Avoid being a victim of deception (part two)
1. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher
The second thing one needs to know, understand and believe is that in our new dispensation the Holy Spirit is our Teacher and so the logical question is; what is the role of evangelist, ministers, pastors and teachers in the Church? The answer to this question is stated as follows;” And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4: 11-13).
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? (1Corinthians 12:28-30)
The answer to these questions is an affirmative no, so the role of the ministry therefore is to reach out to others with the gospel administering whatever gift the individual has been endowed with for; “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!" Their responsibility is to, "Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Romans 10:14-15; Isaiah 58:1).
Their role is that of a watchman who, when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life.’
“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.' "So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me” (Ezekiel 33:3-7).
And so, a way by which one can avoid being or becoming a victim of deception is simply by knowing, believing and practicing the truth. Like Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8: 16-17).
But what is the truth that we need to know, believe and practice in order to help us avoid being, or becoming victims of deception?
To be continued
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With brotherly love
Lucius Joseph
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