Study Guide

DECEPTION IN THE HEART

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It is with the greatest love and humility that I write to you a second epistle concerning the disposition of the heart. Upon reading I trust that you will examine yourself accordingly for it is the counsel of our hearts that will testify against us in the judgment. As I have said before, impurity of the heart is a major issue to be considered when one cannot walk in the Spirit. God is calling us to righteousness. It is His intent to have a body of baptized believers who are able to manifest Christ in the earth. I also believe that impurity of the heart is the greatest manifestation of unbelief in the sons of God. Consequently, unbelief magnifies pride and stubbornness.

UNBELIEF: TO REJECT KNOWN AND PROVEN TRUTH

Is it that we do not believe what God has said or what we have seen to be proven truth, or is it that we simply challenge that truth with our dispositions? I have counseled many saints after which I concluded that they just simply do not believe the Word of God. However, those saints who manifest all the evidence of unbelief would argue that they truly do believe the Word of God. Then why do they rebel? Why is it so hard for them to obey? The answer is simple. They walk in pride and stubbornness. To believe is to be fully persuaded. This persuasion goes beyond having a mental knowledge of the will of God.

Belief conquers and destroys all opposition in the soul and establishes truth in our heart and genders a desire to obey God. Many saints become angry when they are told that they simply do not believe because they truly feel that they do believe God. They will tell you quickly, “I believe the Word. I know it is true.” This sincerity is due to the fact that they have given a mental assent to the knowledge of God that they have heard and learned. Nevertheless, the truth is they do not believe beyond their pride or their unwillingness to obey. Therefore, they remain in unbelief. You, too, may be one who confesses belief without obedience. It may be that unbelief is alienating you from God. You have not believed until all pride is destroyed.

Let us look a little closer at the elements of pride and stubbornness. As we can see from the definition below the Scripture uses other adjectives to describe pride. We will go directly to the scriptures illustrating the definitions.

PRIDE

1. alazonia (or-- eia) NT:212 is translated "pride" in 1 John 2:16, BOASTFUL or VAINGLORY.

2. huperephania NT:5243, "pride,"Mark 7:2: HAUGHTY.

3. tuphoo NT:5187, "lifted up”1 Tim 3:6, "puffed up” HIGH-MINDED.

1 John 2:16

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

There have been many teachings on the lust of the flesh and the pride of life in which we have dealt with the obvious manifestation of such. However, let us examine this lust from within the heart. It is a fact that when we do not walk in the Spirit, we walk after the flesh. Therefore, we mind things of the flesh. I remember Jesus saying to the Pharisees, in St.John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.” I also recall Satan as having been referred to as the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). If lust and pride are of the world then they are of Satan. He is the author of the world's lust and pride. Therefore, when we walk after the flesh, what we feel, want and desire is of the devil. We must see that he is the motivation for all that we want while walking after the flesh. We walk after the flesh when our hearts seek after the things the soul wants. If these wants originate with Satan we can be certain they will war against the purpose of God for our life.

Beloved, you must see and understand that sin will work in our members when we forsake the power of the Spirit of God. the carnal mind is competitive, retributive, envious, mean and malicious. Therefore, when we walk after the flesh we become all of the above. It is only circumstances that dictate which of these attributes will be put on display. Nevertheless, they are all at our disposal when we forsake the Spirit and follow the flesh. Follow the Spirit here. Please consider that unforgiveness is to be judgmental. To be judgmental is to walk in pride. The judgmental spirit can also become competitive, mean and malicious depending upon the nature of circumstances, situations and relationships. These manifestations will occur according to the will and purpose of Satan.

Yes, beloved, when we walk after the flesh we are agents of the devil. He can use us at will to stop the flow of love in the Body of Christ and to war against the purpose of God in our life and in the lives of others. In doing so, we dishonor God and discredit the message of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. How is it that one can know this to be fact, yet remain an agent of the Devil? The answer is simple, unbelief. You have not believed to the destruction of pride and stubbornness in your heart.

1 John 2:17-18

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth

for ever.

