With Much Cunning and Craftiness

[Sue J Love]

“Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:1-4 NASB1995)

There are people living among us who are not who they claim to be. Outwardly they seem like nice, caring, and friendly people, but there is a hidden side to them which we do not see, because it is not obvious. For they present one thing on the surface, while who they are inside is not known and is not shown until something happens to make it known to us. For many of them are the ungodly who put on a show of righteousness outwardly, but while they are engaged in all sorts of evil in secret where we can’t see.

Seductively, and with much cunning and craftiness, they slowly and carefully introduce lies into our minds and hearts. But they mix them with truth, so it appears outwardly to be truth. And it sounds good and it looks good on the surface, but there is a hidden poison contained within. There is a poisonous spider (not literally) contained within just waiting to catch the unsuspecting in its web of deceit, and with a snake’s (not literally) bite, i.e. with a sting of betrayal and deception which is fully intended to do us harm, and not good.

Their disguise is so convincing, though, that few, if any, suspect them of being plotters of evil who use cunning and craftiness in order to deceive. Many people put their trust and their confidence in them, believing that they are those who speak truth to the people, and so they believe what they are teaching as the gospel of our salvation, too. But these are people who are teaching lies disguised as truth in order to convince the masses that faith in Jesus Christ makes no requirements of them for repentance and obedience.

And many who do teach that we must turn from our sin and that we must now obey God, do not teach this as required of God for salvation, but as just something that we should do, as though it is a recommendation, but not a requirement. And so many people are getting the idea that believing in Jesus just means making a confession of faith in Christ Jesus, but that nothing is required of them beyond that. They are assured of forgiveness of all sin, and they are promised heaven as their eternal destiny, but minus repentance.

And to repent of our sins is not just to verbally confess them and to say that we are sorry. But it means to have a change of heart and mind resulting in a change of behavior. It means putting our past lives of sin behind us to now follow Jesus in obedience to his commands and in surrender to his will and purpose for our lives. It doesn’t mean we will never sin again (1 John 2:1-2) but that sin should no longer be our practice, but now obedience to our Lord and to his commands and righteous living should be what we practice.

So we should not put our trust in other humans to tell us the truth. There are so many fakes and phonies among us. Our trust needs to be fully in God and in the teachings of Christ and of his New Testament apostles. But we need to read the Scriptures in their appropriate context, for many lies are being spread in the name of truth by removing the Scriptures from their context and by twisting them to teach what they do not teach if taught in the correct biblical context. So test everything and everyone!

[Matthew 7:15-23; Matthew 24:11-14; John 10:1-15; Romans 16:17-19; 2 Corinthians 11:3,13-15; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 3:2; 2 Peter 2:1-22; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 1 Timothy 6:3-10; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 1 John 4:1-6; Jude 1:1-25]

For Jesus Christ taught that to come to him we must deny self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin), and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to living in sin and for self, we will lose our lives for eternity. But if we deny self, die daily to sin, by the Spirit, and we walk in obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in his power, then we have eternal life with God. For not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING (obeying) the will of God (see Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23).

For by God-gifted faith in Jesus Christ, which is not of our own doing, we are crucified with Christ in death to sin and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, no longer to live as slaves to sin but as slaves to righteousness in walks of obedience to God’s commands. We are no longer to permit sin to reign in our mortal bodies to make us obey its desires. For if sin is what we obey, it results in death. But if obedience to God is what we obey, it results in sanctification, and its end is eternal life with God (see Romans 6:1-23).

Gospel:[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

As the Deer

By Martin J. Nystrom
Based off Psalm 42:1

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

Caution: This link may contain ads

With Much Cunning and Craftiness
An Original Work / November 10, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

 

[Bill]

“Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:1-4 NASB1995)

There are people living among us who are not who they claim to be. Outwardly they seem like nice, caring, and friendly people, but there is a hidden side to them which we do not see, because it is not obvious. For they present one thing on the surface, while who they are inside is not known and is not shown until something happens to make it known to us. For many of them are the ungodly who put on a show of righteousness outwardly, but while they are engaged in all sorts of evil in secret where we can’t see.

Seductively, and with much cunning and craftiness, they slowly and carefully introduce lies into our minds and hearts. But they mix them with truth, so it appears outwardly to be truth. And it sounds good and it looks good on the surface, but there is a hidden poison contained within. There is a poisonous spider (not literally) contained within just waiting to catch the unsuspecting in its web of deceit, and with a snake’s (not literally) bite, i.e. with a sting of betrayal and deception which is fully intended to do us harm, and not good.

Their disguise is so convincing, though, that few, if any, suspect them of being plotters of evil who use cunning and craftiness in order to deceive. Many people put their trust and their confidence in them, believing that they are those who speak truth to the people, and so they believe what they are teaching as the gospel of our salvation, too. But these are people who are teaching lies disguised as truth in order to convince the masses that faith in Jesus Christ makes no requirements of them for repentance and obedience.

