“For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” 2 Corinthians 11:4.  The Apostle Paul was jealous of the church’s affection, or lack of,  for Jesus Christ.  The church of Corinth had committed spiritual adultery by  tolerating false teachers.  Many false doctrines today teach the person to ignore sin which is in direct conflict with the Word of God.  “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10.  By not confessing our sin, we are living in unforgiveness of our sins.  We are in fact living under the law while at the same time being  taught  by false doctrine we are living under grace.  The enemy doesn’t wear a red cape and horns.  Many times he comes dressed in a suit carrying a Bible. 

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,” Titus 2:11-12.  If we are not being led by the Spirit into holiness, we are being led by a false Jesus into hell.    I know that sounds horrible but sadly it’s true.  Again, the enemy doesn’t wear a red cape and horns.  Deceit deceives the deceived.  Our faith in Christ and Him crucified is, His finished work and not ours, guides us into His righteousness and not our righteousness.  Humility in His Cross doesn’t produce resentment of our “cross” but victory  in our “cross”.  Because of His Cross, we now have dominion over our sin nature.  Sin no longer controls us. 

The problem with many teachings today is it points one to self for sanctification while quoting scripture.  It dilutes the Gospel just enough for one not to realize.  We begin trying to figure out how “we” can live for God without consulting God.  It leaves no room for trust in God.  Our self preservation and will is the basis of our faith.  We are called to fight the good fight of faith…faith in Christ in Him crucified, not faith that “we can do it”.  THAT’S where we go daily, appropriate our faith back to His Cross and not our works.  By “His Cross” I do not mean the wooden beam, I mean Jesus’ finished work.  It seems we have gone from legalism, skipped right over Jesus’ work  and moved straight to His grace.  We aren’t seeking Jesus’ for what He has done for us but for what He will do for us.

The enemy knows when we place our faith on Jesus’ work, we will develop a personal relationship with our Lord.  We will understand His victory and the devil’s defeat.  Our faith in Jesus and Him Crucified is not broken but can be easily misplaced by false teachings.  Our faith is the enemy’s bullseye.  Ask God to reveal deception to you.  The Lord is faithful and does not want you to be led astray.  We must stay in His Word to discern the truth, not other’s words.  God has given us teachers and preachers and the enemy has raised up counterfeits.  Test the spirits against the Word of God.  “ If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ” 1 John 1:6.

Don’t stumble over the Cross of Christ to get to God.  Stop there, stay there and fellowship with Jesus.  It is His Blood that cleanses us, His grace that saved us and it is His grace that will see us through.  – Donna Warren