18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

ANTICHRIST antichristos NT:500 can mean either "against Christ" or "instead of Christ," or perhaps, combining the two, "one who, assuming the guise of Christ, opposes Christ" (Westcott). The word is found only in John's epistles, (a) of the many "antichrists" who are forerunners of the "Antichrist" himself,

1 John 2:18 ,22; 2 John 7; (b) of the evil power which already operates anticipatively of the "Antichrist,"1 John 4:3.

What the apostle says of him so closely resembles what he says of the first beast in Rev 13, and what the apostle Paul says of the Man of Sin in 2 Thess 2, that the same person seems to be in view in all these passages, rather than the second beast in Rev 13, the false prophet; for the latter supports the former in all his Anti-Christian assumptions. Note: The term pseudochristos, "a false Christ," is to be distinguished from the above; it is found in Matt 24:24 and Mark 13:22. The false Christ does not deny the existence of Christ, he trades upon the expectation of His appearance, affirming that he is the Christ. The Antichrist denies the existence of the true God

I have taken the definition above directly from Vines Expository. I have highlighted two elements of the definition, for here is where I want to focus. The spirit of antichrist operates "against Christ'' to the point of denying the existence of Christ, whereas the “false Christ” operates “instead of Christ.” When we walk after the flesh it is possible for us to become "one who, assuming the guise of Christ, opposes Christ." How does all this relate to unforgiveness and judgmentalism? To walk in unforgiveness or judgment of another is to say, "I AM OR MY STANDARDS ARE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. I am the righteousness which is Christ. I am both able to judge and punish those who did not satisfy my standards. Is this the true nature of Christ? Is this the nature of our holy judge? Is He not forgiving, loving and kind, slow to anger and without retribution? Is He not a long-suffering Savior who seeks not His own will but the will of the Father? If the above is true, then the saint who stands in judgment of another is a false Christ or an antichrist. I am sure there are many who would argue this point. However, the Word speaks for itself. It is time for us to judge our own hearts to see whether we are in the faith or whether we oppose Christ.

1 John 2:19

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

According to the scripture above, sooner or later all those who oppose Christ will be revealed. The Scripture declares two cannot walk together except they agree. It is given that the mindsets that oppose the purpose of God will be made known and they will bring about a separation between those who walk in the Spirit and those who do not. This rejecting mindset is often taken to be a small thing. One reason being those who hold such mindsets have remained among us. They have maintained responsibilities in the ministry. They have participated in all of the ministerial events, but they have never purified their hearts or accepted the truth as law for their lives. This is deception of the worst kind. It shall be manifested that they are not of Christ. The Word of God tells us in Philippians 3:15“ . . . and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”

1 John 2:20-23

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

I think it will be good for us to look at what it means to deny Christ. Therefore, I have compiled several Scriptures that speak for themselves on this matter. Consider the following:

DENY (definition 1) "to deny oneself," either in a good sense, by disregarding one's own interests, Luke 9:23, or in a bad sense, to prove false to oneself, to act quite unlike oneself, 2 Tim 2:13;

If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. He abides faithful even if we do not believe. The Lord is not going to be anything less than what He is. Neither is He going to do anything less than what He has already said He would do. He is holy and He has declared that we must be holy. He will not accept anything less than holiness.

DENY (definition 2) to "abrogate, forsake, or renounce a thing," whether evil,Titus 2:12, or good,,,3 Tim 3:5,Rev.2:13(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c) 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Titus 2:11-15,

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

2 Timothy 3:2-5

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

DENY (definition 3)" not to accept, to reject" something offered, Acts 3:14; 7:35, "refused";Heb 11:24"refused." See REFUSE.(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Revelation 2:13-17

13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;

THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE

1 John 2:24-25

24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

Notice here that the Lord informs us through the prophet John that we can only remain in the Son and in the Father if we allow the Word to abide in us. If we abide in the Word of God we will inherit eternal life. If not, we forfeit our salvation. Though this principle has been expressed in Scripture many times before, it is amazing how most Christians do not believe it. Many in the Body of Christ live as if there is no consequence for disobedience. We live as if the Father is a God who accepts our promiscuity and disobedience to His Word. This mindset exists although there are many Scriptures to the contrary.

