"Deception" by Costa Deir part # 6 (of 8)

Personal Responsibility and Societal Structure

Understanding Personal Responsibility in Discernment

• The discussion begins with the importance of personal responsibility in discernment, transitioning to our responsibilities towards others.

The Enemy's Tactics Against Society

• Reference to Second Timothy 3:1-5 highlights 19 destructive aspects that threaten societal structure, indicating a deliberate attempt by the enemy to undermine society.

• The intent of the enemy is identified as severing relationships with God through sin and creating a lawless society for control.

Characteristics of Last Days

• Emphasis on how adherence to scripture and God's standards prevents the enemy from ruling effectively.

• A detailed description of perilous times characterized by self-love, pride, disobedience, and lack of natural affection among people.

Amplification of Deception

• These deceptive traits are seen as forms of deception that will intensify in the last days, which are prevalent today.

• Analyzing each deceptive manifestation reveals the seriousness of current societal conditions.

Crisis of Confidence

Breakdown of Agreements

• Discussion on "truth breakers" reflects a crisis in confidence where leaders fail to uphold agreements publicly.

• This breakdown leads to an inability to trust or agree on commitments within society.

Importance of Faithfulness and Loyalty

• Stressing that faithfulness and loyalty are crucial for maintaining agreements; understanding these terms is essential for effective relationships.

Attacks on God's Character

Superficial Relationships vs. Genuine Love

• Selfishness undermines true love, leading to superficial relationships rather than genuine connections.

• Infatuation often misleads individuals into marriage without understanding true love versus infatuation.

Consequences of Lack of Knowledge

• Marital conflicts arise from ignorance about differences in beliefs and values; proper knowledge is vital for resolution.

Rise of New Religions

Alarm Over Competing Beliefs

• Notable increase in various religions competing against one another; this trend has been observed since the early 1970s.

Deception Through Religion

• Different religions represent various forms of deception; traditional views bind individuals to rules rather than fostering a relationship with God.

The Church's Role Amidst Deception

Visualizing Attacks on the Church

• The church faces numerous ideological attacks from different belief systems (e.g., Buddhism, secularism), all viewed as deceptions targeting its integrity.

Call for Awareness

Responsibility and Mission in the World

The Nature of Responsibility

• We have a dual responsibility: towards ourselves and others, which extends beyond local or national boundaries to an international level.

Christ's Threefold Mission

• Christ's mission encompasses love, light, and life. His love acts as a magnetic force that draws people to Him.

Meeting Needs Through Love

• Jesus actively met people's needs, contrasting with religious leaders who lacked genuine care. His love brought them light and imparted life through God's Word.

Presence of God Through Love

• Love manifests the presence of God wherever one goes. Genuine expressions of love for Christ evoke profound emotional responses in people.

The Challenge of False Religions

• The rise of various religions is attributed to Satan's influence, aiming to divert individuals from knowing God through Christ’s love.

Equality and Authority

Equality Among Humanity

• All humans are equal in birth due to sin and equally saved by grace; however, functional differences exist between men and women.

Complementary Roles

• Men and women complement each other; leadership does not imply superiority but rather increased responsibility as ordained by God.

Understanding Authority

• Leadership should not be equated with tyranny; it involves executing responsibilities effectively without implying superiority over others.

Rejection of Authority

Denial of Divine Authority

• Many reject God's authority out of a desire for freedom from accountability, often leading to rebellion against established principles.

Atheism as Deception

• Atheism is viewed as a form of deception rather than true disbelief; individuals may deny authority for personal convenience.

Intercession for Leaders

Personal Experiences with Leaders

• An anecdote about interceding for Khrushchev highlights the potential impact prayer can have on influential figures who were once atheists but began acknowledging God.

Transformation Through Prayer

• Following intercessory prayers, Khrushchev started mentioning God publicly during speeches, indicating a shift influenced by faith-based support.

Prophetic Dreams and Deception in the Church

The Role of Prayer and Intercession

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of heartfelt prayer and intercession for leaders, suggesting that prophetic dreams are not a common gift.

• There is a concern about the rising popularity of certain figures due to their manipulative tactics, which may lead people away from genuine faith.

Acceleration of Deception

• The speaker notes that both the world and church are experiencing an increase in demonic deception, indicating a need for discernment.

• Popular personalities within the church can introduce errors into doctrine, leading many to be misled by deceptive teachings.

Protection Against Deception

• Knowledge of truth is presented as essential protection against deception; ignorance leaves individuals vulnerable.

• Emphasizing the richness of truth, it is stated that deeper understanding leads to enlightenment and resilience against falsehood.

