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Avenues of Deceit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Jerry Fite
Deceit involves acts of representing as true what is false. Since all deceit is based upon lies, it is a tool used by Satan, the \u201cfather of lies\u201d (John 8:44). Let us notice some avenues through which deceit approaches us at the bidding of Satan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Avenue of Appearance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Paul warns us of false apostles who fashion themselves into apostles of Christ and ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).<\/em> In realty they are \u201cdeceitful workers\u201d<\/em> whose end shall be \u201caccording to their works.\u201d<\/em> Satan allows us to rely on our own prideful thinking to deceive ourselves. Paul warns, \u201cLet no man deceive himself. If any man thinketh he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise\u201d (I Corinthians 3:18).<\/em> Some deceive themselves by thinking they can sow to the flesh and not suffer corruption. \u201cBe not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption…\u201d (Galatians 6:7-8).<\/em> We may pride ourselves as being religious, but we do not control our tongue. \u201cIf any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man\u2019s religion is vain” (James 1:26).\u00a0<\/em> False teachers use this method to deceive the innocent. They speak \u201c…great swelling words, showing respect of persons for the sake of advantage\u201d (Jude 16). <\/em>They may brag on you as they murmur and complain about those who are truly living according to God\u2019s standard. If the hearer is not on guard, he will be caught up in the false teacher\u2019s \u201csmooth and fair speech\u201d <\/em>as he beguiles the hearts of the innocent (Romans 16:18).<\/em> Facts can be twisted in the midst of emotionally charged words which can lead us astray. Assyria\u2019s spokesman brought fear to the hearts of Judah, but he twisted the facts about God. He presented facts such as \u201cthe gods not delivering Samaria,\u201d<\/em> but the fact which he ignored was Jehovah is not \u201ca god,\u201d but the only God (cf. 2 Kings 18:28-35, 19:7, 35-37). <\/em>We must always look at the truth behind any propaganda.\u00a0\u00a0 R.J. Evans 1) Hear\u00a0<\/strong>the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). Tebeau Street “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).——————– Contents: 1) Avenues of Deceit (Jerry Fite)2) Three Requirements When We Pray (From the Book of James) (R.J. Evans) ——————– -1- […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3414"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3414\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3420,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3414\/revisions\/3420"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
They may approach us with a piety that may be expressed in how much they deprive themselves of bodily comforts. They may be severe to the body, but inwardly they are corrupt. Paul warns us that such actions have a \u201cshow of wisdom in will-worship and humility, and severity to the body, but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh\u201d (Colossians 2:23).<\/em> In reality, they are fleshly minded though they look like pious humble servants being severe to the body.\u00a0
Jesus helps us to not be fooled by false appearances. He warns us that false prophets will appear as harmless as sheep. We must constantly look beyond appearances and examine the character of their works (Matthew 7:15-20).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nAvenue of Rationalization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
We must never elevate our \u201cthink-so\u2019s\u201d above what God actually reveals on any subject.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nAvenue of Flattery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
One can arm himself from this approach of deceit by comparing the teacher\u2019s teaching with the doctrine of Christ which can be learned (Romans 16:17, 2 John 9-11).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nAvenue of Propaganda<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
— Via Glad Tidings,<\/em> Volume XXXV, No. 21, May 25, 2025
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-2-<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThree Requirements When We Pray<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
(From the Book of James)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Throughout the Bible, so much is said about prayer. There are numerous examples of men and women who prayed, as well as a number of recorded prayers in Scripture.\u00a0 We are given assurances of the benefits and blessings of the prayers of God’s people.\u00a0 Our Lord taught us how we ought to pray and how we ought not pray. Prayer is truly a wonderful privilege, as well as a command, for all Christians.
In the New Testament, we find that James makes sure that we understand the effectiveness of prayer, and also helps us to realize what God requires when we pray. In fact, James tells us three things about prayer in his inspired epistle. Let’s notice them:
1. He requires FAITH. \u201cIf any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting; for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord\u201d (Jas. 1:5-7). Faith is necessary in obeying and serving God. Without it, it is impossible to please Him (Heb. 11:6).\u00a0 There were times when the disciples of Jesus asked Him to increase their faith. Our faith is based upon and rooted in the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).\u00a0 Thus, an unwavering faith in God who has promised to hear and answer our prayers according to His wisdom and will is what we need when we pray.\u00a0 God takes delight in answering His children\u2019s prayers, yet He may hold back. Why? Because of our lack of faith. Remember the time when Jesus was in His home town of Nazareth, but \u201cHe did not do mighty works there because of their unbelief\u201d (Matt. 13:58). Let us pray fervently to God, the One who loves us, provides salvation for us, and promises so many blessings for us. Thus, don’t give up\u2014pray in faith and His answer will come\u2014it will be yes or no, or perhaps wait till later.
2. He requires RIGHTEOUSNESS. \u201cThe effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much\u201d (Jas. 5:16). When we pray, God looks at our hearts and our lives. In view of the verse just cited, He looks for righteousness. Who are the righteous? Those who have obeyed His gospel and live faithfully according to His will (Rom. 1:16-17; 4:20-22; 6:16-19). When the Apostle Peter was at the house of Cornelius, he stated: \u201cIn truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him\u201d (Acts 10:34-35). Earlier in James’ letter, Abraham is used as an example of faithful obedient righteousness (2:17-26). The Psalmist said, “For all Your commandments are righteousness” (Psa. 119:172). So in order to be righteous, we must obey the commandments of God. And, again, notice how righteousness and prayers that are heard and answered are linked together: \u201cFor the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers\u201d (1 Pet. 3:12). Thus, it is the fervent prayers of the righteous that avail (accomplish) much.
3. He requires THE RIGHT KIND OF REQUEST. \u201cYou ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures\u201d (Jas. 4:3). When we pray, God looks at our requests and our motives for making the request. The Apostle John stated, \u201cthis is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us\u201d (1 Jn. 5:14). Thus, if our prayers are not in line with His Word, or are selfish, self-centered requests, they will not be granted.
Indeed, it is a privilege and blessing to approach God in prayer, especially in view of what James tells us concerning what He desires when we pray. We close with these encouraging words: \u201cBe anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplications, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God\u201d (Phil. 4:6).
— via the online version of the bulletin for the Southside church of Christ, October 13, 2019
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0
2) Believe<\/strong>\u00a0in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent\u00a0<\/strong>of sins.\u00a0 For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).\u00a0 For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).
4) Confess faith\u00a0<\/strong>in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized<\/strong>\u00a0in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).\u00a0 This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).\u00a0 For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so \u201cthrough faith in the working of God\u201d (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to\u2026
6) Continue in the faith <\/strong>by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA\u00a0 31501
Sunday:<\/strong> 9 a.m<\/strong>. Bible Classes (except for last of the month Song Service)
and 10 a.m. <\/strong>Worship Service
Wednesday:<\/strong> 7 p.m.<\/strong> Bible Classes\u00a0
\u00a0
evangelist\/editor: <\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com<\/a>
https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm<\/a> (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"