1 John 2:26-28

26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

Now John goes on to say that those in the Body of Christ have an anointing or an unction that teaches them right from wrong, or the difference between good and evil. Thus he implies we have no excuse for the evil we do or think. The Holy Ghost abiding in us counsels our heart.

HAUGHTY AND HIGH-MINDED

St.Mark 7:20-23

20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Oftentimes members of the Body of Christ tell themselves and others that their hearts are pure when in fact they walk in pride, wickedness and evil thinking. According to the Scriptures above these are manifestations of the contents of the heart.

HAUGHTY: huperephanos NT:5244, "showing oneself above others" (huper, "over," phainomai, "to appear"), though often denoting preeminent, is always used in the NT in the evil sense of "arrogant, disdainful, haughty"; it is rendered "haughty" in Rom 1:30 and2 Tim 3:2, RV, KJV, "proud," but "proud" in both versions in Luke 1:51;James 4:6, and1 Peter 5:5; in the last two it is set in opposition to tapeinos, "humble, lowly." Cf. the noun huperephania,Mark 7:22, "pride".

HIGH-MINDED: tuphoo NT:5187 properly means "to wrap in smoke" (from tuphos, "smoke"; metaphorically, for "conceit"); it is used in the passive voice, metaphorically in1 Tim 3:6, "puffed up," RV (KJV, "lifted up with pride");so 6:4, KJV, "proud," and2 Tim 3:4, KJV, "highminded." See PROUD, PUFF (up). Cf. tuphomai, "to smoke,"Matt 12:20, ¶ and tuphonikos, "tempestuous" (with anemos, "wind," understood),Acts 27:14.

Haughtiness and high-mindedness are often displayed in counsel when one denies or rejects the truth about their spiritual location. People witness our wickedness, pride and a manifestation of our evil thinking during these counseling sessions. People we interact with are able to draw the conclusion that we walk in pride, haughtiness, high-mindedness and that we constantly think evil of others. People entertain our dispositions and our attitudes. Many who are not of the Body and certainly those who are in the Body are not ignorant of that which is Christ and that which is not.

REFERENCE SCRIPTURES:

1 Timothy 3:6

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Romans 1:28-32

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

This is the very point that I want to make. It is true that the saints of God know the judgments of God. We are taught the awesome wrath of the Lord that will befall those who disobey Him. However, we refuse to accept that judgment as individual punishment for our disobedience. Why? Well, the Word of God declares that in sin is deceivableness. It is the deceivableness of sin that causes us to become blind to the punishment that awaits us as disobedient sons. We simply refuse to accept that God the Father will “cast us away,” (reprobate). We have adopted the promiscuous God of our imagination. This causes us not to see God less than holy but rather willing to accept less than holiness from us.

He is a God who will deny Himself of the precious fruits of His own attributes from the Body of Christ. How insane this line of thinking is for the Lord knows the power of His Spirit to overcome the sin of this world. He will not accept failure as the legacy of His redemption plan for all that sin will surely be alienated from God and will surely die. There are those who will live, walk in the Spirit and deny themselves the pleasures of the flesh. They will obey the Word of God and thus glorify the Father. The decision is a personal and individual one. You must decide to destroy your pride and submit to the counsel of the Holy Ghost as He speaks to your heart.

Romans 2:1-9

1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

You would think those who walk in the high-mindedness of judgmentalism would be satisfied in their own disposition, seeing as how they are so critical and contentious concerning the disposition of others. But the truth is, they are not satisfied at all. Their soul encounters much anguish and tribulation, which is a by- product of their pride. They are not happy because they spend much time seeking out justification for their own actions by pointing out the faults or sin in others.

Nevertheless, after having spent so much energy probing in the darkness of others, their very own conscience constantly reminds them of the evil of their own heart. You see, one can say (with their mouth), “My heart is pure.” However, the mere fact that they stand in judgment of others is evidence in itself of the evil that lies within. It is amazing to see how one can be full of pride manifesting itself as judgmentalism and unforgiveness, and still see themselves as better than the people they judge. Satan has also seen that this might become a crack that the prideful heart may crawl through to repentance. Therefore, he encourages another mindset that will protect and fortify their disposition. The mindset sounds something like this: “I know I am not in the place I should be with God, but I sure don’t understand how some people can say that they are so holy and do some of the things they do.”

