"The Counterfeit 'love and light' of the Antichrist"

God is love and while there is no way that Satan can destroy love, he is making great strides in these last "minutes" of the "last days" to persuade people to accept his counterfeit "love" for the real thing. Counterfeit love is what the Antichrist and False Prophet will use to lure people into their camp. It is the kind of "agape love" that says "God loves all spiritual paths, no spiritual path offends Him. All paths lead to salvation."

But the Scriptures warn us...

A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul. But an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness. Make sure that the light you think you have is not really darkness. (Luke 11:34,35)

There is true love and there is false (counterfeit) love. There is true Light (Jesus Christ, the Light of the World) and there is the false light provided by antichrists and false prophets. And the truth is that people cannot always discern the difference between true love and false love, between true Light and the darkness of lies. That's why some people futilely search for love in relationships which are centered on things like mutual drug abuse, alcoholism, sexual passions, or monetary gain, etc.

And there are those who simply "fall in love" with anyone who will whisper in their ear anything they to want to hear. People like this all "hide" in "love" but that kind of false "love" never endures - it's all a deception. The Antichrist and False Prophet will offer that same kind of false "love and light" in an attempt to muddle people's minds and keep people from reaching the Kingdom of God.

True love cannot stand for a lie. True love from God can never be unified with a lie. Standing for Bible truths today is standing for Jesus Himself. Jesus is the truth. We cannot love Jesus, who is the Word made flesh, and deny the truth in His Word. God is love and Jesus is the Truth and the Holy Spirit bears witness to the Truth. Together, they equal TRUE LOVE. And since love and truth go hand in hand, the "love and light" offered by New Agers is the same kind of counterfeit "love and light" that the "Counterfeit Jesus," the antChrist, will offer.

Today, many Christians are falling in love with a lie. The lie that Bible truths are not as important as living in love and unity with antichrists. The lie tries to make the Christian feel like we do not love people when we disagree with a deception that another person accepts as truth. But we are not loving a person who is deceived by keeping quiet about their deception. If there is a bridge out on the road ahead, Christians should be moved with compassion to warn those on the train that they are heading for certain death.

Expressing true love isn't always a comfortable thing for the person giving it or person receiving it. How many people have loved others whom they witnessed following a self-destructive path? They saw what was wrong and tried to help the person, maybe even at that person's own request, only to have the troubled person hatefully turn on them because they didn't want to face the reality of their self-destructiveness. But, still, Christians are called to exercise true love for it is written in Romans 12:9

"Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good."

True love means having God at the center of our life in Jesus' Name and a love which is rooted in God's Word.

1 John 2:3 If we obey God's commands, then we are sure that we know him. 4 If we say that we know him, but do not obey his commands, we are liars and there is no truth in us. 5 But if we obey his word, we are the ones whose love for God has really been made perfect. This is how we can be sure that we are in union with God: 6 if we say that we remain in union with God, we should live just as Jesus Christ did.

There are always people who we may lovingly admonish and rebuke but who will say "You don't act very Christ-like! Why don't you act like Jesus?" But if they actually knew who Jesus was, they'd realize that we already are because they would understand that Jesus hated what was wrong, loved what was right and wasn't afraid to show and tell people how He felt. What, the "love and light" people say?! "Jesus HATED!" Yes, in fact, the Scriptures say that He hated more then anyone else in his lineage...

Hebrews 1:4-9
4 This shows that God's Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is far greater than their names. 5 For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father. " And again God said, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son." 6 And then, when he presented his honored Son to the world, God said, "Let all the angels of God worship him." 7 God calls his angels "messengers swift as the wind, and servants made of flaming fire." 8 But to his Son he says, "Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. Your royal power is expressed in righteousness. 9 You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else."

What Jesus hated is just as important as what he loved. He hated what was wrong - He hated those things which offended His Father - idolatry and hypocrisy being at the top of the list. Here is the truth that New Agers can't accept - if Jesus were standing in front of any one of them, He would LOVE them enough to tell them how much He HATES their New Age beliefs. Why? Because He knows how those beliefs offend His Father and how such rebellion to His Word has taken them off the path to God's Kingdom. Yes, Jesus would love them that much that He would tell them how He HATES their sin and, if He did, you could pretty well count on those New Agers calling Him a hate-monger, too. Sinners hated Jesus for telling them the truth, even to the point of killing Him.

