it a form of murder” (https://whdh.com).

It takes only 52 smokers to kill a person via secondhand tobacco smoke, according to a new global analysis. This is the first research to determine “how many smokers are needed to kill one innocent non-smoker,” says Nurula.

Nurula and his team looked at the number of active smokers and secondhand smoke victims around the world from 1990 to 2016. They found that in 1990, it took 31 lifetime smokers to produce enough secondhand smoke to kill one non-smoker. By 2016, that number had increased to 52, thanks to the spread of smoking bans in restaurants, bars, and offices. “There’s a sense of secondhand smoke being benign, or not as damaging as actual smoking is,” Nurula tells CNN.com. “But it’s truly deadly” (The Week, April 03, 2020).

There is also thirdhand smoke. A new study out of Yale University says thirdhand smoke – the tobacco contaminants that adhere to walls, bedding, carpet, and other surfaces until a room smells like an ashtray – can actually cling to a smoker’s body and clothes as well.

Those potentially toxic chemicals, including nicotine, can then be released into environments where smoking has never occurred, like a movie theater, according to the study.

Even more disturbing, The study found those chemical exposure levels could be the equivalent of between one and 10 cigarettes by the end of the movie (https://whdh.com/news/its-not-just-secondhand-smoke-that-is-dangerous-thirdhand-smoke-can-be-too/).

It is exceedingly difficult for people who are smokers to quit. But many do. Perhaps for years, they still long for, even dream about the pleasure they derived from smoking. But they no longer produce secondhand smoke. They will never contribute to the death of anyone. It is a simple fact that when you are no longer a smoker, you are indeed no longer a smoker.

But sin is something else entirely. Sins, in plural with an “s,” are acts or attitudes we have or perform. But sin, in its singular form, is a state of being what we are, a sinner. Once a sinner, always a sinner. We can work to limit our sins, but we can do nothing to stop being a sinner. We are doomed to pass on secondhand sin to our children. And they, too, become sinners. It is a relentless, vicious, and deadly cycle.

Where did sin come from? The Scriptures provide a clear answer: Adam and Eve.

Every child descended from Adam and Eve is afflicted with the consequences of secondhand sin. The children did not choose to become sinners. They are afflicted with sin because of the original choice of Adam and Eve. This inherited sin passed down from generation to generation, is akin to a genetic defect embedded in our DNA. This is referred to as original sin.

Romans 5:12-17

 12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.  17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many.

REFLECT & PRAY

2 Corinthians 5:21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Father thank You for those who quit smoking, by Your grace. But none of us can quit sinning. Thank You for providing an option, a cure through the Lord Jesus Christ, that we may be forgiven and enter into a right relationship with You.

INSIGHT

The Father had devised a strategy to address the sin of the human race, whether it be firsthand or secondhand sin. He planned to send the Lord Jesus Christ to planet Earth, Not born of the union of man and woman. He was sinless because of the miraculous virgin birth performed supernaturally by the Holy Spirit. Since He was sinless, His sinless nature qualified Him to live, die, and subsequently be resurrected. As a result of His death for sin, forgiveness is now available to all of the descendants of Adam and Eve. Forgiveness is the free gift the Father offers everyone who has “caught” the sin virus from Adam and Eve.

Romans 5:15-19

 15 But there is a significant difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam brought death to many. But even more remarkable is God’s extraordinary grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.

 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.

 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

 18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.

 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

As descendants of Adam, our link to him is purely physical. We have inherited the sin he passed down, having no say in whether we would be born into sinfulness. Just as we couldn’t choose our parents, we had no control over being born sinful. However, connecting with the Lord Jesus Christ is entirely up to us. We are free to accept or reject the Father’s solution for our sins.

We all share an equal opportunity to have forgiveness for our transgressions. Unfortunately, we cannot cease to sin, but the good news is that we can be forgiven.

It is disheartening to understand that our inherited sin, akin to a genetic disorder, is passed on to our offspring. But the Father has made provision for a kind of spiritual surgery to mitigate the impact of anyone’s sin disorder.

If you haven’t yet embraced forgiveness and established a righteous relationship with the Father, what’s stopping you?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 10-22-1

© Dr. H 2024

How to plan your day ∙∙

How to plan your day ∙∙

O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly. – Psalms 63:1

Psalms 5:3 Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

Psalms 37:5 Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will act on your behalf.

Born into the harsh realities of slavery amidst the turmoil of the Civil War in Diamond, Missouri, in the 1860s, George Washington Carver faced difficult challenges from the start. Institutional barriers due to racial prejudices prevented him from attending most schools. Nevertheless, his parents educated him at home and fostered an unquenchable desire for knowledge.

