Relating to GodWARNINGS SHEPHERDS THE DECEIT OF SOCIAL BELONGING ********************************************************** WARNINGS KJV 2 Tim. 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. KJV Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. NIV 2 Tim. 3:13 ... impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. KJV II Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. KJV Rev. 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Also Matthew 13:31-32, Hebrews 10:25, Acts 2:44-45, Acts 4:32, Acts 4:34, Acts 20:29-34, Luke 15:28-31, James 4:1-3, Ezekial 34:2-10, Mathew 5:13, Luke 12:1, I Timothy 4:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 ) ********************************************************** SHEPHERDS KJV 2 Peter 2:3 ... they ... make merchandise of you ... KJV I Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a steady mind; KJV Mark 6:8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: KJV Acts 18:3 ... for by their occupation they were tentmakers. KJV Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. KJV Mathew 13:22 - ... the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word ... NIV Proverbs 20:5 - The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. (Also I Corinthians 9:15, I Timothy 5:18, Deuteronomy 25:4, Mathew 10:9, I Corinthians 9:9-13) COMMENTARY: Corruption of the Christian Church During the Last Days
It is impossible for a pastor who makes a living from the coffers of the church to not be influenced by money and power. The examples in the Bible demonstrates that a pastor should only take money temporarily at the start of missionary work until a method of self support can be established.
********************************************************** THE DECEIT OF SOCIAL BELONGING KJV John 12:43 ... for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. COMMENTARY:
This is one of the most difficult human drives to learn to balance; the healthy need for social belonging. Historically, as cultures go off the deep end, most people follow the society as a whole over the cliff, because this need for belonging is so great. Unfortunately, it often takes the trauma of an "on the road to Damascus" experience to unplug someone from the matrix.
Relating to God