"Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity." -- Matthew 7:21-23
There are certain professing ministers of God, children of God, but in truth, are children of the devil. These children of the devil, are very deceptive like their father. They draw people to themselves and show signs and wonders and to the amazement of the people, they believe and say that "this man is truely a son of God". They think because they see the signs and wonders that the false minister must really know God. They are deceived as Eve was, seeing things "pleasant to the eyes" and biting in.
When sincere men and woman come to these children of wrath, in hope of being healed, receiving something by the miraculous. Or perhaps they come to these ministers, simply to learn truth. Now these men may teach some solid doctrine, many will even publicly declare, "Lord, Lord". Perhaps even 100% of their teaching is true. Yes, hear me clearly. A child of the devil can even teach truth, He can even do mighty miracles, mighty works in the name of Jesus Christ.
How easy for a minister of Satan, to deceive many! With truth in his lips, miracles under his feet, who can discern that he is a ravenous wolf? Ah! I will give that answer, but first hear the proverb, "For the Lord gives wisdom: out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding."Who can discern and see right through a snake? Who can pierce a soul with His eyes and burn right through a heart? The Lord. Hear wisdom: "Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven."
You may wonder than, how it is these false ministers do there miracles if they aren't real Christians. Well remember, the magicians in Egypt, how they imitated some of the plagues. Surely if a magician can seem to appear miraculous, surely these false ministers are nothing more than magicians themselves, disguised in sheeps clothing, but are inwardly ravenous wolves. They never knew God, therefore, they rightly hear, " I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity."
So how is it that we can wake up out of deceit? How is it that those who are deceived can escape the claws of Satan and discern what is true and what is not in this case, with ministers who do signs and wonders?
Well first off, know that you can't know if someone is a real Christian by there signs and wonders. As we have seen, magicians can perform signs and wonders and still not be Christians, but really children of the devil. So make it a habit of not looking for signs and wonders, to be evidence of a real Christian.
Second, cry to God for wisdom and discernment.
Thirdly, realize that it is 'he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven," that will enter the kingdom of heaven. Is this minister doing the will of God? This will be hard to find out, do not make it a duty to find out either, rather hear these words of Jesus:
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them." -- Matthew 7:15-20
Notice Jesus says, "You shall know them by their fruits.....Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them." Not by anything else, but by their fruit, this is one of the 'litmus tests', if you want to call it that, how you ought to know whether someone is a real Christian or not. Do not be deceived! Do not be deceived! "He that says, I know Him (Jesus Christ), and keeps not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." -- 1 John 2:4
In conclusion, bind Jesus' words in Matthew 7:15-20 around your neck and never let them forsake you. Remember them and study them. It would be even good to read the book of 1st John.
A servant of the most high God;
A son by Jesus Christ;
Paul Mcgrade
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