"But Jesus was tolerant of others," say the New Agers. "Why can't you be more tolerant like Jesus!?"

Jesus did speak of tolerance in Matthew 10:14-15; 11:20-24 when He said that God will show less tolerance for those who reject Him than He showed for Sodom and Gomorrah. Fire and brimstone raining down from the sky certainly doesn't strike me as Jesus preaching tolerance.

Tolerating rebellion to God is just another form of Satan's counterfeit love - it's cheap grace at God's expense. A tolerance doctrine is an excuse for people not to change. ("I won't criticise your path if you don't criticise mine.") It gives people the feeling that they are more loving than God. But God doesn't have to conform to any individual's imaginary idea of "loving" because His love is clearly defined in the Scriptures as being based on truth and justice.

Surely, one of the most tolerant cultures of all time existed in none-other then Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham believed that there were at least 50 righteous people in the city and so it should be spared from God's wrath. But simply being indifferent to the sin as was the case in that sinful place is not a valid substitute for true righteousness and, of course, Sodom and Gomorrah were ultimately destroyed.

True Christians are intolerant of sin and false teachings about who Jesus is and what the Word of God actually says. And so because we don't tolerate lies about our Savior or God's Word, we are accused of being "unloving." I can tell you that the exposure of false doctrines and practices is a never ending job. And as long as there is one person who falsely represents who Jesus Christ really is according to Scripture then, God willing, there will always be some "intolerant" Christian around to correct them with the hope of turning them toward Jesus Christ and away from their useless "Gospel of the Imagination."

The following exhortation is from an English preacher who lived back in the 19th century named Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Pastor Spurgeon apparently preached to around 5,000 people a week and he is credited with having more religious works in print than any other English-language writer. I would like to share what I found with you because although it obviously first appeared over a hundred years ago it seems so relevant today:

"We must defend the Faith, for what would have become of us if our fathers had not maintained it? . . . Must we not play the man as they did? If we do not, are we not censuring our Fathers? It is very pretty, is it not, to read of Luther and his brave deeds. Of course, everybody admires Luther! Yes, yes, but you do not want anyone else to do the same today. . . . We admire a man who is firm in the Faith, say four hundred years ago; . . . but such a man today is a nuisance, and must be put down. Call him a narrow-minded bigot, or give him a worse name if you can think of one. Yet imagine that in those ages past Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, and their compeers had said. "The world is out of order; but if we try to set it right we shall only make a great row, and get ourselves into disgrace. Let us go to our chambers, put on our night-caps and sleep over the bad times, and perhaps when we wake up, things would have grown better." Such conduct upon their part would have entailed upon us a heritage of error. These men loved the Faith and the name of Jesus too well to see them trampled on. Note that we owe them, and let us pay to our sons the debt we owe to our fathers."
Since Martin Luther is mentioned in Pastor Spurgeon's sermon, it seems right to also include this statement from Luther:

"If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest expression every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace, if he flinches at that point."

True Christians love what is right and hate what is wrong and if people of the world choose to hate them for that, so be it for as Jesus said:

18 "When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you. 19 The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don't. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? 'A servant is not greater than the master.' Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you! 21 The people of the world will hate you because you belong to me, for they don't know God who sent me (John 15:18-21)

Today, Christians must stand firm, speaking the truth of true love in Christ even when we are hated and called "dividers, preachers of hate, intolerant, proselytizers," etc. Christians must not give in to the worldly pressures that say: "Oh come on, stop arguing and get along, just LOVE one another". That kind of love is a false love, a lazy love, a love that stands for the easy way out. True Christian love as displayed by Jesus to the Pharisees and those who opposed Him means arguing. Arguing that disagrees with sin and false doctrine and antiChrist philosphies. Arguing that separates itself from deception. Arguing that earnestly contends for faith in Christ Jesus and the true love of God that should always be delivered, never to be altered by antichrists who attempt to usurp God's True Love - a love manifested through Christ Jesus - with a false self-centered "love and light" philosophy.

