Do Not Be Deceived

Be not deceived: evil communications 

corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, 

and sin not; for some have not the knowledge

 of God: I speak this to your shame.

1Corinthians 15:33-34 

     The King James Version, one that I really do like, does not always give to us good understanding due to the use of words that were understood by those living at the time of writing of this Bible but we do not use those words: so I must take time to enlighten us American English speaking people. The New King James clarifies those hard to understand Old English words: 33. "Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits" The Greek word for evil company states: bad associations and those bad associations spoil good habits. Therefore, we must be cautious in our associations with those who are not Christian, or even those who are cultural Christians, Liberal Christians, or Nominal Christians. Why? We are to awake to righteousness and not sin, and this is almost impossible if our associations are corrupt, contrary to Scripture. I am not just speaking about corrupt people, no, movies, entertainment, Television shows depicting sinful things: i.e., abortion, homosexuality, etc., so we must guard our faith and avoid bad associations. 

     Cultural, or nominal, liberal Christian faith can be traced back to radical misunderstanding or lack of understanding about the distinctive doctrines of the faith, they profess, and the Orthodox faith the Church has held from its beginning. Cultural Christians have a problem with Christian theology and have faulty understanding of Christian theology. Cultural Christians will not, often, take time to examine their faith, their doctrines, and furthermore, will not attempt to know the doctrines of the Christian faith from times past. It seems as though they have their heads in the sand. Cultural Christians are happy in the place they are in their worship and understanding of God and have this old saying: "We never done it this way before," or, "don't bother me, I have all that I need." 

     The lack of examination of their faith, and of Christian faith in general, even though they state that they are considerate of Christ and what He had done on the cross, allows them to just drift along with the culture that has invaded their beliefs and worship. At time, these cultural Christians have a "wake-up" call about faith and they begin to look for answers, they look for meaning for their lives, a stable foundation. Often in their search they become aware that they have offended God by the way they have lived, worshiped and they begin to seek out the course towards personal reformation. This seeking is good, but also problematic as they do not have the information and understanding they need to make a change. These cultural Christians attempt to fix things and unfortunately, by means that never work. As Shakespear wrote: "They do but skim and film the ulcerous place, While rank corruption, mining all within, Infects unseen" (William Shakespear, Hamlet, act 3, scene 4, line 93).

     Authentic Christians: WAKE UP! Now is the time to be prepared to give a defense for your faith (1Peter 3:15). Gear up! People need the truth, and they need someone to lead them to the truth. Evangelize! Speak up! If you are not preparing to be a witness for Jesus Christ: What are you preparing for? Oh! Are you one that believes that the elect will be saved, no matter what, so why go and evangelize? Really? Is this your attitude? Why did Jesus command us to go and make disciple? Oh! You believe that is the job of the preacher, the pastor, the elders, the deacons, but not for you? The command of Jesus is for all Christians and as an Authentic Christian you make this command at heart. Read your Bible, pray, examine what is being taught to you by sermons, take notes, and at Bible studies, take notes, examine, do not be misled and do not, even though they confess Christianity, by bad associations, wolves in sheep clothing. Will it cost you something? Yes! So what? We as Authentic Christians know that this cost is small compared to the loss those who follow after cunning and deceptive people. Jesus paid the ultimate cost, just for you. Are you willing to give back to this world the Gospel? You are not paying your debt of sin, that was done by Jesus on the cross, rather your love for Him drives you to serve Him. Now is the time!

Have not I written to thee excellent things

   in counsels and knowledge, that I might

make thee know the certainty of the words

   of truth; that thou mightest answer the 

words of truth to them that send unto thee?

                      Proverbs 22:20-21

Serve Him: He has sent you to others

Richard L. Crumb