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The Subtlety of Subtlety Several years ago, a defecting Cuban pilot, manning his MIG 21, not only had to outwit his country's authorities, but he also had to alert the authorities in the U.S. of his intentions. Getting out of Cuba proved to be quite simple, and entering the United States was even easier. He slipped in quite subtly—518 mph at 50 feet—completely undetected by radar. The only radar blimp in the Florida Keys was busy beaming TV shows into Cuba. No kidding! The same is true throughout the history of Christianity—the subtlety of Satanic error has flown so fast and so close to the world, that it has come into the church without much detection. For example, in the first three hundred years of the early church, its people actually flourished under the persecution, suffering, and affliction that came from the world. Then, in the early 4thC, the Emperor Constantine not only legalized Christianity, but he made it absolutely mandatory. Thousands of people were baptized at a time, and all in the empire were made "Christian"—whether they were born-again and repentant or not. Edwin and Lillian Harvey, in their Call Back Series, Volume 1, wrote, "No longer did a hunted people worship only in houses, but in commodious buildings commanding strategic positions. No longer were her leaders strangers and pilgrims on the earth, but were robed with costly vestments and seated on episcopal thrones. No longer hunted, banished, and imprisoned, they were now sought out in matters of State and Church." Yes, it was true! After years of persecution and being treated with disdain, many in the church jumped at the opportunity to live in luxury and prestige—and down they went into the mire. Matilda C. Edwards, in a poem about the fateful marriage of the church and the world, wrote these words excerpted from a much longer poem: "'Your preachers are too old and plain,' said the winsome old world with a sneer; 'They frighten my children with dreadful tales, which I like not for them to hear; They teach of suffering, toil and pain and a cross that all must bear; and the world, the flesh, and the devil disdain, if they the crown would bear. I will send you some of the better stamp, brilliant and glad and fast, who will tell them that people may live as they want, and go to heaven at last.' So he filled her house with smiling divines, gifted and great and learned; And the plain old men that preached the cross were out of the pulpit turned. And so the sons of the world and the sons of the church, walked closely hand and heart, and only the Master, Who knoweth all, could tell the two apart." This fall from heaven to earth was accompanied by a very subtle exchange of spiritual worship for carnal superstition and ritual. So subtle was it that it wasn't even an actual exchange—it was more of a mingling—pagan processions wrapped in idolatry of images, and all of it given the name of Jesus. Oh, how the angels of heaven must have grieved as those who called themselves the Bride of Christ, gave their hand to another! But it didn't actually begin then—no, there were planes flying pretty low, even in the first century AD. Acts 13 speaks of the time when Paul, Barnabas, and Mark were on the isle of Paphos during their first journey. While there, the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, known for being quite discerning and wise, called for the evangelists to come and speak to him. Now, that sounds great, but watch out for low-flying error. At that time, there was a Jewish false prophet by the name of Bar-Jesus. Even though his name means "son of Jesus," he was anything but that—even the spirit of antichrist—looking like Jesus, but different in very subtle, and yet crucial, ways. Verse 8 tells us, "…Elamas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith." You see, this "turning away," in the Greek, is a distorting, corrupting, and perverting—yes, even a misinterpreting of faith. Oh, the subtlety of subtlety! When Paul found this to be the case, "being filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes upon him, and said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?" (vss. 9,10) Boy, Paul, you sure won't boost your numbers or your popularity that way! Not caring one iota, Paul, through the power of the Holy Spirit, literally fastened his gaze intently upon the one who had just flown in with his perversions. Though Satan tried to sneak his way in to misdirect Sergius Paulus, the "radar" of the Holy Spirit was on, and was not busy doing something else. But who will have this free gift of spiritual discernment? The Spirit will tell it like it is—Elymas was full of all subtlety—a decoy; misdirecting, tricking, and entrapping—and all by delusion. It adulterates the truth, blending it with error, and thereby, making it difficult to detect. Paul then tells him, "And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand." (vs. 11) This "mist" refers to a collection of heavy vapors that divert the rays of light by turning them out of their direct course. Literally, it is the opposite of a clear day. It is a place of obscurity and shadiness; a place of opaque and smoky vision, representing a slow, and even, stupid lack of understanding. Even if Elymas wanted to see clearly now, he couldn't—for a season, and that was the mercy of God. How? Well, not only would Elymas have an opportunity to repent, but "…the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord." (vs. 12) When the low-flying error is brought down and captured, more and more will believe the truth—for truth will never be brought down. You see, just as all this didn't begin with Constantine, it didn't end back then, either. In these last of days, the true gospel can hardly be found for all of the error that has infiltrated the church. Multitudes are believing in a prosperity gospel that the Scriptures clearly denounce: "…godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." (1 Tim. 6: 6-8; see following verses) Dispensationalists spend much of their time dividing Jews and Gentiles according to the different "gospels" of the kingdom and of grace, but the Bible spends its time putting it all together—the Kingdom of God is the grace of God, and in this, the walls are brought down, not built up—"There is neither Jew nor Greek…for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:28) Hoards of people today insist that its OK with God that we continue in sin. But God's Word says, "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." (1 John 5: 18) Some think they are climbing spiritual heights through study, study, and more study—spouting the words of Christ, but with little fruit. Liberal "Christians," on the other hand, say the Bible is only a history book and isn't authoritative today, but the Bible itself says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (2 Tim. 3:16) Sodomy, named for the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, is now an alternative lifestyle and not a sin. Many churches are condoning it, or getting closer to it with every vote, but God's Word condemns it over fifty times! Who will you believe—the one true God or a perverted church? And, at this time of year, alternative Halloween events abound in churches. Worldly dramatic techniques are used to shock people into wanting an "escape hatch" from the Great Tribulation, or even Hell itself. Yes, it gets the truth out, but using man's ways. It may be powerful and exciting, but that's the alluring subtlety. It is not God's way—"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."(2 Cor.6:17) Many, of course, are not intending to be in error, but "certain men crept in unawares…turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness…"(Jude 4) You see, much of the church, wanting to be liked by the world, is now like the world. With its "radar" down, Satan flies right in—no problem! Oh, the need for the fullness of the Holy Spirit and His discernment! And when true pastors warn of the error, they are labeled "negative," and some are even put out of their pulpits. People want what people want! What do you want? His heart alone? Then put aside the busyness and the things that consume your time—shut yourself in with Him! Get into the Word and prayer, seeking the face of the Lord—get to know Him, not just stuff about Him. In this, even the most subtle of error will not get past you, for it cannot get past the One who will be living within you—the Lord Jesus Christ! Copyright (c)
2005 Christ Our Rock Bible Church. |