New Agers share the "love" of the False Prophet and Antichrist because their great counterfeit "love" will say "let us join together in 'love and light' under the brotherhood of man and we'll be one as God created us to be one. We're all seeking the same God. We're all the same, all paths lead to God." The False Prophet and Antichrist will persuade many to follow that lie that all paths lead to salvation. And the Antichrist will quote scripture. "Jesus prayed that they all may be one, Father, even as thou and I are one," along with other scriptures along those lines. You can almost feel the power that this deception is going to have, especially on those who do not know God's Word, and when combined with demonic wonders and miracles and "loving" persuasions of "love and light."

Many people will fall for the counterfeit love and not be able to distinguish it from true love because the message will be something they want to hear (that their antichrist path leads to heaven) rather then the TRUTH which they need to hear - that Jesus said He was "the Way, the Truth and the Life." But it's always easier to love someone who is telling us what we want to hear and to convince ourselves that they are telling us those things because they love us also. Why is that?

Because the soul needs love, and needs to feel protected. It needs approval and it needs something to submit to. A person's flesh and pride will work to keep the soul from distinguishing between true love and false love. If they are craving love, flesh and pride, will reach out for whatever love seems to be available.

"Love" without Truth is nothing more than a false "love" that the world embraces - a "love" of shallow civility, false humility and "feelings" that are not grounded on the Person of Jesus Christ and His Word.

It's the New Ager's "love and light" signature you find at the end of their letters and forum posts.

In the book of Jude, the apostle urges Christians to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). If you study his warning, you'll see that he is mainly warning professing Christians who would dilute the faith rather then defend it.

Christians must love the truth of God's Word and earnestly contend for it. We must love the truth of God's Word above our desire to "get along" with others. If Christians do not do that we are not loving the true Jesus of the Bible but we are loving a lie. Satan is a liar and the father of lies. He is the father of all who love and make a lie and he's ready and willing to use his counterfeit "love" to "love" people to death. He's prepared to use his counterfeit "light" to keep people in spiritual darkness until they're so far off the path to God's Kingdom and the hour is so late, that redemption would be impossible.

And so the Scriptures say that as Christians...

We will continue to be called the enemy and will still be accused of having no love - Galatians 4:16

People will not recognize that we speak the truth in love... Ephesians 4:15

Most folks today have not 'received' the love of the truth... II Thessalonians 2:10

The direction of the country will be anything but love in deed AND truth... I John 3:18

And finally, as we may try to show and explain that love, the less we will be loved ... II Cor 12:15

These people say...

1. We are "unloving" if we criticize someone's religion.

Jesus Christ spent half of His earthly ministry criticizing people's religion - Matt 8-23; John 3-8; Luke 4-17, etc.; and he often said O ye of little faith to those who had a 'faith'. Romans 10:2-3 expose the lie of man's own religions based on man's own efforts of righteousness.

2. We are told that we have no "Christ-like spirit"! They say we do not have the "sweet spirit of Christ" because we "boldly challenge those who disagree with us".

Jesus Christ did it constantly (John 8, Matt 23). Paul did it constantly (Hymenaeus, Alexander, Demas, and others). Paul even accused a whole RACE of people as being liars and being lazy - Titus 1:12; he called them evil beasts & slow bellies.

The Pauline epistles are a direct attack against the life styles and personal convictions held by every atheist, sodomite, lesbian, bossy wife & weak husband, rebellious and controlling toddler with lazy parents, disobedient teenagers, young men mooching off their parents, Hindu, Buddhist, drunkard, Moslem, or humanist anywhere. (I Timothy 1; Hebrews 10; Ephesians 5; Colossians 3; I Corinthians 3:6; Romans 1-3, etc.)

3. The alleged "loving-caring-sharing" Christian thinks it is sinful for us to use bold and blunt talk in preaching and in our discussions.