DECEPTION IN THE HEART

The acknowledging of the truth about ones own disposition is supposed to establish a righteousness that says “at least I am honest about my spiritual location. I do not pretend to be something I am not.” Supposedly this acknowledgment of the truth, gives one the right to judge others. When in essence it merely confirms the Word of God.

Romans 2:1

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

The heart can be deceived into believing that acknowledging sin establishes the righteousness of God when in reality it is the repentance of sin, (the turning away from sin), that establishes righteousness. But the enemy remains at the place of “quickly acknowledging” their wayward disposition so that they can comfortably point the finger at others. To strengthen and maintain their disposition, they hold in their memory the failures of others. They do this, not even considering their victim’s relationship with God. Many times saints have moved on through repentance and submission, but the god of this world and the darkness of the heart will not accept this as fact. One becomes as the Scripture says “blind” to the truth. The heart becomes hardened not allowing the true nature of others to be considered, for to view righteousness in those we have judged would shatter our own disposition.

One must not accept that God is working with and through the victims of our judgment, even if we see Him working. This fact must not be equally addressed because then there would be no satisfactory explanation for such divine presence. Therefore, the fact that God is working with and through those whom we have judged in our hearts must be dismissed and simply given no credible thought. Nevertheless, the fact remains that God is not going to consider the disposition of others when He renders His judgment of us.

Another thing that must be considered is when we acknowledge a negative spiritual location but refuse to move. It is a direct affront to the Holy Ghost. In essence, we are saying to God, “I have decided to do, and be, whatever it is I want to do and be.” This is pride personified. Beloved, do not allow the god of this world to deceive you. God is not mocked, and He will deal to every one a just recompense of reward for our deeds in the flesh.

1 Timothy 6:3-6

3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. I think the above scripture really describes the disposition of the proud, judgmental and unforgiving soul.

THE PROUD KNOWS NOTHING:

It is possible to have knowledge of the scriptures, be able to minister them to others, but never allow oneself to experience the nature of the Word. Thus, one is ignorant of even that which they minister to others.

DOTING QUESTIONS AND STRIFE OF WORDS:

It is characteristic for the soul that walks in pride to seek to dishonor the personage of others as well as discredit the God who dwells in them. I want you to look closely at the definitions for some of the terminology used in the verses above.

DOTING ABOUT QUESTIONS NT: 3554; to be sick, i.e. (by implication of a diseased appetite) to hanker after (figuratively, to harp upon) a searching i.e. a dispute NT: 3054 to be disputatious (on trifles):-strive about words.

Biblesoft Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance

To look for something other than the truth in a matter. To strive with words, disputing known and proven truths. Banks’ Expository

ENVY NT: 5355 ill-will (as detraction), i.e. jealousy (spite): STRIFE NT: 2054 eris (er'-is); of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, i.e. (by implication) wrangling: KJV - contention, debate, strife, variance. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance

RAILINGS NT: 988 blasphemia (blas-fay-me'-ah); from NT:989; vilification (especially against God): KJV - blasphemy, evil speaking, railing. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance

To make blasphemous accusations against the sons of God either verbally or in the heart. Banks’ Expository

EVIL SURMISING NT: 5283; suspicion: To come to an evil conclusion or a conclusion that is either against or denies Christ. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance

It is very strange how the proud will never admit that they are indeed envious and jealous of the ones they judge so harshly. One cannot refute the Word of God. These are indeed the products of pride, judgmentalism and unforgiveness. We all need to examine ourselves thoroughly to see where we stand in relation to these truths. That which is in our hearts is revealed by our interactions with people. We cannot hide behind words and rehearsed disposition. The truth is in our natural and spiritual responses to confrontation with others, within and without the Body. The question is “How can one deliver himself from such a disposition?” The answer is simple. Ninety-nine percent of deliverance is identification. One must first admit to the pride, judgmental nature and unforgiveness. Until we come to a place of complete brokenness regarding these elements of our character, we will never experience walking in the Spirit. This means we will never experience the righteousness, peace and joy in the Kingdom of God.