God bless you and greetings in the name of Jesus Christ whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:28).
We have spent a lot of time on II Corinthians 4:1-4, because they contain important keys to understanding the lay of the spiritual land. We follow Paul’s example and never handle the Word of God deceitfully. When we recognize whom we wrestle against, we can bring things into proper focus.
Ephesians 6:12:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The battle is not against people. It’s against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places fomented and controlled by the wicked one. However, men champion his causes, knowing or unknowingly. We are living in the last days where seducing spirits and doctrines of devils run amuck (I Timothy 4:1).
Ephesians 4:14-15:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
It is men who lie in wait to deceive; we just keep speaking the truth in love. Let’s go back to II Corinthians, and we will see how we do that.
II Corinthians 4:5-7:
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Life demands that we grow up and take a stand for God.
Ephesians 4:14:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
God wants us to grow up and not be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. We do not need to try every new thing that comes our way. When somebody tells me, “How do you know until you try it? Just try it!” I step back. That is another red flag or red light for me. That is what drug pushers do. “Try it you’ll like it. First one is free.”
I do not believe anything I read on the internet. I am sorry. Unless it is on our website or the website of somebody else I know, I do not believe it. Wikipedia is an unreliable reference. College students know that if you quote from Wikipedia, your citation is worthless. Wikipedia is an “encyclopedia” that enables editing by anyone who wants to express an opinion. So, people have reinvented history to suit themselves. Make your own history, make your own future. Say anything you want.
Ephesians 4:14:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
It is men who do that, folks. It is men who are cunningly crafty. It is men who lie in wait to deceive. Some have good hearts. I do not think that they are all possessed. Ultimately, we know it is the devil, but it is just men promoting their own agendas. They are trying to sell you their water softener, or their bread maker, or their book or whatever. That is just life. That is the way life is. But we have to be alert and the thing that will secure us is our love for the truth.