Paul used the language of "the man on the street", and it was so plain and bold that his 'brethren' said his preaching was rude and contemptible.

For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. (2Corinthians 10:10 )

But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things. (2Corinthians 11:6)

A Biblical Warning to Christians worth remembering. Beware the New Age liars with their empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense:

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done. 8 Don't let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world, and not from Christ. 9 For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body, (Colossians 2:6-9, NLT)


- Christopher/ChristBearer

"Here is the road. Follow it." (Isaiah 30:21)

Another excellent post Coconut. I didn't want to quote all of it here to save space - but those verses from John 15:18-21 are favourites of mine. I count it a priviledge when the world hates me for standing up for Christ. I am not more important than He was.

This is a great thread, I wish everyone would read this and come to understand it. But I don't think it is likely to happen. I know that I risk becoming a bad guy( if I'm not already) here at TalkJesus, I am going to say what is on my heart. The majority of those here at TalkJesus are babies, not in the sense that they have just been born-again, but rather that they don't want to grow-up.

Babies cannot perform the necessary tasks that are required in order to sustain life, thus they need the service of someone more mature. I would not think it strange to see a baby or toddler with a bottle and having to be spoon fed, but an adolescence in need of these, I would find it sadly ridiculous.

There comes a time in our spiritual lives that we must stop requiring someone else to bring us a bottle of milk and flavored mush in a jar and learn to chew on some meat.

It is not the Lord's desire to marry an infant Bride. The Word of God paints the picture of a mature, healthy, and beautiful Bride not one sucking on a bottle and needing her diaper changed.

I have not said anything that hasn't already been said before ( read Paul's letters), But I will continue to say it until it isn't necessary any longer. I am not condemning anyone ( there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus), but if you are ashamed by what I have written then let's do something about it.

Hebrews 5:11-14
11*There is so much more we would like to say about this. But you don’t seem to listen, so it’s hard to make you understand. 12*You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures.* You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. 13*And a person who is living on milk isn’t very far along in the Christian life and doesn’t know much about doing what is right. 14*Solid food is for those who are mature, who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right.

Let's all grow up together as a family should helping each other in a ncessary fashion that will promote growth and not hinder it. Jesus said we need to become servants and I have never seen a servant that was an infant or baby, have you?

Thanks for sharing that, Coconut. I found it to be very interesting. It looks like you do a lot of work around here to keep this place going for everyone. I really appreciate your effort.

And this is just another example of the complexities involved with Christianity, and the mission assigned to us.

Though I think we all understand that it's our duty to avoid sin in our own lives, and the many complex forms that sin can take , I have always found a lot of difficulty in respect to coming up with an effective method of relaying the true meaning of God's Word to those that don't know Him. How do you get through to those that need to be saved? There seem to be so many opinions, so many different options that others present, and this is merely one of them. Those that try to save others undoubtedly have the right intention, though, we know that much for sure. From that point forth, however, there are several different avenues that can be taken.

For instance, some will refer to the southern Baptists as those that "Chase people away from God." I've heard far too many refer to the Baptists as a hateful bunch through the years, afterall, some of whom know nothing of God, others themselves who are devout Christians.

And to be honest, I'm human, and therefore must admit that I agree with such when it comes to a small segment of that particular denomination. There was a group of them that actually came up to this area to protest at a funeral recently, and I know quite well that I will never have it within my heart to do anything like that.

A famous preacher hoarding millions of dollars. I think that it's in most of our hearts to believe that such behavior would not be consistent with the true calling. Same goes for one that would be a womanizer.

A CEO donating $40k to a charity when he's worth millions. Find joy in the donation, certainly, but watch out about putting those up on a pedestal when the truth of the matter is that the person could have probably done a lot more, you know.

Those that clearly manipulate the word of God with intention for whatever purpose, another thing that we're bound to be unhappy about. A Christian that doesn't warn what may be ahead for a friend or acquaintence consumed by a life of adultry, or one that might be cheating, stealing, etc. Reminding those consumed by their achievements in life that they themselves are powerless without God, etc.

