1 June 2010 (Shleshi/Bikkurim)
Day #78, 5934 AM
Old Flatterer
Beware of the Religious Liar
When Yah'shua rebuked Peter, saying:
"Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense (skandalon) to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of Elohim, but the things of men" (Matt.16:23, NKJV)
He used a word, skandalon which literally means a 'trap-stick', a 'bent sapling' or a 'snare'. He wasn't just offended, He was scandalised, ensnared...much to the shock of Peter! In other words, He was accusing the Adversary of laying a trap for Him through the immature and naïve apostle.
You can be sure that if Satan took the trouble to set a trap for the Messiah that he will do the same thing today to us through religious people who are steered by demons best described as stalkers:
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matt.10:16, NKJV).
Wolves are stalkers because they relentlessly stalk their pray. Only determined resistance will usually send them away. A wolf studies a sheep closely and its every move. At the right time he will pounce and devour his victim. Predatory men will often do this with vulnerable women, and false religious leaders with those searching out the truth of the Gospel. The only way to deal with them, Yah'shua says, is to be as cunning as a snake but as harmless as a dove. He or she must be as cunning or sly as the most skillfully malicious person but as pure and sincere as the most harmless dove. And any genuine ministry, church or assembly will be teaching the flock how to discern, resist and drive away these imposters as a part of its discipling, because they will not leave the sheep alone.
Religious people - those who use spiritual language but whose spirit is malicious - flatter and lie:
"Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of Elohim in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men" (Matt.22:16, NKJV).
Yah'shua immediately knew what they were up to and dealt with them accordingly.
Many a man has called me 'Man of God!' but some have sought to entice money out of me for dishonest gain. One or two have succeeded in the days when I was more naïve. And one or two who have declared that I was the most anointed preacher they have ever heard have subsequenly spoken evil of me behind my back. They were not sincere. They were flatterers, liars. I knew my limitations better than they imagined.
We are told not to associate with flatterers (Prov.20:19) and if one corners you, expose him there and then on the spot. Being nice with these people just plays right into their hands:
"There is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is destruction; their throat is an open tomb; they flatter with their tongue" (Ps.5:9, NKJV).
Don't let them play on your pride either (Prov.16:18), the weak spot they search out in people. We are not to think highly of ourselves but maintain a humble disposition (Rom.12:3). Beware of the 'used car salesman' variety who are constantly trying to sell you something or pestering you for financial support. Remember the example of George Müller - Yahweh provides for His own.
Beware of 'Old Flatterer' and guard your faith!
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