Do Not Be Deceived!
“Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Pray without ceasing!” It took years for me to begin to understand what that meant.
How could you possibly pray all the time? Well, you can!
When enough trouble comes; when you’ve suffered and hurt till you can’t anymore — you can change.
It seems much easier to praise God when things are going well. It likely depends on what kind of true relationship we have with God. Praise Him all day now!
I was recently enlightened by how many times the word “tribulation” is in The Bible. It stunned me somewhat…..
It appears that we have focused so much on the end-time meaning of that word. One particular verse states simply that “tribulation worketh patience.” (Romans 5:3)
I was told many years ago not to ask God for patience. Not if you did not want to go through the work-over some of us need to get there.
I can confess that it was not my best asset — and I’ve taken a pounding to get what I have.
I heard someone here recently [Facebook] ask why Jesus was so explicit about not being deceived.
It still makes me so uncomfortable that Apostle Paul stated clearly that there were certain kinds of people already in the early Church then — false apostles, false prophets, false brethren — and we were warned that they would be among us in our time also, sitting right among us looking and acting like the real thing!
I’m old enough to state that we were well able to see these kind and know them much better than we have these past years. I have no doubt that Discernment was much stronger then.
Today, I see something that made almost everything different; and still does.
As I was taught long ago — not in Church — that most things are much more simple than we make them.
What [Who] could the great problem solver be? It’s to follow The Holy Ghost!
As I started to write this just now, I could feel almost intense opposition. It’s like, “Oh, people don’t want to hear that! That was then!” Full stop.
Is it possible that we don’t want to hear The Truth?
We talk about the need for Discernment in this hour; and we must have it to make it now. To have that kind of insight, means that we must be full of The Holy Ghost.
We must desire to follow The Spirit with all that we have! It’s one thing to know The Truth, but another to Love it.
I don’t know that we get that…. And please, in the mercy of God, don’t make it all about rules and our regulations. Ask, what are the commandments of men….?
It’s my belief that “Distraction” is the number one ruse that the enemy has used to weaken us.
I have become convinced that so much of this electronic Church is indeed an orchestrated and prevalent form of detailed distraction.
What platforms/ stages have with all of the monitors going, even videos, the display of lights themselves — is distraction!
Trying to listen and watch the minister and concentrate on what they’re saying, is almost impossible sometimes. This must be said.
Even in our own personal experience with others, it is vital that our Spiritual radar is working.
No one can deny that we can be deceived by our own family and friends. Perhaps it was always this way; but never as intense as now.
The first thing the Apostle listed about these last days, was people being lovers of themselves.
It’s hard that you can be sold out for loving people.
Stay in The Spirit;
Pray in The Spirit;
Listen to The Spirit.
I’ve come too far to be deceived and lose everything I’ve worked so hard for!
Holy Ghost, please show me!
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance.” Romans 5:3 NKJV
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;” Romans 5:3 NIV
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;” Romans 5:3 KJV
~ Robert Blackburn
You are so right about the „electronic Church and distraction“………
When I hear a well knonw prophet prophesying and see the congregation sitting in the dark, only lightened up by blue lights and a blue distracting scene behind the stage, where once a peaceful surrounding was used, it is so aweful!…….
Holy Spirit indwell me to overflowing and don’t let me be distracted by the things of this world. Help me to stay in your word and follow after you with all my heart and know who and what is you and what is not and clearly know the difference when the devil tries to condemn me because I can’t get with the worship leaders. I pray for your anointing Father God to break every yoke and for you to be manifested regardless of whether it’s me or them. I pray for Christ in us the hope of glory! Thank you Robert for addressing a much needed subject!
Amen man of God! Follow the Holy Ghost! 2Thess. 2:7-12 has taken years for me to understand. Why would God send a spirit of delusion? (a working of error) Sent so that we might distinguish the Church that loves His Word, loves Truth – however, whenever, and whomever it comes. Those that have rejected God’s Word are already delusional. So this speaks of those that pretend to love Truth. While it may be uncomfortable, it’s a reality. Praying for discernment and to grow in patience James 1:4, as the manifold wisdom of God unfolds. Eph. 3:10-21 Matt. 13:24-30
Robert, thank you for the deep understanding of deception.
I have been pondering the depth of understanding that the Lord has been opening up to me and He said to me, ‘the deceived do not want to hear about deception because they are so deeply immersed in it many are convinced it is truth’.
I appreciate this timely truth exposing the deception and/or masquerade of ‘lovers of themselves’ from the throne room.
God Bless You.
Sandi Holman