At fourteen, he left his home to pursue education, eventually gaining admission into Simpson College and Iowa State. Despite all odds, Carver emerged as one of his era’s leading inventors and agricultural scientists. He pioneered the concept of crop rotation to combat soil exhaustion and invented over 100 products derived from peanuts, including dyes, plastics, and even gasoline. His remarkable contributions earned him the title “Black Leonardo” by Time magazine in 1941.

Carver’s life took a spiritual turn when a Christian couple befriended him. The Bible became his constant companion and trusted guide until his final days.

So, what was the secret behind Carver’s extraordinary achievements despite seemingly insurmountable challenges?

Carver would be the first to tell you it was because of the Lord. “I have made it a rule to go out and sit . . . at four o’clock every morning and ask the good Lord what I am to do that day. Then I go ahead and do it.” (Scientists of Faith, books, google.com).

Undeniably, Carver possessed a wealth of natural talent, intelligence, discernment, curiosity, and insight. But what truly set him apart was something much more significant: his daily communion with the Father, the living God. This spiritual practice was the cornerstone of his success and made all the difference in his life.

REFLECT & PRAY

Children of the King who walk closely with the Father prioritize their lives differently. Spending time with the Father early in the morning frequently takes precedence.

Father thank You for wanting to spend time with me. I welcome the encounter. Encourage me to be wise in setting my priorities and making time with You my highest priority.

INSIGHT

What is an encounter with God? “An encounter with God takes place when He confronts us. Through these divine encounters, the Lord comforts us, challenges us, heals and forgives us. He changes us.” (Stanley). When it comes to encountering the Father, He is in complete control. We can do nothing to manipulate Him or “call the shots.” Any illusion of control must be relinquished.

If we cannot manipulate or control the Father, what can we do to encourage such encounters? We can make ourselves available to Him. We learn to listen. We learn to hear and recognize His voice. We actively seek His direction, guidance, and instruction. “When we make ourselves willing and available, the Father will encounter us” (Stanley).

Learn from George Washington Carver. Carver made it a daily practice to set aside time to meet and commune with the Father. Every morning, he would spend time with the Father and seek His plan for the day ahead. He experienced a life of great fulfillment. He serves as an example of life worth emulating.

This brings us to a simple question: When is the best time to seek the Father’s guidance for the day? Logically, it would seem to be as early as possible. Carver, for instance, began his day at 4 AM, earnestly the Father’s face. Psalms 63 beautifully captures this sentiment.

Psalms 63:1 O God, you are my God; I earnestly [early] search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you, as in a dry and weary land without water.

The Hebrew word shahar translates earnestly or early. The verb shaharinitially meant to “look for dawn.” It is derived from the noun shahar,which means dawn. Thus, it meant seeking early and putting first things first. It came to mean seeking God early, prioritizing Him above all else, and pursuing Him with eagerness and diligence.

As soon as David arose in the morning, he became aware of his intense need for the Father, just as he needed water shortly after waking up (Constable). David made it a point to seek the Father early in the morning when his mind was uncluttered, focused, sharp, and clear.

When psalmists speak of their intense longing to be with the Father, they often describe their yearning as thirst.

Psalms 42:1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God.

David characterizes his need to spend time with the Father as thirst. As he had been parched in the wilderness and thirsted for water, his soul was parched and pants for the Father. Just thinking about the Father created a longing, soul thirst for David.

David had learned to depend upon the Father every day. He probably could not imagine beginning a day without Him. His need was intense. During the best years of his life, David depended on the Father daily.

Each of us has daily routines that we follow upon waking. Wouldn’t it be wise to include an encounter with the Father in our daily routine?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 10-14-1

© Dr. H 2024

The Book of Truth ∙

The Book of Truth ∙

Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. – Daniel 10:21

Daniel 10:14 I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.

Daniel 7:9-10

 9 I kept looking Until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire,

 10 and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him. Then the court sat, and the books were opened.

Daniel 7:13-14

 13 As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.

 14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal– it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

Why were “books” developed? The beginning of “books” can be traced back to the necessity for recording information in a way that could be read, understood, and shared with others.

He would “mark” their numbers on the ground or a rock to ensure none of the flock strayed, much like tallying is done today. As time progressed, these markings evolved into more permanent records, thus marking the birth of “books.”

For example, an ancient shepherd tracked his sheep as they roamed from one location to another. To ensure none of the flock strayed, he would “mark” their numbers on the ground or a rock, much like tallying is done today. As time progressed, these markings evolved into more permanent records, thus marking the birth of “books.”

