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BEWARE OF THE CUNNING CRAFTINESS OF MEN
Here are a few scriptures and definitions that will help with this deception that the enemy uses to get the body of Christ off track.2Timothy 3:
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good
works.
Ephesians 4:
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying
of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about
with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and CUNNUNG CRAFTINESS,
whereby they LIE IN WAIT to DECEIVE;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is
the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that
which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of
every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
cunning - dexterous or crafty in the use of special resources (as skill or knowledge), characterized by wiliness and trickery or schemes
craftiness – deceitfulness, skilled in or marked by underhandedness, deviousness, or deception
lie in wait - to stay hidden, ready to attack
deceive - implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness, to mislead by a false appearance or statement, to falsely persuade others
If you take all the definitions and put them together it could read something like this:
A person that is dexterous or crafty in the use of special resources and skilled in trickery or schemes staying hidden ready to attack at the right moment to impose a false idea or belief and mislead by false appearance or statement.
The word goes further into warnings about false doctrine in Paul's letter to the Galatians.
Galatians 1:
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Staying sensitive to the spirit of God is the only way to protect yourself from the error found in the doctrines of men. You can accomplish this through continued study of the God's word and your personal prayer life.
Until next time, KEEP THE FAITH !!!!!!!
BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND
It is very important to renew your mind to the word of God. This will do away with your old way of thinking and cause your mind to line up with the will of God in your life. Below is a passage of scripture where Paul is admonishing the body of Christ to provoke them to make changes to their lives.Ephesians 4:
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be RENEWED in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
RENEWED - to make like new : restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection, to make new spiritually : regenerate
REGENERATE - formed or created again, spiritually reborn or converted, restored to a better, higher, or more worthy state
God's word will change your life if you will just follow and apply the scripture that you are studying in your personal daily devotion time.
Until next time, KEEP THE FAITH
BE ROOTED AND ABOUNDING
It is important to be rooted and grounded in God's word. Your walk of faith depends upon this and the scripture states we walk by faith and not by sight.Colossians, Chapter 2
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 ROOTED and built up in him, and STABLISHED in the faith, as ye have been taught, ABOUNDING therein with thanksgiving.
Rooted ---- to root (figuratively become stable): - root.
abounding ---- to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel: - (make, more) abound, (have, have more) abundance, (be more) abundant, be the better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left, redound, remain (over and above).
Continue in the study of God's word and watch transformations take place in your life.
Until next time, Keep the Faith
JESUS IS ALWAYS THE SAME
The word of God will confirm itself when studying out a subject. Jesus ws always the same. He taught sound doctrine and He always went by what was written. When tempted in the wilderness Jesus told the devil it is written.Hebrews 13:8-9
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.
Always confirm through the word of God what man is teaching and you will not be led astray.
Until next time, KEEP THE FAITH
PERSONAL PRAYER AND EDIFICATION
Below is a prayer out of Ephesians that has been very helpful in my life as well as many others. Brother Kenneth Hagin once stated that his personal insight into the word of God highly increased after he started quoting this prayer over himself and his family. He also said all of his family came to know Jesus as their personal saviour as a result of being faithful to pray this over his family.Ephesians
Chapter 3
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
One of the most important things you can do as a believer is to maintain close personal fellowship with your Father God.
Till next time, Jesus is Lord
STAY BALANCED IN YOUR FAITH
STAY BALANCED IN YOUR FAITH / MAKE YOURSELF AVAILABLE TO THE TEACHINGS FROM VARIOUS MINISTRY OFFICESEphesians
Chapter 4
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
By making yourself available to various offices in the body of Christ you will stay balance in your faith walk.
INWARD WITNESS
Spend time in God's word and prayer. Listen to the inward witness.First John 2:
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
Your personal time in prayer will allow you to be more sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
He will always direct your path. Depend on His direction because that is what He desires to do for you.
Until next time, KEEP THE FAITH!