And many who do teach that we must turn from our sin and that we must now obey God, do not teach this as required of God for salvation, but as just something that we should do, as though it is a recommendation, but not a requirement. And so many people are getting the idea that believing in Jesus just means making a confession of faith in Christ Jesus, but that nothing is required of them beyond that. They are assured of forgiveness of all sin, and they are promised heaven as their eternal destiny, but minus repentance.

And to repent of our sins is not just to verbally confess them and to say that we are sorry. But it means to have a change of heart and mind resulting in a change of behavior. It means putting our past lives of sin behind us to now follow Jesus in obedience to his commands and in surrender to his will and purpose for our lives. It doesn’t mean we will never sin again (1 John 2:1-2) but that sin should no longer be our practice, but now obedience to our Lord and to his commands and righteous living should be what we practice.

So we should not put our trust in other humans to tell us the truth. There are so many fakes and phonies among us. Our trust needs to be fully in God and in the teachings of Christ and of his New Testament apostles. But we need to read the Scriptures in their appropriate context, for many lies are being spread in the name of truth by removing the Scriptures from their context and by twisting them to teach what they do not teach if taught in the correct biblical context. So test everything and everyone!

[Matthew 7:15-23; Matthew 24:11-14; John 10:1-15; Romans 16:17-19; 2 Corinthians 11:3,13-15; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 3:2; 2 Peter 2:1-22; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 1 Timothy 6:3-10; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 1 John 4:1-6; Jude 1:1-25]

For Jesus Christ taught that to come to him we must deny self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin), and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to living in sin and for self, we will lose our lives for eternity. But if we deny self, die daily to sin, by the Spirit, and we walk in obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in his power, then we have eternal life with God. For not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING (obeying) the will of God (see Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23).

For by God-gifted faith in Jesus Christ, which is not of our own doing, we are crucified with Christ in death to sin and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, no longer to live as slaves to sin but as slaves to righteousness in walks of obedience to God’s commands. We are no longer to permit sin to reign in our mortal bodies to make us obey its desires. For if sin is what we obey, it results in death. But if obedience to God is what we obey, it results in sanctification, and its end is eternal life with God (see Romans 6:1-23).

Gospel:[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

As the Deer

By Martin J. Nystrom
Based off Psalm 42:1

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

Caution: This link may contain ads

With Much Cunning and Craftiness
An Original Work / November 10, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdom.
Excellent article Sue,

"There are people living among us who are not who they claim to be. Outwardly they seem like nice, caring, and friendly people, but there is a hidden side to them which we do not see, because it is not obvious. For they present one thing on the surface, while who they are inside is not known and is not shown until something happens to make it known to us. For many of them are the ungodly who put on a show of righteousness outwardly, but while they are engaged in all sorts of evil in secret where we can’t see.

Seductively, and with much cunning and craftiness, they slowly and carefully introduce lies into our minds and hearts. But they mix them with truth, so it appears outwardly to be truth. And it sounds good and it looks good on the surface, but there is a hidden poison contained within. There is a poisonous spider (not literally) contained within just waiting to catch the unsuspecting in its web of deceit, and with a snake’s (not literally) bite, i.e. with a sting of betrayal and deception which is fully intended to do us harm, and not good."

It is extremely important for us to have the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and if you have the opportunity to go and receive the blessing to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit do so get it done now. The sooner that you can learn to experience the gifts of the Spirit, the sooner that you learn to work on the discernment understanding what discernment is and how it affects you and how you grow into the gift. Is exceptionally important.

A new person that is new to carpentry cannot do specific tasks like specialized carpentry. A person that's new to making pottery, cannot make intricate pottery on their first attempt. It takes practice and learning and we learn through the Holy Spirit how to use the gifts.

The devil has been very successful with Christians telling them that they don't need to practice the gifts of the holy spirit because God is going to throw you into the situation and you'll know what to do when you get there.

There are always a few that God allows perfect knowledge when it comes to these things. But the vast majority of us have to learn the hard way. For some people it takes them years to understand the simplest Sensations of the movement of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture tells us that we are honed with fire, that God works with us to grow in knowledge and understanding and wisdom. And this is true when it comes to the gifts of the Spirit.

There will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but that it has yet to come and it's not going to be here like tomorrow. Although it's pretty close but you're better off getting the Holy Spirit now and not later.

Do not be deceived with those that sit there and tell you when you get baptized in the water that you get baptized with the spirit. That's false. John the Baptist even tells us that I baptize you with water, but there's one coming after me that's going to baptize you with power and fire. They are two separate baptisms.