Early “writing” was predominantly glyphs, which were either pictograms or ideograms. Pictograms were simple sketches representing easily identifiable objects such as animals, plants, mountains, bodies of water, the sun, etc. Gradually, these sketches were simplified and refined, transitioning into primitive syllables and, eventually, letters.

Reflect on the emergence of cuneiform writing in ancient Sumer. This form of writing used characters as syllables, and all information was inscribed on clay tablets. These tablets held a variety of data, from legal contracts and accounting lists to stories and myths.

The dawn of the first character alphabet letters occurred around 1500 BC.

Take a 

moment to appreciate the laborious task of manually writing a document. The process was extremely demanding and required reading and writing. Until modern times, most of the population could not read or write. Before the invention of the printing press, each book was a unique manuscript painstakingly written by hand.

The Father employed writing and books to convey ideas and knowledge that could be passed down to future generations. Despite His omniscience and infinite memory, He maintained a record-keeping system, underscoring the importance of written records.

What is the Book of Truth?

There is a record kept in heaven. But this record is unlike anything we have on planet Earth. The Father, in His infinite wisdom, recorded all history in advance. The omniscient God wrote everything out long before it would come to pass on Earth (Ironside). This “history” book contains the destiny of individuals and nations. Long before John Calvin, there was written in heaven a predetermined, definitive Book of Truth inscribed in heaven.

The Scriptures are the Word of God for us on earth. They are a fraction of the Book of Truth, a subset of all contains. The Scriptures are absolute truth. They are “True Truth,” but not exhaustive truth (Schaeffer). The Book of Truth is like a script for a movie, written and tweaked before the film is made. The Father is the scriptwriter; we are the actors.

REFLECT & PRAY

We have free will. We choose how we respond as events unfold in our lives. We can face challenges confidently if we remain safely nestled in the Father’s arms.

Father thank you that you know all things all the time. Now and then, You have chosen to reveal what is written in the Book of Truth. We have learned to call some of these tidbits prophecies. But as far as You are concerned, they are already history.

INSIGHT

The angel Gabriel had already informed Daniel, “I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.” (Daniel 10:14). Was there a connection?

Essentially, the Father wanted Daniel to understand as much as possible. Imagine for a moment that the conversation went something like this.

The angel Gabriel explained, “In heaven, there is a ‘Book.’ This ‘Book’ contains all events that will ever transpire, recorded even before the world’s foundation was laid. The Father had foreknowledge of the fate of individuals and nations long before they were brought into existence. You might say that ‘God is in control.’ The Book of Truth gives that phrase a whole new meaning. Not only is the Father in control of everything, but He has also written it all down ahead of time. Think back to the vision when you saw the Son of Man being presented to the Ancient of Days. Do you remember what happened just after the court sat?”

Daniel replied, “How could I forget? The books were opened.”

The angel Gabriel continued, “Yes, books, including the Book of Truth. The sovereign will of the Most High God is sealed and certain. In future days, the dead, the great, and the small will stand before the throne, and the books will be opened.”

“Specifically, the Book of Truth contains the prerecorded history of Israel, from beginning to end. It also contains a similar history for the rest of the world, with special emphasis on their treatment of the nation Israel. It is a heavenly record of all the events that will occur in the ‘kingdoms of men.’”

“The Father has dispatched Michael and myself to ensure His will is accomplished. The Book of Truth is a testament to God the Father’s commitment to His promises. The nation of Israel is secure because of the Father’s promises. They are all written in the Book of Truth.”

Daniel reflected a bit and thought to himself, “Gabriel’s words hit home in my own life. The more I had searched the sacred writings of the fathers and the prophets, the more of the Father’s will I had uncovered” (Daniel 9:2-14).

“Gabriel’s words confirmed what I had recently concluded about prayer. Effective prayer is discovering the Father’s will and praying it into existence. This new insight was amazing, yet so simple! The all-knowing, all-wise, most high God knows everything and all the permutations of what could ever be. He knows history before it happens. He has written a history of the world, mankind, and particularly the destiny of my people, Israel, in the Book of Truth.”

“What He has written is what will be. I could live my remaining days knowing that the outcome was determined. What great solace and comfort came over me. Based on the character of my Father God, I could be secure in knowing that He desires the best for me and my people, Israel. What I had learned had given me tremendous hope for facing the future. It is not up to kings, the rich and powerful, or even fate. The Father has chosen. And what will be is determined. I could approach the rest of my life with confidence, certainty, and hope.”

His will shall be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 11-08-1

Spies and deceivers ∙∙

Spies and deceivers ∙∙

So that we may not be exploited by Satan (for we are not ignorant of his schemes). – 2 Corinthians 2:11

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.

