Deception in the church

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

JTB

Well-known member
Aug 31, 2021
2,078
637
113
#81
Large enough number to elect Joe Biden as President.
No, Joe Biden was not elected by the remnant of the center. That was the left all the way.
 
Jun 5, 2020
941
169
43
#83
Oh - is that all it takes to steal an election...?
Yes. All it takes is for the majority of voters to cast their votes in favor of a particular candidate, and Congress to confirm the votes. No gang of violent thugs or crooked lawyers can change that.
 
Jun 5, 2020
941
169
43
#84
No, Joe Biden was not elected by the remnant of the center. That was the left all the way.
Nobody has to declare their politics to be able to vote in general elections.
 

GaryA

Truth, Honesty, Love, Courage
Aug 10, 2019
9,125
3,974
113
mywebsite.us
#86
Yes. All it takes is for the majority of voters to cast their votes in favor of a particular candidate, and Congress to confirm the votes. No gang of violent thugs or crooked lawyers can change that.
What rock have you been living under...?

I believe you are a bit "out of the loop" where the reality of modern politics is considered.
 
Jun 5, 2020
941
169
43
#88
What rock have you been living under...?

I believe you are a bit "out of the loop" where the reality of modern politics is considered.
Thank you for your uninformed opinion. Your insults and unChristian attitude have gained you "ignore" status.

"Truth, honesty, love, courage"? LOL!!! That is clearly self-deception.
 

JTB

Well-known member
Aug 31, 2021
2,078
637
113
#89
You're actually comparing Donald Trump to Jesus Christ? The first is the ultimate sinner, the second never sinned.
That's not MY comparison. I only posted it to show that's what OTHERS are doing.
 

GaryA

Truth, Honesty, Love, Courage
Aug 10, 2019
9,125
3,974
113
mywebsite.us
#90
"Truth, honesty, love, courage"? LOL!!! That is clearly self-deception.
Truth is the foundation; honesty is the requirement; love is the conveyance; courage is the activation.

Having the courage to love others enough to be honest with them and tell the truth...

No self-deception.
 

Fillan

Well-known member
Oct 25, 2022
364
366
63
45
#91
Has anyone noticed the increase in deception these days? I know that the Bible talks about how many false prophets will arise in the end times and how satan deceives the word through his sorceries (pharmakeia) but have you noticed a very sharp spike in deception (especially in churches) in the last couple of years?
Yes I agree. A sign of the times. Just like the Bereans in Acts 17:11 I think these are the days we need to line everything up against the word of God. And if we can find a good bible believing church to support it, because it can be harder to take a stand alone. A retired pastor I know who worked in a bank once said that the best way to spot counterfeit notes is to study a genuine banknote, then when you see a fake you will know it immediately. God Bless :)
 

Fillan

Well-known member
Oct 25, 2022
364
366
63
45
#92
In regards to the Bible, it seems only people over a certain age-retirement age- I guess seem to be hungry for the word in my area. I've been to a LOT of churches over the years and rarely ever have I seen younger people or even people under 65 at actual Bible studies. I"m not talking about "let's study this guy or gals book and look up a few scripture passages." I mean dig into the word and discuss. I've always been the youngest in these groups and now I'm over 50 and am still the youngest, I think. Even CBS (Community Bible Study) this huge International Bible study is mostly older folk. Don't get me wrong, I love older people, and I'm becoming one myself, lol...but it seems like millienials are more interested in deconstructing their faith and figuring out what Enneagram number they are.
Hello Aslan. What you say I have experienced too. Many faithful Christians are older, younger believers can be more liberal than older saints. Quite often but not always. I am in a fairly large (by Scottish standards) church for a few years, there are some younger people, some students but the faithful ones in ministries, deacons, prayer meeting etc are generally older. This I believe is a sign of the times too. God Bless You :)
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
14,840
5,351
113
62
#93
Hello Aslan. What you say I have experienced too. Many faithful Christians are older, younger believers can be more liberal than older saints. Quite often but not always. I am in a fairly large (by Scottish standards) church for a few years, there are some younger people, some students but the faithful ones in ministries, deacons, prayer meeting etc are generally older. This I believe is a sign of the times too. God Bless You :)
There arose a generation that knew not the Lord...Judges 2:10
 

Fillan

Well-known member
Oct 25, 2022
364
366
63
45
#94
There arose a generation that knew not the Lord...Judges 2:10
Hello Cameron! I think you hit the nail on the head. In the West we have a generation or two who have grown up with little or no Christian influence, no biblical foundation. Instead evolution, LGBT, Liberalism, influenced by their peers and crazy celebrities, social media not books. Talking of the end times I think this is a generation that could on the whole be vulnerable to deception if the A/C and the mark of the beast were to come along. God Bless :)
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
14,840
5,351
113
62
#95
Hello Cameron! I think you hit the nail on the head. In the West we have a generation or two who have grown up with little or no Christian influence, no biblical foundation. Instead evolution, LGBT, Liberalism, influenced by their peers and crazy celebrities, social media not books. Talking of the end times I think this is a generation that could on the whole be vulnerable to deception if the A/C and the mark of the beast were to come along. God Bless :)
Hey Fillan. Good to chat again. Good insight in your post.
 