For those of you that have discernment now keep working on it. If you want to understand the of the gifts of discernment. If you write a letter to someone else and they get it in the mail across the country, you will know when that person reads that letter. You will know the reaction that that person has when they read the letter. These are just examples of the gift of discernment.

Going back to what Sue was talking about. We need discernment you need it now because everything's coming and it's coming soon I'm not talking about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit I'm talking about all the crap that's coming it's coming soon and it's starting already.

We are walking in Revelations right now. But you do not believe it because you believe false teachings that have been taught for 50 years at least. False teachings that try to tell you things like what the breaking of the first seal is. Many of you believe that it is talking about the Antichrist. But it isn't and if you have the gift of discernment and you have a good strong gift to discernment you would know that.

So let me clue you in on when the first seal broke. It was the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel back in 1976 that was the breaking of the first seal.

The Conqueror that went out to conquer things, it wasn't talking about war that he was conquering he was conquering division. And that is still going on today. Because in the scripture it never falls through that the Conqueror actually completed his task.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Dear Sister Sue, @Sue J Love
Well said, though I'm sure as needed, it does pain one to know that there is purposeful deception that goes on between professing brethren. ;(
The deception can be so deep, and ingrained in that one, that they have deceived themselves in to believing it themselves. As is said, no greater lie, than the one that is spoken that is believed by the speaker themselves.

Brother Bill, added well to the need of discernment, by way of the Holy Spirit that gives of the fruits of the spirit to benefit the entirety of the Body of Christ, and not for self-aggrandizement as you have shown, but to the lifting up of the Church which is Christ Jesus, to the Glory of God!!!

It does tare at the strings of the heart, that the Word of God can be so corrupted that what has been clearly evidenced through history of the church, is seen as being untruthful according to scripture, and so a lie! Never easy to accept when even cultural considerations that speak to being a part of the telling of the Word of God, as evidence of its truth, is ignored for not agreeing with their scriptural eisegesis.

I know you won't lose faith sister, for you are a strong warrior, which brings to mind a childhood song I used to sing which I share with you now. God bless you, and stay strong, for you are not alone.

Onward Christian Soldiers

1. Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See His banner go!
(Refrain)

2. At the sign of triumph
Satan's host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise!
(Refrain)

3. Like a mighty army
Moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod.
We are not divided;
All one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.
(Refrain)

4. Onward then, ye people,
Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and honor
Unto Christ the King;
This thro' countless ages
Men and angels sing.
(Refrain)

Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!

 

[Sue J Love]

Dear Sister Sue, @Sue J Love
Well said, though I'm sure as needed, it does pain one to know that there is purposeful deception that goes on between professing brethren. ;(
The deception can be so deep, and ingrained in that one, that they have deceived themselves in to believing it themselves. As is said, no greater lie, than the one that is spoken that is believed by the speaker themselves.

Brother Bill, added well to the need of discernment, by way of the Holy Spirit that gives of the fruits of the spirit to benefit the entirety of the Body of Christ, and not for self-aggrandizement as you have shown, but to the lifting up of the Church which is Christ Jesus, to the Glory of God!!!

It does tare at the strings of the heart, that the Word of God can be so corrupted that what has been clearly evidenced through history of the church, is seen as being untruthful according to scripture, and so a lie! Never easy to accept when even cultural considerations that speak to being a part of the telling of the Word of God, as evidence of its truth, is ignored for not agreeing with their scriptural eisegesis.

I know you won't lose faith sister, for you are a strong warrior, which brings to mind a childhood song I used to sing which I share with you now. God bless you, and stay strong, for you are not alone.

Onward Christian Soldiers

1. Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See His banner go!
(Refrain)

2. At the sign of triumph
Satan's host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise!
(Refrain)

3. Like a mighty army
Moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod.
We are not divided;
All one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.
(Refrain)

4. Onward then, ye people,
Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and honor
Unto Christ the King;
This thro' countless ages
Men and angels sing.
(Refrain)

Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!

Christ4Ever, Thank you so much for those kind, thoughtful, and encouraging words. They brought tears to my eyes. And I love that old hymn. I used to sing it much in the old days. So perfect! I needed to hear that today. I am going through some serious health issues right now and I do not know what the future holds for me, but I do know that I am in the hands of God, and that he is taking me where he wants me to go, and that he has a plan and a purpose for it all. So your response here was definitely from God just when I needed to hear those words. God bless you!

 

[Sue J Love]

May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdom.
Excellent article Sue,

"There are people living among us who are not who they claim to be. Outwardly they seem like nice, caring, and friendly people, but there is a hidden side to them which we do not see, because it is not obvious. For they present one thing on the surface, while who they are inside is not known and is not shown until something happens to make it known to us. For many of them are the ungodly who put on a show of righteousness outwardly, but while they are engaged in all sorts of evil in secret where we can’t see.

