Friday, March 15, 2013

The Art of Deception

THE ART OF DECEPTION
 

 
This 25 year old woman mourns at the grave of her 28 year old brother who lost his life while fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There was a recent documentary on television called “Hubris” which outlines the manipulation and sometimes out right lying which led America to war in Iraq. After ten years we still have a presence in Iraq and soldiers still die in Afghanistan. And before going in the lying tongues of politicians told the public that this would not be another Vietnam.

War breeds lying and manipulation and many people become wealthy. And war brings death and mutilation and misery. But the patriotic spirit many times covers up the reality and horror of war and provides a forum for well fed and hedonistic people to revel in a misguided nationalistic spirit. It happens oh so often among believers as well. Thousands of men and women have died and many thousands will live wounded and maimed for the rest of their lives. But let us be very clear, except for the initial attempt to bring justice to Osama Bin Laden, the rest was manipulated lies by the ruling political class in America.

Although President Obama presented a platform that was less aggressive than was President Bush’s, his policies are very close to that of his predecessor. I am not a part of any of it, but I continue to feel a strong sense of responsibility to inform and correct my brothers and sisters in Christ because so many of them are walking in a state of delusion. Nationalism, moralism, violence, and war in general are all at odds with the teachings of Jesus, if that even matters anymore.

This is not a contest between liberals and conservatives or between Democrats and Republicans. This, for us as believers, must be a reinforcing of what we know to be true as it pertains to Jesus, His gospel and His teachings to His followers. The world is a colossal mess, and America if measured by the teachings of Christ is no better than Russia or China. Just because a country has religious freedom does not in any way mean they are more or less moral than a country which does not.

In many ways this earthly freedom has built an unseen bridge which systematically transfers fallen ideas into the church as well as removing any deep spiritual commitment from within the church. It is in this clandestine way that the church has become a product of the culture and not a product of the Spirit. On the Day of Pentecost it wasn’t the Roman government which proclaimed Christianity as legitimate and produced a constitution which contained a “free exercise clause”. Those men and women in the upper room did not spill out into the streets to begin a Tea Party movement designed to protect their religious freedom.

No, the church was born of the Holy Spirit distinctly separated from and at odds with the fallen course of the world. In fact, for many, it would cost them their lives to follow Jesus. It still does cost many their lives today. But the church has become so blind and deaf that it does not see the vicious dangers connected with any earthly freedom. In fact the church revels in that which is killing her. Believers have bought into what the secular schools have taught them. And instead of a remarkable and separate thought process which makes it distinctly Biblical and diametrically opposed to this world, the church walks in lockstep with its national origin.

And now the church endorses killing and violence whenever America takes to the battlefield. And believers continue to drink the Kool Aid offered by the secular media. And in an astonishing and breathtaking spectacle, carnal and hate filled men like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity and women like Ann Coulter are loved by millions of professing believers. That in and of itself is profound evidence concerning the depth of deception and how the Christian faith has been changed in order to fit in with conventional patriotic thought.

But violence covers the earth and permeates the culture. Headstones continue to be added to military graveyards. Tens of thousands return home wounded physically and emotionally. And the fallen world continues to manipulate the people into supporting what they say they believe to be true. The entire system is one of deceit and decay and all kinds of diabolical trickery. And money flows like a river. And in the midst of all this is the church…participating, supporting, and joining hands with the enemies of Christ. The young woman in the picture was mourning the death of her brother. But that picture could also be a metaphor for a believer mourning the spiritual death of the church. We as followers of Jesus should not even believe the words of unbelievers when they speak the truth since that is an unstable bridge which eventually leads to lies.

10 comments:

Lorena said...

This is so true Rick. That photo speaks a multitude of words. Such heartache. What a hateful, murderous thing war is.
God the Holy Spirit dwells within us. He is always right here with us. How we must grieve Him when we follow after man's way and forget what Christ teaches and says.
Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity and all are not heroes. They are fallen human beings who desperately need Jesus Christ, so they can be saved and forgiven and live.

michael said...

I think you would hit a raw nerve with this message perchance one of these schemer personalities were to have to be confronted by it. Why?

Because they and we operate on entirely different terms and make no mistake about it, their terms and ours have quite deadly eternal consequences!

I don't suppose you intend on backing down or letting up?

And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15 ESV)

Anonymous said...

Amen.

Since I was young, every avenue of life felt a bit hopeless. My nursing class professors were going braless and teaching yoga and the feminist liberal theme was all the rage. It was everywhere; my respect your elders/grandparents/submit to the men of the family upbringing didn't coincide with the world outside.

And if I thought it was bad then, today for young adults it's 10 times worse. My 23 year-old son holds out little hope finding a christian girl that isn't into buying into society's lies. It is almost impossible to find a person that isn't somehow plugged into the world.

Lies are something that no one is ashamed of spreading anymore, if it serves their higher purpose. There have been so many lies in media, false accusations, exagerations, refusal to apologize, verbal attacks that has accelerated and increased these past few years, that our young adults believe that lying eventually gets them what they want.

And the way junior politicians disrespectfully address older politicians is a disgrace, and a horrible example to set to the youth. Our society has crumbled and christians are participating in these games. And christians are endorsing and praising people who act this way. What has happened? Every loving command that is entrusted to us in the New Testament isn't demonstrated by those who have a platform. It's like a new breed of christian has come in and become taskmasters, whipping up frenzy, division, hate, over-zealous pride, contentiousness, unthankfulness, victimhood, disrespect for elders, disrespect for those who have the authority over them.

