A Warning to Men

1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.

- 2 Samuel 11:1-4

God has created men with certain drives, motivations, and ambitions. The fact that we are wired to strive, fight, or struggle to do something is why sports are so popular. We all enjoy a good struggle. When David stopped fighting the battles that God wanted him to fight, he started seeking some other conquest, and that conquest was adultery. If you don’t get involved “when kings go forth to battle,” that’s when you’re going to fall into sin.

As men, we are warriors in search of a new conquest. We need to take that thrill-seeking nature and channel that into God’s fight. The guy who is never fighting the Lord’s battle might channel all of his energy into sports or some other hobby and waste too much time accumulating “wood, hay, and stubble.” When those pursuits no longer satisfy, he might end up like David-- seeking thrills with his neighbor’s wife.

People will say that I’m always on a kick, but that’s by design. Whether it’s fighting against a certain false doctrine or going soul winning in some new area, I enjoy taking on new challenges. If I’m going to get excited about a struggle, it’s not going to be over throwing a ball around. It’s going to be between the forces of good and evil.

The Christian life is meant to be so challenging that God compares it to both a sporting event and a physical battle field. Like running a race, contending for the faith can be exciting, but not all of life’s battles are fun. We go through trials and temptations, and we need to understand that those things are in our life for a reason. Pushing through the difficult times is what helps us grow spiritually.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4

We have a tendency to say we are in a battle “right now” as if it were temporary, but in reality, the Christian life is one battle after another. We look forward to the end of each battle, but there’s no discharge from this war. It may seem like it would be nice to retire and rest all the time, but people become bored when life is no longer challenging. We need to stay busy for the Lord because "an idle mind is the Devil’s workshop."

Here is a sermon to go with this article.

Lottery Tickets are Purchased by Fools

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Luke 16:10-13

If you’ve been given a little bit of money and you are unfaithful with it, why would anyone invest a larger amount of money with you? People who have a little money and are stupid with it cannot be trusted with more. One of the things stupid people do with their money is buy lottery tickets.

Do you ever wonder why people who win the lottery ruin their lives? It’s because only dumb people are buying the ticket! Do they suddenly become wise after they win? No, the lottery winner is the same foolish person who bought that ticket.

If a wise person won the lottery, he or she would be smart with it, but people who know how to manage money don’t buy lottery tickets. If you study the demographics of who plays the lottery, the poorest zip codes buy the most lottery tickets, and the wealthiest zip codes buy the least. A lot of poor people are taking what little money they have and being unfaithful with it.

Instead of using the money to buy nutritious food or invest in something that will improve their situation, they waste those last couple bucks on a lottery ticket. A person like that doesn’t know what to do with “the true riches” even if they ever do hit it big.

In the end, they’ll go into debt because they open up lines of credit with their winnings and end up worse off than before. They started out with zero when they spent their last few bucks on a lottery ticket, and now they’re in the negative.

The house always wins, friend. Not only are the odds stacked against you, but God is not going to bless your finances if, instead of working diligently, you are always trying to get rich quick.

“He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.”

Here is a full sermon on gambling.

Don't Quit the Ministry

A lot of guys go out and start a church and then quit, and it’s a tragedy because we need more churches. If you are a young man who wants to become a pastor or missionary, you need to decide right now that you are going to finish what you start. When I started Faithful Word Baptist Church, it was hard. I had to knock a lot of doors to get visitors, and most of them didn’t stick.

We averaged around ten people the first year including my family of five. At one point about six months in, we were running in the 20’s, but then we lost almost everyone and it was down to my family and just two other people—Amanda and Virginia. My family and those two ladies were important, and I continued to preach as if I had a large crowd. Amanda has remained faithful since the second Sunday, and I don't know what we would have done without her since there were many services where it was just her and our family.

In those early days, I didn’t know how it was going to turn out, but I kept telling myself not to quit. My sister told me to think of myself as a missionary because I was winning a lot of souls out door-to-door even though the church was small. Pastor Jimenez and Pastor Berzins had similar experiences in that they started with very few people and experienced slow growth even though they were working hard.