But how do you come to approach the overall issue in the more challenging walks of life? There are a number of methods and circumstances that go beyond the norm, each of which that may require somewhat of a different approach.

Yesterday I discussed a hypothetical situation involving a young teenager considering abortion. How does one approach that issue if the child hadn't grown up in a home that knew of God, an env't where she had been abused, alcoholic parents, etc.

The sin of the child has come to ruin her life under such circumstances, but how do you approach those that truly know nothing about right or wrong?

I'm not a fan of Psychology that isn't based on Christian teachings, but it would be very difficult to ignore the theory in this circumstance, one would have to imagine. One look at the number of our young people committing suicide today, and we can certainly confirm that there is more pain in today's world than at just about any other point in history.

So at that point, would it truly be the wiser choice to inform the child considering abortion under such circumstances that she will go to hell for what she is about to do, to warn her of her evil ways, and to leave it at that? What risk would there be that you might be responsible for turning the child away from God by doing so? Telling a person that already hates him/herself that they are bound for hell, I would probably have to question that type of approach.

It is also estimated that 90% of adult film stars were molested as children/teenagers. How do you approach that type of situation? Point being, how do you call out the sinner and plead with them to turn to Him when there are real life circumstances in place, those brought by the devil's hand, those that probably have something to do with the nature of their ongoing sin? There's no question that their behavior can't go on, etc, but how do you use the gospel to change the person that is a sinner because of emotional trauma?

Recently, a Christian radio program aired a story that targeted teenagers. The ten minute tale involved a Christian girl that had started dating a boy. She decided to approach an elder of the church for advise with this relationship, at which time he asked whether or not the boy was a believer.

The story continues, and it turns out that the boy hadn't grown up in a Christian home, and therefore the girl decides to end the relationship after he refused to attend church with her and her family one Sunday. He did not rule out the possibility in the near future, but having just met the girl, it appeared that he just wasn't comfortable attending services with her family yet.

In Cor 18:20, we are basically told to avoid relations with non-believers, and therefore that is likely the basis of that short narrarative.

Unfortunately, my heart had some trouble with this particular storyline in particular.

For starters, the boy wasn't "Making any moves" on the girl. They would go out and have picnics, afternoon adventures, etc, but at no point in the story was the boy making any advances on the girl.

Furthermore, they made him out to be about the nicest kid that you'd ever find. Extremely polite, respectful, etc. But the the point of the story was that he wasn't a believer, and therefore the girl had made the proper decision to end the relationship than and there. But what if the boy eventually had decided to attend church with his/her family? What if she would have had the ability to change him, leading him toward the Father? Quite often, those are the types of issues I deal with inside. He's made me into a deep thinker on this type of stuff, and so it is to say that I'm constantly examining areas like this.

And I think that falls directly into the heart of this type of thing. It seems that no only do we have our own lives to worry about in respect to our personal relationship with Him, but we must also be concerned about the world itself, now more than ever, and those that have not yet turned to Him.

One of you mentioned "Toughness." You say that we have to be adult-like with our faith, steadfast, moreless, I believe is what you were saying. And I couldn't agree with you more.

We might well be living in one of the more hypocritical periods in history when it comes to Christianity. 80+% of those in the United States are allegedly Christians, yet we have more sin in place right now than we've ever had.

Thankfully, we've had a re-awakening period take place, somewhat, at least. Afterall, there are undoubtedly some Christians putting out the warning calls for change, which is needed, and we also find those stepping up to defy His calling. Some are predicting that we've approached the end times, even, which might well be justified to some degree, even though we are not to dwell on that hour, based on what I've read, at least. For good reason, too, I tend to think, because you never know by making that decision whether or not one is taking away from the true nature of what we're supposed to be doing here for Him.

