We have been waiting for this day so impatiently, and this day has come. A great number of people from Ukraine, Russia, Belorussia, Germany, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and even Nigeria came to the summer fast to quench their thirst for God, touch Him and pay a visit to their huge family. And the most important is to renew their love for the truth. This summer fast day began with praise and worship of God. All people were dancing and rejoicing in God’s presence. The spirit of unity was pouring out all over the church.
During a prayer pastor Sunday quoted the following scripture: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, tofree captives from prison andto release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” (Isaiah 42:6-7).
Pastor asked everyone to read the scripture attentively applying the word “You” on ourselves perceiving everything that was said personally. The words “I will make you to be a covenant for the people” mean that God needs us to fulfill His will, for we are instruments in His hands. All of us are called to bring the light to a definite “nation”: such as politics, education, women, teenagers etc. Some of us are called to carry the light of salvation to definite cities and even countries. As Christians we are an answer to this world.
The first topic of pastor Sunday’s teaching is named “The truth or the spirit of delusion.”
When we close our eyes to deception, being indifferent to this topic; we ignore, do not pay attention or are not wise enough to notice deception in order to stop it in time. As a result the following things are taking place:
- Destruction
- Death
- Elimination
- Extermination
- Betrayal
- Slaughter.
Such things happen not only to some people, but whole nations.
Delusion is always based on a part of the truth: the devil does not come with horns and hooves and does not declare openly: “I have brought delusion.” Delusion comes invisibly, in a sly way, so most people without pure heart and love for the truth are not able to notice it.
Delusion is what made Hitler say that the Aryans are the best of all other nations. Because of the spirit of delusion Hitler managed to destroy lots of people – 50 million people died because of the delusion of one person. It is clear today, that this idea was a delusion, but at that time millions of people were confident in reality of these beliefs. At that time Germany’s economy was one of the strongest ones in Europe and possessed military forces, which nobody could conquer. Being a superior nation Germans under Hitler started thinking that maybe:
- It is true
- All the rest are not so wise as Germans
- We are created in a special way
Delusion can influence not only the foolish, but even the wise and educated, believers and righteous people. Pastors and preachers of evangelical churches, who taught that you would not be able to know God without being baptized by the Holy Spirit and salvation, also were under the influence of the spirit of lies, delusion and seduction.
Jesus warned this spirit would be one of the strongest ones in the last times; it would be bigger and stronger than all the rest.
Jesus constantly warned His disciples that the action of lies and flattery would be so powerful that even the righteous would be in danger. “Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.” (Matt. 24:4, Mark 13:5)
Lies, flattery, seduction and delusion are one of the last weapons of the devil that will destroy even the chosen ones. If a lie is the main weapon of the devil, then truth is our main weapon. We must deliver this country from the yoke of lies.
The main weapon of God is truth. The essence of God is light. The main weapon of the devil is flatter and untruth. The essence of the devil is darkness. “Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place” (Ephesians 6:13-14)
The love of the truth is the first weapon that we can use against any devil’s attacks and evil power.
Our society is rotten because it goes for compromises. Some things we consider the truth as long as it is comfortable for us, but we are ready to reject the truth when it causes discomfort. This is how we become believers by chance, and truth is situational.
In our society there is no assurance that the only way to greatness in life lies through decency, living by rules. We are used to breaking the rules and to shortcuts.
The Bible is the foundation on which it is possible to build the life of every person and society as a whole. It is necessary to read the Bible in a different way: not only to know the story, but to love the written truth.
During Christian life every person will have enough causes and reasons to seduce and deceive themselves. Our salvation is a process. Only the love of the truth defines who will come to the end.
If we do not love the truth and abet warm-heartedness, then we bring up bandits. Children become drug addicts and criminals because they see the possibility to shortcuts. Authority of truth stops existing for them.
If one of the parents corrects a daughter or son, then the other, first of all, has to ascertain the truth, not just support the spouse in solidarity, but to make sure that the child understands the truth, to help them become better and change.
Home assignment questions on this topic:
- According to Thessalonians 2:10-12 – what kind of consequences of absence of love for the truth exist, what brings absence of love for the truth to?
- Write down 5 examples from life of such a behavior as:
- Attempts to look for loopholes
- Doing something against the existing rules,
- Shortcuts
- Attempts to live by free-for-all (free rides)
- Cowardice
- Desire to cover delinquents, be pitiful to them, sympathize them
- Attempts to conceal existing problems
- Connivance
What does it lead to? To what tragedies – addictions, prostitution, crimes, dissolute way of life – this way of life brings?
- In family: what kind of reaction should the second parent have, when the first one corrects the child? Make examples and illustrations
- How does the absence of love for the truth and connivance influence on absence of abidance by laws in the country?
From the summer fast
29 of July, 2013, Kyiv, Ukraine
Press Center of the Embassy of God Church
