The ‘Wiles of Satan’; wiles mean ‘ingenious trap’ or ‘snare’. The Bible portrays Satan as a master deceiver and a counterfeiter of truth and comes as ‘an angel of light’. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light”2 Cori 11:13-14. Hypocrisy is a thing not to be much wondered because in this world Satan has great influence on the minds of many, who rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience. He does anything in order to promote his kingdom of darkness, and his ministers and instruments do the very same. “Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers are also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2 Cori 11:15. The story will be unfolded at the end confirming them as deceitful workers, and their work will end in ruin and destruction.
Very often, in today’s context the way Satan influences the minds of people are through New Age. Few people any more are not affected by New Age spirituality, and its influence is partly accelerated by internet, increased communication technology and its influence is found in all well established world systems, religion, business, education, medicine, holistic healing and alternate health , self-helps and not to forget arts and media. The sad thing about this is that these experiences seem so real and convincing and very often even the elect fall a prey to it. Does this sound ‘demonic’ or something not right? I am sure that those who do not believe God’s Word, and some may even believe but do not want to live by it, may say ‘no, there is something godly about the whole thing’.
The hurt one experience is not necessarily a bodily hurt, but a spiritual hurt. This is not talking about the persecution, but a secret poisoning and infection in their souls, which should rob them of their purity and afterwards their peace. Heresy is a poison in their soul, working slowly and secretly, but will be bitterness in the end. So many new translations in Bible, in today’s society do not help the above difficult ‘ingenious trap’ either. I am grieving as I write about an incident which happened to a friend of mine who is a Bible Scholar recently. She felt strongly that deception was creeping in through the multiple Bible versions now on display, was admonished by her Spiritual leader in her church, who even called her "satan to the church."
For the above deception to be very effective and influential ‘Satan’ has to come as ‘an angel of light’ and we have to know his claims and statements. Satan said, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.” Isa 14:14. He did not say that he will be the Most High, but he would be like the Most High. The same deception which occurred in the Garden of Eden “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die; For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” Gen 3:4-5, is happening today. It is the subtlety of Satan to blemish the reputation of the Divine Law as uncertain or unreasonable, and so to draw people to sin. The New Age Movement as a whole fits the above description and the alluring, that looks and feels like valid is the enemy’s strategy to move towards the kingdom of darkness in a slow and steady process.
The enemy denies that there was any danger in it, insisting, that it might be the transgressing of a precept, but not the incurring of a great penalty; “ye shall not surely die” Gen 3;4b. The enemy teaches men to doubt first and then to deny God’s Word, the Truth. He makes them skeptics first, and then on a sliding scale, on a slippery slope he makes them Atheists. King Saul is another prime example in the Old Testament who ignored God’s Word totally and went to mediums; “So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the Word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of the one that had the familiar spirit, to enquire of it; and enquired not of the Lord: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse” 1 Croni 10:13-14.
When Christ comes with power into the soul, He begins to conquer these enemies, and He goes on conquering in the progressive work of sanctification till He has gained us a complete victory. Some how for those who fall a prey to this New Age influence, the power of the Cross, and the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the Cross 2000 years ago because of God’s dying love for this sinful world does not seem to be enough!
The reason that the New Age is wrong is simply because it takes the glory, devotion, trust and worship from the One who created us and it was given to man and the rebellious spirits who deceives men into self-glorification. Glory belongs to God alone who is wise and who gave His Son Jesus Christ for the world, and gave His Holy Spirit abundantly to His children. Every believer who has Christ’s Spirit abiding in them has a special royal privilege and calling to challenge the validity of the New Age message that ‘we are gods’!
References:
1. Warren B. Smith, “ A Wonderful Deception” The Further new Age Implications of the Emerging/ Purpose Driven Movement, Lighthouse Trails Publishing, Eureka, Montana, 2009; Pgs: 139-161.
2. The Shack, William P. Young; Amazon.ca.
3. Ray Yungen, “A Time of Departing” How Ancient Mystical Practices are uniting Christians with the World’s Religions, Lighthouse Trails Publishing, Eureka, Montana, U.S.A, 2002; pgs: 91-110.