Seductively, and with much cunning and craftiness, they slowly and carefully introduce lies into our minds and hearts. But they mix them with truth, so it appears outwardly to be truth. And it sounds good and it looks good on the surface, but there is a hidden poison contained within. There is a poisonous spider (not literally) contained within just waiting to catch the unsuspecting in its web of deceit, and with a snake’s (not literally) bite, i.e. with a sting of betrayal and deception which is fully intended to do us harm, and not good."

It is extremely important for us to have the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and if you have the opportunity to go and receive the blessing to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit do so get it done now. The sooner that you can learn to experience the gifts of the Spirit, the sooner that you learn to work on the discernment understanding what discernment is and how it affects you and how you grow into the gift. Is exceptionally important.

A new person that is new to carpentry cannot do specific tasks like specialized carpentry. A person that's new to making pottery, cannot make intricate pottery on their first attempt. It takes practice and learning and we learn through the Holy Spirit how to use the gifts.

The devil has been very successful with Christians telling them that they don't need to practice the gifts of the holy spirit because God is going to throw you into the situation and you'll know what to do when you get there.

There are always a few that God allows perfect knowledge when it comes to these things. But the vast majority of us have to learn the hard way. For some people it takes them years to understand the simplest Sensations of the movement of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture tells us that we are honed with fire, that God works with us to grow in knowledge and understanding and wisdom. And this is true when it comes to the gifts of the Spirit.

There will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but that it has yet to come and it's not going to be here like tomorrow. Although it's pretty close but you're better off getting the Holy Spirit now and not later.

Do not be deceived with those that sit there and tell you when you get baptized in the water that you get baptized with the spirit. That's false. John the Baptist even tells us that I baptize you with water, but there's one coming after me that's going to baptize you with power and fire. They are two separate baptisms.

For those of you that have discernment now keep working on it. If you want to understand the of the gifts of discernment. If you write a letter to someone else and they get it in the mail across the country, you will know when that person reads that letter. You will know the reaction that that person has when they read the letter. These are just examples of the gift of discernment.

Going back to what Sue was talking about. We need discernment you need it now because everything's coming and it's coming soon I'm not talking about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit I'm talking about all the crap that's coming it's coming soon and it's starting already.

We are walking in Revelations right now. But you do not believe it because you believe false teachings that have been taught for 50 years at least. False teachings that try to tell you things like what the breaking of the first seal is. Many of you believe that it is talking about the Antichrist. But it isn't and if you have the gift of discernment and you have a good strong gift to discernment you would know that.

So let me clue you in on when the first seal broke. It was the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel back in 1976 that was the breaking of the first seal.

The Conqueror that went out to conquer things, it wasn't talking about war that he was conquering he was conquering division. And that is still going on today. Because in the scripture it never falls through that the Conqueror actually completed his task.

Bill, thank you for your kind and thoughtful response. Yes, we need to be filled with the Spirit and we need to be operating in the gifts of the Spirit given us by God and never in our own flesh. We need to be led by the Spirit in the things God has called us to do and to be and to say, for his glory, and for his purposes, and for the salvation of human lives. And, yes, we live in very troubled times right now. All of us need to be seeking God's face daily for wisdom and discernment to understand the times in which we live and what he has for us to do in these times. Sue

 

[Christ4Ever]

Christ4Ever, Thank you so much for those kind, thoughtful, and encouraging words. They brought tears to my eyes. And I love that old hymn. I used to sing it much in the old days. So perfect! I needed to hear that today. I am going through some serious health issues right now and I do not know what the future holds for me, but I do know that I am in the hands of God, and that he is taking me where he wants me to go, and that he has a plan and a purpose for it all. So your response here was definitely from God just when I needed to hear those words. God bless you!

Dear sister.
If the words I communicated in my post have touched you, I give God all the Glory!
I know you want to be with the Lord, but we need more warriors like you! Plus, I'm sure your hubby isn't ready to let you go!

I count you a blessing and pray for His keeping, covering, and healing of you in the name of Jesus for in His name He will see you through all obstacles you are faced with and in Jesus, I pray He moves and acts upon not just my request, but all who are in prayer for you as well! Amen!

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[Sue J Love]

Dear sister.
If the words I communicated in my post have touched you, I give God all the Glory!
I know you want to be with the Lord, but we need more warriors like you! Plus, I'm sure your hubby isn't ready to let you go!

I count you a blessing and pray for His keeping, covering, and healing of you in the name of Jesus for in His name He will see you through all obstacles you are faced with and in Jesus, I pray He moves and acts upon not just my request, but all who are in prayer for you as well! Amen!

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/
<><

Brother Nick, God has blessed and encouraged me today through your words to me, all glory to God. Thank you, Jesus!! In Christian love, Sue