Now that several of us like-minded pastors have a large following on YouTube, we have listeners all over the world who are looking for a good church to attend. People will hear about a new church starting up in their area and show up for the first service. That might make for a better turnout in the beginning, but if you’re going to be a pastor, you need to be willing to stick with it even if things don’t go as well as expected.

Trials still happen. People drop out of church or move away, and infiltrators creep in and try to cause trouble. Protestors might show up or worse. Persecution will come. Being in the ministry is more than just preaching and going soul winning. It is often a series of trials and disappointments, but if you stick with it, it can be very rewarding in the long run.

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

Pastor Greg Locke Exposed

Pastor Greg Locke taking an extremely bold stand with this controversial tee.

If you have watered-down Christian friends, you may have seen Pastor Greg Locke’s videos pop up recently in your Facebook newsfeed. The way that Greg Locke gets his following is by putting out a video about whatever is the current trending topic that week. He’ll act like he’s taking a hard stand on an issue, but in reality, he always just says what about half of America would agree with.

For example, he was all over the Target bathroom policy issue when that was in the news. Another topic he supposedly took a stand on was when he complained that a gospel singer was cancelled from being on the Ellen Degeneres show. Why isn’t anyone asking why a Christian would even want to be on that show anyway, when Ellen DEGENERATE is an open Sodomite!?

Wow, he’s pro-Christian and against the democratic platform. Locke’s videos just repeat the same mainstream media talking points from Fox News or conservative talk radio. It’s not that hard to stand up and say something millions of people will back you up on.

Not only is Greg Locke a mainstream neo-conservative, but he is extremely politically correct in his preaching. In his response to the Orlando shooting, he lumps homosexuals in with Blacks like they are just another minority group and condemns Christians who said the incident was the judgment of God. In that same video where he expresses his condolences to the entire “LGBT community,” he brags that he just had a “gay” man in his church service that morning.

It’s a major red flag when a pastor switches from being King James only and goes completely liberal. That’s right, Greg Locke used to be an independent fundamental Baptist. Obviously, this guy was always a fraud and infiltrator.

“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.” 1 John 2:19

Frankly, Greg Locke couldn’t make it as an independent fundamental Baptist because his preaching wasn’t up to par. Even back when Locke was an IFB, I remember having a conversation with Brother Jimenez about how we didn’t care for him and couldn’t understand how he even got preaching engagements.

Once Locke found out he couldn’t gain the popularity he wanted in IFB circles, he just defected over to the worldly, sissified, skinny jeans wearing, bar stool sitting, purple lighting, non-denominational, praise and worship style of church.

Here is a quote taken from Pastor Greg Locke’s doctrinal statement:

“Salvation is truly everlasting life; however, those who have trusted Christ are his and will obey him and his word. We do not believe a person can live any way they so desire and be saved.”

This is not the Gospel. Salvation is a free gift. Locke tries to make it sound like you’ll do all the right things because you’re saved, but then in the next breath he says you can’t live however you want and be saved. It’s really just a thinly-veiled works salvation, and this type of double speak is just what one would expect from a politician like Pastor Greg Locke.

Here is a sermon on “The New Man vs the Old Man” where I debunk this false doctrine, using a ton of scripture.

Truthful Prosperity Preaching

The health and wealth prosperity gospel is a lie. Prosperity preachers teach that if you serve the Lord, everything is always going to go well for you. A lot of times because we are reacting to that lie, we lose sight of the fact that God will bless our obedience. With every false doctrine, there’s usually some truth mixed in. The truth of the matter is that God will reward and prosper us in the end, but we have also been called to a life of suffering and affliction.

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19

Jeremiah’s life is a perfect example of this. In Jeremiah 40 we see the aftermath of the fall of Jerusalem. They besieged Jerusalem for a long time. They killed all the princes. They put out Zedekiah’s eyes. The city is destroyed, the houses have been burned, and the Chaldeans have taken over.

After the battle is over, they took captives of all the important people in Jerusalem. Jeremiah was among those captives, but Nebuzaradan, the captain of the host, actually lets Jeremiah go. Look what it says in verse 4:

“And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.”