Importance of Scriptural Examination

• The practice of diligently searching scriptures is highlighted as crucial for discerning truth from error.

• Knowledgeable individuals should continuously seek scriptural validation rather than accepting teachings at face value.

Revelation vs. Interpretation

• It’s noted that having revelation alone isn’t sufficient; correct interpretation is vital to avoid falling into deception.

• Many chase after new revelations but risk losing sight of foundational truths, leading to spiritual disintegration.

Authority and Submission in Spiritual Context

Challenges in Authority Dynamics

• A call for unity among believers is made, warning against fragmentation caused by chasing various teachings or movements.

• The speaker argues that constant repairs on wounded members prevent progress towards fulfilling God’s mission globally.

Need for Informed Leadership

• There’s a plea for balanced teaching within the church to ensure congregants receive comprehensive counsel from God’s word.

Maturity as Defense Against Deception

• Spiritual maturity is linked directly with susceptibility to deception; immaturity leaves individuals vulnerable to misleading doctrines.

Acknowledging God's Supremacy

• Three key acknowledgments about God are outlined: His supremacy overall, sovereignty over all events, and authority to rule universally.

Satan's Tactics Against Authority

Independence from God

• Satan's desire for independence from God's authority is identified as a major issue affecting both the church and society today.

Misunderstanding Authority

• Distinction between submission (which involves love and respect for authority), versus subjugation (which implies oppression), is discussed.

Confusion in Authority Structures

Understanding God's Authority and Deception

The Importance of Submission to God

• God's authority is established through scripture, guiding believers on how to submit spiritually and obey in actions. Our safety from deception hinges on this submission and obedience.

Recognizing Deception

• Deception begins with a lie; Eve's experience illustrates that disbelieving God leads to believing Satan. Strong faith in scripture helps identify ungodly interpretations that dilute truth.

Testing Revelations Against Scripture

• Any revelation must be thoroughly tested against scriptural principles before being accepted as valid for helping others.

The Role of the Cross in Revelation

• Every divine revelation should include the concept of sacrifice (the cross), emphasizing that fulfilling God's will requires personal cost. Knowing God's will comes from doing His will.

Personal Responsibility in Faith

• Believers are responsible for various aspects of their lives, including motives, intentions, attitudes, thoughts, words, actions, reactions, expressions, tone of voice, and spirit. Understanding these areas is crucial for spiritual growth.

The Consequences of Selfishness

The Impact of Selfish Motives

• Selfish motives hinder progress in relationships with God and others; everything done must glorify God to be effective.

Subtle Forms of Deception

• Attitudes can lead to subtle deceptions where one may say the right things but harbor contrary feelings. This discrepancy can be difficult to discern.

Accountability and Responsibility

Blame Shifting as Deception

• Many people deflect responsibility by blaming others for their failures. This behavior contributes to a culture of irresponsibility which is a form of deception.

Scriptural Accountability

• Everyone will ultimately account for their actions—good or bad—as stated in scripture. There is no escape from accountability despite being deceived.

Key Scriptures on Accountability

Understanding Success and Spiritual Authority

The Confusion of Progress

• The speaker discusses the confusion that can hinder progress, emphasizing that without clarity on what to do, individuals may either do nothing or make incorrect decisions.

Principles for Success

• Two key philosophies for success are introduced: "Know how" and "self-discipline," which the speaker claims led to personal success even when others were failing.

Divine Principles in the Kingdom of God

• The importance of applying divine principles is highlighted, suggesting that knowledge of God's truth is essential for discerning enemy tactics.

Awareness of Deception

• A reference to 2 Corinthians 2:11 underscores the necessity of not being ignorant about the devil's devices to avoid being taken advantage of by deception.

Personal Testimony and Demonic Encounters

• The speaker shares a personal story involving a girl with demonic manifestations linked to witchcraft, illustrating real-life spiritual battles faced during ministry work.

Spiritual Warfare in Bethlehem

• An account from Bethlehem describes challenges encountered while helping a girl affected by demonic forces, showcasing the complexities involved in spiritual deliverance.

Confronting Demonic Forces

• The narrative continues with an instance where demons recognized the speaker upon entering a room, indicating their awareness of spiritual authority and past encounters.

Authority Over Darkness

• The speaker reflects on intense spiritual battles faced in various locations, emphasizing that many people were saved through persistent efforts against demonic influences.

Becoming a Divine Bulldozer

• A powerful metaphor is introduced: being enriched with truth and anointing transforms believers into "divine bulldozers," instilling fear in opposing forces due to their authority in Christ.

Enlightenment in Christ