A “god”, according to the dictionary, is “a personal being conceived as superior to nature and mankind and entitled to worship.”
Since the fall of mankind, man has felt capable of deciding for himself what is good or bad, right or wrong, independent of the word of God. Therefore, man, acting as a god himself, can accept, reject, or modify God’s laws as he sees fit; and this he does to his own destruction.
Have you ever decided for yourself what was good or right for you in spite of what God’s word said? Of course, haven’t we all? Could it be that some have based their beliefs on what they have decided to be true and then go looking for proof of their beliefs wherever they can find them? Others, ignoring available facts, are too comfortable with their present life to change? But you see, they don’t have to change, they are gods, they are sovereign.
For example, there are those who have decided that the first day of the week is a better day to observe than the seventh, in direct opposition to the fourth commandment. They can cite you a variety of reasons (really excuses), but the bottom line is, since they can know good and evil they have chosen the day of the sun god, Sunday, to be a better choice than the day God made holy. But, they say, we are not worshipping the sun God. Didn’t God warn against worshiping Him the way others worship their gods (Deut 12 30-32).
Every time we decide a matter for ourselves in opposition to God, we are acting like a god. It may seem the right and good thing to do in our situation. However, In Proverbs 14:12 we read, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” We can’t always see the end from the beginning, but God can.
Satan’s lie has worked so well that not only does he still use it, he has repackaged it in such attractive wrappings that few can turn it down. It comes disguised as love, tolerance, peace, political correctness, positive thinking and a kind of sloppy agape or greasy grace that covers all shortcomings. (Forget about sin, that’s too negative; besides it hurts your self-esteem).
Some smooth things we often hear that sound so right:
Aren’t we all seeking the same thing, some call it God, or a higher power, a spiritual guide, etc. Don’t we all have that inner self that gives us power to be, do, or have what ever we desire? We simply must learn how to use that god given power within. After all, if God made us in the likeness of God, then we are gods.
Some interesting quotes:
Haven’t you heard, “what the mind is able to conceive, the mind is able to achieve”?
“You don’t have a God in you, you are one.” Kenneth Copeland.
“Just as dogs have puppies and cats have kittens, so god has little gods…” Pastor Earl Paulk of the Christ For the Nations movement.
“Today I lay claim to all the attributes of God…as a Divine being… I rejoice in my Divine nature.” Science of mind.
“We are each destined to become a god, to be like God Himself.” C. Stavropoulos, orthodox scholar.
“I will be like the most high [God]...” Lucifer, Isaiah 14:14. Do they sound familiar?
So, we are being told that we are gods, but God says: “…for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Gen 3:20).
However, we are also told, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2).
Well, are we or aren’t we? If we choose our own way of righteousness, as did Cain, we join Satan’s attempt at godhood, which is the way to the second death. (Cain’s sacrifice, you remember, was his own works instead of the symbol of God’s Son).
We have a choice of choosing the narrow way as outlined in the bible, or the broad way as outlined in the many religions of the world; faith in Jesus Christ as the only way, or faith in the world’s view of many paths, one goal, many gods, your choice.
That narrow way is Jesus Christ, “for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:8-10).
That last verse (10) explains why James can say, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” (Ja. 2:24). Evidence of faith is results.
A common error of most religions is the belief that some ritual, or some person must intercede for us, or that we have to earn, or in some way deserve salvation, before we can even approach Christ. Some teach that Christ is only a way, not the way.
Some will simply not understand. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor 1:18).
We are warned of a great deception coming in the end times, so great that even the elect will barely miss being deceived (Mk 13:22). First will come a great falling away, mixed with signs and lying wonders; a cunning trap for those that would believe in omens and wonderworking miracles over God’s word.
We read, “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, so that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie” (2 Thess 2:8-11).
“And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of” (2 Peter 2:2).
How then can we not be deceived? Develop a love for the truth; seek the truth with all your heart. Learn to identify a lie, and run from it as though running from Satan himself, for he is the father of lies. Be forewarned, if you speak the truth, you will be evil spoken of.
Much of the latter day deception is built around self-deification, elevating man to Godhood, or lowering God to being a mere man. We hear statements like, “We can all attain Godhood through our own effort just like God did.” “As man is, God was, as God is, man will become,” (Mormons).
As John said, we will be like Him, but it will be in His time, in His way, according to His will. It is the narrow way.
Aside from the usual cults there are many so called “New Age” techniques that are becoming quite popular: Outright Occultism, spirit guides, self-realization, visualization, positive confession, positive thinking, faith healers, being slain in the spirit, tongues, etc; all designed to elevate self.
In Luke 18:9-14 we read, “(Jesus) spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” (His prayer was all about self and reminding God as to how deserving he was.)
13 “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
A dire warning:
In 1 Cor 10:12 we read, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” In today’s world, the deception of self-esteem is held to be more desirable than humility. Acknowledging that we are nothing without God, but that all things are possible through God is true Humility.
Some of the many paths to this deception come from activities or programs such as:
1. Ecumenicalism: reducing religion to its lowest common denominator.
2. The Toronto Blessing an invitation to demons.
3. Psychic phenomena: activities of demons
4. Praying to the dead saints and Mary: an abomination to God.
5. Astrology: consulting demons
6. Channeling: playing with demons.
7. Yoga: consorting with demons.
8. Hypnotism: yielding control of oneself to demons
9. Miracles as a sign of truth; believing in miracles over God’s word.
10. Mindless repetitions: a form of self-hypnoses.
As far back as 1986 the Catholic Church was calling for her daughters to come home. The Pope’s invitation for a gathering of all religions at Assisi to pray for peace was an overt move toward ecumenicalism. Is this not preparing the world for the woman who was sitting upon the beast spoken of in Revelations seventeen?
Many have already bought into the coming world religion and its apostasy which will be led by the Catholic church, such as: Billy Graham, Robert Schuller, Benny Hinn, Jerry Falwell, Paul Crouch of TBN, Jack Hayford, Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Chuck Colson, and many more names you would recognize.
What’s lacking in the ecumenical movement is the redeeming blood of Christ, as the complete and only way to eternal life, which will be totally rejected by the one world religion.
Here is a very interesting prophecy:
“The chief danger that confronts the coming century will be religion without the holy ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, heaven without hell.” William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army.
That seems to describe the coming deception to a tee, lots of emotion but no substance. Being gods and knowing good and evil for ourselves is open rebellion to God and a short cut to the second death.
It’s later than you think.
Del Leger, Pastor, Christian Church Of God, Grand Junction, Co. (970) 249-6857.