4. The Matthew Henry Study Bible, ‘King James version’ The best of Matthew Henry’s Notes in a Handy One Volume Reference Bible, World Bible Publishers, Inc; 1994, Iowa Falls, U.S.A.
5. Ray Yungen, “For Many Shall Come in My Name” How the “Ancient Wisdom” is drawing millions of people into mystical experiences and preparing the world for the end of the age; 2nd edition 2007, 3rd printing 2008.
Websites:
1. Do not be deceived about the Restrainer - Last Days Mystery
Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the .... to deceive even the elect--if that were possible” (Matthew 24:24). ...
www.lastdaysmystery.info/restrainer.htm - Cached -
2 .Deceive Even the Elect by Dene McGriff
DECEIVE EVEN THE ELECT. Matthew 24:24b. By. Dene McGriff. The Bible tells us thatin the “last days” Christian will deliver up Christian, thinking they are ...
www.the-tribulation-network.com/.../deceive_even_the_elect.htm - Cached - Similar
3. Recognizing Deception and Apostasy Chapter 15 - Can Christians be ...
Do we think the great deception of the last days will be obvious? The Bible ...
www.the-tribulation-network.com/.../ch15_can_christians_be_deceived.htm -Cached - Similar
Show more results from the-tribulation-network.com
4. The Shack; The protagonist of author William P. Young's novel meets God in person. Features author's personal story, blog, online ordering, forum, and news.
The Missy Project - Get the latest news about The Shack - The Shack Interactive
www.theshackbook.com/ -
5. Oprah and her New Age mystics arise for end time deception
18 Apr 2008 ... Oprah and her New Age mystics arise for the great end time deception.
www.thepropheticyears.com/.../oprah-and-her-new-age-mystics-arise-for-end-time-deception.html
Other References:
1.John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty, ‘Introduction To Biblical Counseling’, “A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling”(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers,1994, P. 76-77)
2. Jay E. Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s Manual, The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973, p. 15-16, 21-23; 92-97)
3. Jay E. Adams, ‘Lectures on Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203)
4. Lewis Sperry Chafer, ‘Systematic Theology’ Volume One, Abridged edition, John F. Walvoord, Editor, Donald K. Campbell, Roy B. Zuck, Consulting Editors, (Indiana: BMH Books, 1988, p. 94-95)
5. Wim Malgo, ‘Biblical Counseling’ From Twenty- Five Years of the International Ministry by Wim Malgo, (Columbia: The Mid Night Call, 1979, p.9-12; 20-21)
6. Gary L. Almy, M.D., ‘How Christian is Christian Counseling?’ The Dangerous Secular Influences That Keep Us From Caring For Souls, (Illinois: Crossway Books, Good News Publishers, 2000, p. 56-63)
7. J.
8. Jay E. Adams, ‘Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling’ Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started, (
9. Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand rapids: Zondervan, 1986, p. 20-28)
10. David G. Benner & Peter C. Hill, ‘Baker Encyclopaedia of Psychology & Counseling’ Second Edition, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1985, 1999, p.568-569)
Proclaiming God's Word - A new Gallup poll finds that Americans value self-esteem and self-fulfillment more than “traditional” morality. Thus, divorce is morally acceptable to 69%, homosexual relationships is acceptable to 56%; and sex outside of marriage is acceptable to 60%. Richard Land, the president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, an arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, says it is Americans’ supposed right to be loved that has produced this thinking. He said that putting self-fulfilling behavior over moral responsibly is “narcissistic,” “selfish,” and “self-idolatry” (“Americans Rank Top Immoral Sins,” Christian Post, June 10, 2011). That is exactly right, but what is the root of this problem? How did “Christian America,” with its hundreds of thousands of churches, come to think like this? The problem lies in the pulpits. The shepherds have preached love of self more than fear of God. They have tickled the ears of the people with fads and fables instead of forthrightly proclaiming God’s Word.
ReplyDeleteSource: wayoflife.org