Jun 5, 2020
941
169
43
#96
Hello Cameron! I think you hit the nail on the head. In the West we have a generation or two who have grown up with little or no Christian influence, no biblical foundation. Instead evolution, LGBT, Liberalism, influenced by their peers and crazy celebrities, social media not books. Talking of the end times I think this is a generation that could on the whole be vulnerable to deception if the A/C and the mark of the beast were to come along. God Bless :)
You lost me with "evolution, LGBT, Liberalism, influenced by their peers and crazy celebrities, social media not books". Clearly you have a problem with people who don't agree with your rigid thinking. I have been a very serious, devoted Christian for many years, and I believe in evolution, respect (and love) LGBTQs, and am a political liberal, I listen to my peers but don't admire celebrities simply because they're famous. I don't spend any time on social media (except Christian forums such as this one) and read a lot of books other than the Bible.

If you think that your socio-political stance has anything in common with Christianity, you are clearly deceived.
 
Feb 17, 2023
44
62
18
Somewhere
#97
Hello Cameron! I think you hit the nail on the head. In the West we have a generation or two who have grown up with little or no Christian influence, no biblical foundation. Instead evolution, LGBT, Liberalism, influenced by their peers and crazy celebrities, social media not books. Talking of the end times I think this is a generation that could on the whole be vulnerable to deception if the A/C and the mark of the beast were to come along. God Bless :)
Yep. I definitely belong to this generation you're describing and couldn't agree more. I too was so self absorbed, having a form of godliness because I grew up in the church but I had completely liberal, anti-Christ views but believed I was on my way to heaven and a good Christian. Meanwhile I lived Monday - Saturday just like the world. Thank God He pulled me out of that. I believe because my mom who is a really strong believer never stopped praying for me. Young people really need prayer. Especially the ones who think they're saved but are self-deceived.
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,635
7,666
113
#98
He has been so very good to us all. He has shown us His immense love for us putting people in our lives to draw us to Him.
Our best is yet to come.
Blessings
 

Fillan

Well-known member
Oct 25, 2022
364
366
63
45
#99
You lost me with "evolution, LGBT, Liberalism, influenced by their peers and crazy celebrities, social media not books". Clearly you have a problem with people who don't agree with your rigid thinking. I have been a very serious, devoted Christian for many years, and I believe in evolution, respect (and love) LGBTQs, and am a political liberal, I listen to my peers but don't admire celebrities simply because they're famous. I don't spend any time on social media (except Christian forums such as this one) and read a lot of books other than the Bible.

If you think that your socio-political stance has anything in common with Christianity, you are clearly deceived.
Hello jaybo! Thank you for your reply. I will further explain my comment for you.

Regarding Evolution, the bible says that death is an enemy and that there was no death before Adam sinned, what God created was 'good'. Under evolution there would be death for millions of years before Adam sinned, Adam and Eve would be walking in the Garden of Eden on the skulls of billions of dead creatures. Doesn't seem good. To say that Evolution and the bible are opposites would not be an exaggeration and to say that they are incompatible would seem reasonable.

Regarding LGBT, Jesus said that in the beginning God created Male and Female, Adam and Eve again. Loving LGBT people is to tell them the truth in love. The truths of God's word. Regarding liberalism. Looking at the bible through the continually changing lens of society, for example as above suddenly trying to bring same sex marriage into the church. This runs the risk that someone could be following a Jesus of imagination rather than the Jesus of revelation in the bible. Regarding social media, I work in a library, I have often met folks who haven't dug deep into books and many who are celebrity obsessed. If that's not you then good, please don't take any offence from my comment.

I don't want you to follow my thinking, I want you to think in line with God's word. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11). Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2)

As for politics I'm rather apolitical. I'm not liberal or conservative, I don't believe any worldly political philosophy sits neatly with the gospel. Jesus said his Kingdom is not of this world. Philippians3: 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

God Bless You :)
 
Jun 5, 2020
941
169
43
Hello jaybo! Thank you for your reply. I will further explain my comment for you.

Regarding Evolution, the bible says that death is an enemy and that there was no death before Adam sinned, what God created was 'good'. Under evolution there would be death for millions of years before Adam sinned, Adam and Eve would be walking in the Garden of Eden on the skulls of billions of dead creatures. Doesn't seem good. To say that Evolution and the bible are opposites would not be an exaggeration and to say that they are incompatible would seem reasonable.

Regarding LGBT, Jesus said that in the beginning God created Male and Female, Adam and Eve again. Loving LGBT people is to tell them the truth in love. The truths of God's word. Regarding liberalism. Looking at the bible through the continually changing lens of society, for example as above suddenly trying to bring same sex marriage into the church. This runs the risk that someone could be following a Jesus of imagination rather than the Jesus of revelation in the bible. Regarding social media, I work in a library, I have often met folks who haven't dug deep into books and many who are celebrity obsessed. If that's not you then good, please don't take any offence from my comment.

I don't want you to follow my thinking, I want you to think in line with God's word. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11). Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2)

As for politics I'm rather apolitical. I'm not liberal or conservative, I don't believe any worldly political philosophy sits neatly with the gospel. Jesus said his Kingdom is not of this world. Philippians3: 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

God Bless You :)
I stand by what I wrote. We disagree, so let's leave it at that.