The young adult christians today see this and are at a crossroads that is so much harder to bear than the crossroads we, their parents, bore in the 60's and 70's. We had a fighting chance to escape the clutches of the enemy. Now the enemy lurks as a christian who promises them lots of money. Who can they trust?

We're possibly in the tribulation. I always thought it would be chaos, financial collapse, natural disasters, wars, and such and that we would be running for the hills, but maybe, just maybe the church's tribulation isn't the world's tribulation. Maybe the church's tribulation is a soul yielding to Satan's lies; living comfortably and believing that the heathen should serve the christian community. With that attitude, few will be able to pull themselves out. And the tribulation won't affect christians (in the valley of decision) physically or in any harmful way, but it will be a time of tribulation of their souls, where they won't discern it.

To think that a christian traded his christian inheritance to a hedonistic society - playing with his soul for the things that Fox News offers, would be a worse tribulation to endure when one realized that we bought the lie on Judgment Day. And the Hannity's, Warrens, Grahams, Limbaugh's, Huckabee's, tea party, GOP, Focus on the Family, America First groups can't save a christian, nor can any government. The wolves in sheep's clothing should be easy to identify. They are out to distract with a white-toothed grin, preaching to their viewers from their studios with their multi-million dollar contracts. I can't find it now, but there is verse about a poor man in a village that warned the village about impending doom and because he was poor, he was ignored. If a man or woman who is beautiful and dressed beautifully and is rich and exciting speaks to christians, they are entranced. But they can't see the inside, full of dead man's bones.

If John the Baptist himself came back and walked the streets in a potato sack and sandals, a walking stick and had no contract or book in the making, so-called christians would mock him and tell him to pull up his bootstraps and work and then accuse President Obama of concocting a scheme of hiring John the Baptist to demonstrate the need for food stamps.

Teresa said...

This post is so full of truth. I recently read a book about the financial and spiritual cost of war. It was of course written by a secular "liberal" type but there were so many hard cold facts about just what is involved, and the costs I could not put it down, but it disgusted me. This is what the average Christian in America thinks is ok? If Ann Coulter, et all is in anyway some sort of mouthpiece for these folks, well I don't understand how they can think this is Christianity unless they have never actually read the Bible. Scary times brother and wise words!

Anonymous said...

Good post Rick. I feel the same way you do Anonymous 10:55AM. I am having a difficult time not becoming cynical about "new events in the news" every day. In fact, I try not to read the news but continue to read my bible & pray everyday. I want everyone to know how much I appreciate you because the next moment may not be there.

Please could you pray for my husband, LeRoy to receive salvation and his VA disability. He lost 2/3 of his rt lung as a jet engine mechanic for 30 yrs w/the govt. We have kept in touch w/the govt and updating his info. Now it's been nearly a yr that we haven't heard anything on his VA disability compensation. We don't spend beyond our means but would like to pay off some bills. Thank you, Noel

Anonymous said...

Prayers for you and your husband Noel. He has supplied your needs so far, He is faithful to continue. Please know you and all here that I lift you up in prayer before the Lord everyday. Please email me Noel at cchrinc@gmail.com if I can help. God bless.

Your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.

Annette said...


In agreement with anonymous at 10:55 as well. The decay is apparent and the fillings in the tooth cavity are crumbling, exposing the rot behind them. But the issue at hand that is even more sinister is this...the churches are filled with wolves whose teeth are sharper than any scalpel. I sat in a religious system that depends, participates, and worships men and all of the systems of men, and when the Christ followers do no participate in such idolatry, then the wolves are consuming the lambs for dinner. And when you leave this vicked system, they will gossip, slander, and try to destroy you in the flesh....their true color appears like the darkest of night. I believe those sitting in churches today will lead the battle to destroy the true body of Jesus Christ....I am witnessing such a phenomenon. May our Father have mercy on our souls if He should call us to suffer for His name's sake.

Anonymous said...

Amen Annette,

And they take their evil gossip to social media to defame you publically. I too pray for His Mercy and Strength should we suffer for His name sake. But may we be counted worthy to suffer for Him too.

Your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.

Anonymous said...

Commenting from my mobile phone and I don't know yet how to sign my name.

Cherie c.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to leave a few comments here, and I'm glad I can be "anonymous". You mean that, during the entire Vietnam era, the God of the Universe, the Lord Jesus Christ, did not exist at all, or had no power, in either the U.S. or any other nation involved in that thing, unless everyone in those nations who had anything to do with that thing (government, military, business, etc.) was a duplicate of Jesus and sinlessly perfect? You mean He never helped, protected, supplied the needs of, or otherwise benefitted anyone caught in that thing, even if they were genuinely saved? You mean He couldn't have stopped (or at least slowed) it even if He wanted to? I don't think LBJ or Dick Nixon had power over God. You mean praying and interceding for the Lord to protect and preserve anyone in any armed service anywhere (saved or not) NEVER works? Praying for the physical, spiritual, and financial healing of anyone caught in any adverse military situation NEVER works?

I've read Christian and secular books over the years that have suggested that there is not one single person left in the entire Western world (saved or not) who believes that the Lord Jesus Christ is more powerful than Satan; OR that He has ANY power, control, influence, or authority in ANY form upon the Earth.

Sometimes I think the real reason we don't hear much preaching on Hell anymore is because the vast majority of both saved and lost people on Earth believe they're in it now, and God is "out of the picture" entirely.

It's no wonder there have been some "born-again Christian" singers/songwriters/recording artists over the past four decades pretty much coming out and advocating suicide on the grounds of "God's absence". I won't do it, but I could name names.

Please forgive me if have offended anyone. Comments welcome.