 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end, they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

From 1976 to February 2001, Robert Hanssen led a double life as an FBI agent and a spy. Outward appearances can be deceiving. What was his disguise? He pretended to be just like everybody else and blend in. On the surface, Hanssen appeared to be a dedicated and faithful FBI agent. Nothing could be further from the truth. But behind this facade, he betrayed his country by handing over countless classified documents. On top of that, he revealed the names of KGB agents who were double agents secretly spying for the United States. When he compromised their identities, it undoubtedly resulted in their deaths.

There were some early red flags. In 1990, a recommendation was made to investigate Hanssen for possible espionage, but it fell on deaf ears, and nothing was done. He continued his shadowy activities, spying for both Soviet and Russian intelligence against the U.S. for a quarter of a century. The Department of Justice described Hanssen’s espionage as “possibly the worst intelligence disaster in U.S. history.”

How was he finally exposed? The FBI had suspicions about a mole in their midst. Of course, the KGB knew who their spies were. Almost everything can be bought for the right price. The FBI made a deal. The FBI paid a KGB agent $7 million for a file on the elusive mole, leading them to identify Hanssen.

Deceivers are difficult to spot because they are masters of disguise. They hide under the guise of being loyal and steadfast, pretending to be heroes. They claim to be teachers and apostles of truth and righteousness, while they are black hats, agents of evil and unrighteousness. As J.N. Darby said, “Satan is never more satanic than when he carries a Bible” (J. N. Darby). The same applies to his minions.

Regrettably, we often overlook the need for due diligence. We lack the discernment to identify the fakes. We fail to examine the Scriptures and investigate thoroughly what we are taught. We don’t take the time to verify the credibility of those we learn from. Most children of the King do not perform Internet searches or do background checks. However, if something does not seem right, it likely isn’t.

Satan and his followers are experts at masquerading under false pretenses and wearing clever disguises (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). The Greek word translated as disguise is metaschematizo. Metaschematizo comes from meta – to change and schema – shape, outward form. Metaschematizo means to transform, change the outward form or appearance of something, or disguise oneself to deceive.

Inconsistencies can often be subtle, making them hard to detect. Many times, the real motives behind actions remain concealed. Frequently, even blatant wrongdoing isn’t always identified and adequately addressed. When sin is not dealt with immediately, people think they can escape it indefinitely. It is part of our fallen DNA.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.

REFLECT & PRAY

What a frightening and sobering reality to recognize that the kingdom of God will often have weeds growing among the beneficial crops. We must be on the alert.

Father help us discern and alert to those who wear disguises and masquerade as something they are not. Protect us from evil.

INSIGHT

The enemy of our souls, Satan, disguises himself as an angel of light. Angels of light, shining angels, are dazzling, vibrant, appealing, and thrilling.

His minions also are bedazzling, disguising themselves as servants of righteousness and apostles of Christ. Think about it. The Father’s servants are often plain, dull, drab, unremarkable, average, bland, even nondescript. What an anomaly!

1 Corinthians 1:26-28

 26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.

 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

The enemy’s strategy is cunning and ingenious. The enemy is shrewd, subtle, and elusive. He plans to infiltrate, delude, mislead, and distract the children of the King. The enemy’s cronies do not have to battle their way in. The unknowing and misguided children of the King often invite them in. How tragic.

Galatians 2:4 Some so-called Christians there – false ones, really – who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us.

The Lord Jesus Christ provided a perfect illustration.

Matthew 13:24-30

 24 Here is another story Jesus told: The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.

 25 But that night, as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away.

 26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.

 27 The farmer’s workers went to him and said, “Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?”

 28 “An enemy has done this!” the farmer exclaimed. “Should we pull out the weeds?” they asked.

 29 “No,” he replied, “you’ll uproot the wheat if you do.

 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.”

Children of the King are caught in a quandary. We are encouraged to be hospitable.

Hebrews 13:2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!

It would be prudent to be hospitable yet also extremely cautious. Perhaps we may be entertaining dark angels, messengers of Satan, masquerading as angels of light.

We have been commanded to love as we have been loved. We are not to act unbecomingly; we are not to be provoked; we do not take into account a wrong suffered; we are never to give up or lose faith; we are always to be hopeful and endure all things (1 Corinthians 13:5-8).

Yet we are to be shrewd as serpents (Matthew 10:16), guard against those who vigorously oppose the authentic, and embrace the error of unprincipled men (2 Timothy 4:15, 2 Peter 3:17).

Only the Father’s wisdom and leading can take us safely through.

James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not reprimand you for asking.

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© Dr. H 2024