But at the very minimum, we see what's wrong with this place. We know of the evil that we're living in, we recognize what's wrong with just about everything we see. And there's that sense of isolation, undoubtedly. And as you mention, there is every reason to believe that Jesus felt the same -

"There are always people who we may lovingly admonish and rebuke but who will say "You don't act very Christ-like! Why don't you act like Jesus?" But if they actually knew who Jesus was, they'd realize that we already are because they would understand that Jesus hated what was wrong, loved what was right and wasn't afraid to show and tell people how He felt. What, the "love and light" people say?! "Jesus HATED!" Yes, in fact, the Scriptures say that He hated more then anyone else in his lineage..."

I like every word of this paragraph, except one, that which conjoins the Son of the Father with the word hate. There's an enormous difference between hate and frustration. We have all felt hate at some point in our life, and I would doubt that any of us came out better with whatever they were facing by feeling hate.

Contrary to what we find in so much of the current movement, it's important to remember that Scripture points out that Jesus raised His voice only one time in the temple. He was also adimately unhappy with the state of the world He was living in, and He clearly pointed out what He felt was wrong with it.
And we find many of those same things once again in today's world. How can we possibly be happy with so much of what we find in today's world-the corruption to be found in so many areas of organized relgions, general greed, adultry, deception, HATE, advantage taking, broken families/homes, lost souls, victims of the evils that have been created

To condemn the word "Hate" hate here might seem to be somewhat nit picky. Again, we all know that He was extremely angry with the world around Him, and its system.

But never, ever will I support any such theory that suggests the notion that Christ hated. Hate is a human quality. Though I might not have actual scripture to support my feelings, I have to refuse to believe the Jesus I know hated anyone at all. That type of assumption can only come from the intellect and/or interpretation of man, we that shall always fall short of the true glory of Christ.

Christ also loved His children more than just about anything. His love for children was very apparent, going so far as to point them out as an example for us to live by. Thus, even though there is certainly the requirement to remain steadfast in faith, to stay true to the Word and stay strong within, I think we sometimes need to embrace the message behind the innocent love of our children, too.

I've probably witnessed Christ's true meaning by simply observing the actions of the little ones He brings into the world more than I have in the words of any fire and brimstone sermon, which is not to say that I don't take such potential fate seriously. It is only to say that I will forever choose the meaning behind God's true love and goodness before I concern myself with the fate that the devil has in store for us if we choose the wrong path.

So, while sin and all of its evils is enough to break our heart in today's world, I would almost have to argue that so too can be the selfishness that comes by soley focusing on all of the negatives and evils, which I myself have certainly been a victim of recently.

Though there is exceptional goodness and meaning among those that gather to give glory to the Father, we must also not allow ourselves to become too overburdened by the evils of this place. That is certainly not to say that we need to change ourselves in order to feel better about it. Afterall, we've arrived where we are because we see the truth to all of this.

But at that point we probably have a choice to make. Do we sit back and pity the world and do nothing, or do we go out and try to do good for Him. Christ indirectly referenced our need to assist the poor over 500 times in the New Testament, I've been told. Thus, one never knows what type of reward might be created for His lost souls by volunteering for a day or two at the Salvation Army. What about going over to visit that little lonely grandma down the block that appears to have little else to do each day but walk her little dog up and down the block for a half hour, etc.

For those with mass fortunes, there might always be that child that can be saved through your contributions, much like the circumstances involved with the ficticious teenager considering having an abortion, etc.

Until His return, we will always live on that same dark world, and it's not going to change because we've seen the truth. All we can do is work to bring love to the hearts of those that have lost their way, and to do all that we can to honor Him and return His truth to the world, though we mustn't be rebellious.
God ='s love, we know that. So giving love a try can never hurt. And sometimes anger is part of love, certainly, but I do think that a person has to be very cautious w/ it, never allowing it take control. To feel the sadness of this world is entirely justified, but to allow the anger that might result from such can become a dangerous pathway for one's soul, on the same hand, one that might allow love to take a backseat to anger, or even worse yet, hate itself.

Bingo !!! . Talk about shining light on the devil . Right on time coco . God brings all things to light , tho some try hard to hide . Great thread . MikeT4G

I Hate

This may seem like a peculiar statement from a gospel preacher. It is true. Not only is it true, but if I am faithful to Christ I must hate.

