“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 (NIV)
Satan is a copier. He takes what God has created and twists it, perverts it and uses it for his evil purposes. Just as God has appointed some to be apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, teachers (Ephesians 4:11) and forerunners for the bride, Satan is raising up his own version of them. Jesus warned of a day when we, the church, would need to be especially alert to deception. A day when we would need to walk in discernment more than ever! We live in that day! Jesus said people would come in His name and deceive perhaps even the elect, if it was possible (Matthew 24:4,11&24). Though there are false teachers, prophets and apostles who are ferocious wolves with an agenda to devour true sheep, there are also false leaders who are deceived and are leading many in the church astray. The problem with deception is those deceived don’t know they’re deceived! They have good hearts but are teaching wrong things (or omitting other important things). And just as there are forerunners preparing the way for Christ’s return, there are forerunners who are preparing for the man of lawlessness (the anti-Christ). These agents of the enemy are empowered by demons and are deceiving many!
Pray that God would show you any place you are deceived (I encourage you to pray this every day!). Ask God to identify and expose these agents and operatives of the devil, both the demons and people masquerading as ‘angels of light.’ Pray that He would expose false teachers, prophets and apostles within His church. Cry out for Him to expose wolves in sheep clothes whose agenda is to kill steal and destroy (John 10:10). And pray that He’d expose evil forerunners who are being raised up to prepare the way for the man of lawlessness. And ask God to release a grace for discernment in His church, starting with you!
