ARE YOU BEING DECEIVED

I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. 2 Corinthians 11:1-4
Paul knew about the deceivers of his time and those that would come. They were a thorn in his side. In this day and age we are fighting the devilish insertion of demonic and worldly behaviors taking the place of the truth in places of Christian worship. These places would preach another Jesus, an unholy spirit is poured out and a gospel that is perverted to fit the worldly society.

 How does the Jesus in the bible measure to the one presented in your local church?
Scriptural Jesus
Jesus is the Word who was made flesh so that He could return the world back to the teachings of God without the perversions of man. Therefore, Jesus kept the Commandments but made them easier to understand. He kept the feasts, performed miracles, and threw the money changers out of the Temple. Jesus required repentance of sins and not living in them anymore. He also taught the difference between living for the world and living for God. Most of all, Jesus was the final atoning sacrifice for the remission of sins available to those who believe, have faith, and follow Him. We are required to try to live a Christ like life not our own.
The New Alternate Jesus
The Jesus taught in some churches today is one of “pure love”, does not ask followers to take up their cross, die to their sins daily, nor are they to follow the commandments. This Jesus is a feel good savior who is okay with your lifestyle and sinful behaviors. This Jesus wants you to live in your flesh and do not concern yourself with spiritual matters. This one says that He died on the Cross so that all can live and get to heaven without the law and regulations meaning the Old Testament no longer applies. These are the ones who say they believe but cannot “Be” in the True Christ because they are following a false messiah.
The Holy Spirit versus the False Spirit
 New Age spirituality gives people exciting feelings but does not give them power to be holy. The Holy Spirit is not an energy force as described by New Age philosophy but a part of God which guides us to do the right thing and conveys messages to God when we just cannot say the words in prayer. The Holy Spirit is the helper that Jesus promised. The false spirit is an energy force that is controlled by the person to perform such things as astral projection and uses crystals or other items as conduits. The Holy Spirit does not need material things to speak to us and for us as it dwells in the hearts of all true believers. The Holy Spirit only dwells in those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and follow His teachings. The energy force is all encompassing without division (even to include God) and all are part of it.  Christians are dependent on the Holy Spirit while the false spirit allows for channeling other spirits and talking with the deceased (demons in disguise).  
A Different Gospel
The final deception in this discussion is the false gospels that have found their way into the mainstream and have corrupted many pastors. In the middle of the 20th century Christians dealt with liberal, feminist, and other theologies that slowly evolved into false gospel teachings. The main culprit of these false ideas come from misinterpretation and changes in society. This is not the first time Christians had to deal with the injection of society. The Holy Roman Empire blended pagan and other non-biblical ceremonies and holidays to convert people into Christianity. The latest fad of the last 50 or so years is to pick and choose what you choose to believe and if it does not fit your lifestyle, change it.  
Examples are:
1.       The prosperity gospel which makes the pastors rich in materialism but poor in spirit
2.       The idea that the Ten Commandments no longer apply
3.       The genderless Bible.
4.       The Jesus paid it all so I can still live my sinful life because I need not repent gospel
5.       The idea of living best life now independent from God
6.       The idea that we are all gods
 
The above teachings are not found in Scripture but perversions of Scripture to fit their needs and desires. The one common denominator is these false teachings is greed. The greed of materialism and riches is the driving force for many while the other is the greed of numbers and popularity. There is also a fear of ridicule. Did Jesus not say that we will suffer for the faith? We sacrifice many things for God to include family. Society has driven many pastors to turn away from the lessons they learned in their youth.
 
Brothers and Sisters, do not let yourselves be deceived nor forced into thinking and believing things that are not of God. Practice discernment when looking into churches and if the teachings in your current church turn away from what you know as truth, time to seek out the truth. Love one another with a God fearing love. Treat others as you would have them treat you. Do not judge or condemn but correct with the kindness and sternness that Jesus showed the Pharisees. Do not follow another into their sin. Be strong in the Word and in your Faith. I say these things out of love for all.
 
Blessings,
 
Rob, Servant of God