I know love is the greatest thing in the world (1 Corinthians 13:13). I know that love is great, that it passes knowledge (Ephesians 3:19). I know that Jesus said the love of God surpasses everything else: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment" (Matthew 22:37,38). Yet to serve God faithfully I must hate with a passion.

Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:16). Any other 'way' is a false way.

Now listen to this: "Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way" (Psalm 119:104). "You who love the LORD, hate evil!" (Psalm 97:10). "Hate evil, love good" (Amos 5:15).

David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, goes even farther and says: "Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with a perfect hatred; I count them my enemies" (Psalm 139:21,22).

God hates corrupt religion. He warned Israel not to adopt heathen forms of worship: "You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it" (Deuteronomy 12:31,32).

God hates evil men: "The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity" (Psalm 5:5).

David, the man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22), wrote: "I have hated the congregation of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked" (Psalm 26:5); "I have hated those who regard vain idols; but I trust in the LORD" (Psalm 31:6).

In the world around us there are many things which God hates.

"These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren" (Proverbs 6:16-19)

They who love God must hate the things which God hates.

When wisdom speaks in Proverbs she says: "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate"(Proverbs 8:13).

"A righteous man hates lying" (Proverbs 13:5). "A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days" (Proverbs 28:16).

Through the prophet Isaiah, God said to Israel: "Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them" (Isaiah 1:14). These were the very things that God commanded, but He says He hates them. Why? "Your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow" (Isaiah 1:15b-17).

If our heart is not pure then our worship is not acceptable before God. Jesus said: "These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honour Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:8,9).

Before the end of the first century there had arisen a sect called the Nicolaitans. Christ commended the church at Ephesus because they hated this perversion of the faith: "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate" (Revelation 2:6).

The church at Pergamos was reprimanded because of Nicolaitans in their midst: "Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth" (Revelation 2:15).

Jesus hated false doctrine; so did Paul. "If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:9).

"If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed" (1 Corinthians 16:22).

The writer to the Hebrews says of Christ: "You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions" (Hebrews 1:9).

"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor (detest utterly) what is evil. Cling to what is good" Romans 12:9

J. C. Bailey
-Published in The Old Paths Archive

When you love God, you hate evil (Psalm 97:10). Hating evil is not synonymous hating the perpetrator of that evil. I must preach against sin that God hates because I want the sinner to come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, repent of their sin and trust Christ as their Savior. Pray the Word of God shakes us from our apathy and stirs within us a renewed passion for the Salvation message!

Those who have "lost thier first love" (Rev 2:4) for Jesus Christ, or "those who seek thier own, not the the things that are Jesus Christs" (Phi 2:21) would have us feign passion for Him, with empty platitudes, but we must not! Some would quicker defend their earthly possessions with more zeal. Who among us would allow another to attack His or her home, or spouse or children without drawing on some emotion (hatred for evil)! Does that suggest these are really our 'first loves?'
I will conclude by issuing you the same challenge Paul issued ;

1Co 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

Excellent read thank you very much for sharing this sister. Expose those pathetic devils all the way and laugh, enjoy it together with Christ. We need to protect oursevles with the Word of GOD, prayer, fasting, fellowship with TRUE Christians. We need to study the Word of GOD and feed our spirits His Word daily. The more you drink His Word and Christ's Blood, the more your "full" and satisifed.

Put on the Armour of GOD. One of my favorite passages:

Ephesians 6:10-18

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

"Put on the WHOLE Armour of GOD." AMEN Chad! Glory to God!
We will never be overcomers if we strive to do so with
only the armour of peace! A closer look at that verse you quoted shows its only a piece of the armour. A soldier would look pretty silly going to battle with only his boots on.;)

To a clergyman during the early war period, Lincoln made a significant remark. "let us have faith, Mr President," the minister intoned with great solemnity,"that the Lord is on our side during this great struggle."

To which Lincoln quietly retorted, "I am not at all concerned about that, for I know the Lord is always on the side of the right; but it is my constant anxiety and prayer, that I and this nation may be on the Lord's side."