Nebuzaradan basically told Jeremiah if you want to come to Babylon, I’ll personally take care of you and make sure you have what you need. Or if you don’t think it’s a good idea to go to Babylon, stay here. God miraculously worked in the hearts of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan, and others in order to bless Jeremiah.

“When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7

Jeremiah had been through a lot of hard times up until this point. He spent a lot of time in prison. One of the times he was in a pit of mire that was literally like the hole of an outhouse with no food to eat. In Jeremiah 40, Jeremiah is at that point in his life where he’s paid his dues and things are finally turning around for him. He has money and freedom and gets to live wherever he wants.

God will prosper us for doing right, but what the health and wealth preachers leave out is all the trials and heartache along the way. We need to understand that there’s a timeline: First there is suffering; then we are blessed.

Job is another great example of someone who was afflicted for awhile but was blessed in the long run:

“So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: “Job 42:21a

“Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.” Psalm 37:37

When you live for the Lord, you’re going to be blessed in the end. Eventually, you’re going to prosper. It may not seem like it right now, but someday when you look back at your life, you’re going to be able to say, "Jesus led me all the way."

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

Here is the sermon on Jeremiah 40 that covers this subject

Flee Fornication

“Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18

 Fornication is defined as a man and a woman sleeping together before marriage. This sin is condemned throughout the Bible, especially in the New Testament. We are all sinners, but not all sin is equal. The Bible teaches that fornication is so serious that it can get you thrown out of the church.

“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” 1 Corinthians 5:11

“…Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” 1 Corinthians 5:13b

If you are saved and sleeping with someone you aren’t married to, you need to repent of that sin. If you are living together, and you’re not married, then you are living in sin. If you plan to keep coming to church, your options are to get married or stop living together.

The Bible teaches that we should only have physical relations within marriage, so if you aren’t married yet, you need to deny that ungodly lust and wait until you get married to enjoy the benefits of marriage. If you aren’t ready to marry the person you are dating, then you shouldn’t be sleeping together. Have some self-control and respect for your body!

“For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:” 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

People who commit fornication for the first time often do not end up marrying that person but go on to be with person after person. Our bodies were not designed to exchange bacteria with hundreds of different people. In fact, there are infections people can get that are not considered STDs per say but are virtually unheard of in people who got married as virgins and have had only one partner. I realize that people die and their spouse can remarry, but sleeping with more than a few people in your lifetime is very unhealthy. In fact, the Bible calls it filthy.

“And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:” Revelation 17:4

Even if you are in a monogamous relationship, fornication is still wrong. Remember the story of Dinah in Genesis chapter 34?

“And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.”

“And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?”

So many women today are in relationships where they would like to get married, but the guy won’t marry them. These jerks need to do the right thing, but the women are also to blame. Unfortunately, the old adage still holds true: Why buy the cow if you can get the milk free?

Here is a sermon to go with this article.

If the Shoe Fits

"And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Luke 12:15

When children are materialistic, they usually learned it from their parents. Competitiveness in kids is why some schools implement uniforms so that parents won’t feel pressured to provide the expensive brands. Unfortunately, adults are often guilty of trying to keep up with the Jones’s in the area of their children’s wardrobes.

If you are crazy enough to buy your child $200 limited edition Jordans for no special occasion, at least teach him not to brag about it. This starts with setting a better example yourself. You might know how to mask your bragging better than your teenager does, but people see right through it. Should a lady really be boasting about the shopping sprees made possible by a child support check from her ex? You see, a married couple living on one income with a large family probably can’t afford to spend that kind of money on shoes that their children will soon outgrow.

If that stay-at-home mom you feel superior to would just leave her husband, she too, could put her kids on a bus in the morning and not see them again until late that evening. If she was working full-time plus collecting child support, maybe then her kids could have the same wardrobe as your spoiled brat. I realize single moms have to do what they have to do, but a broken home is nothing to boast about. Yes, your kids get a lot of money thrown at them because they have a “Disneyland dad” who is trying to compete with you. He may even have another wife who is working to help pay for it all.

Not only is buying expensive shoes for children impractical, but raising them to have champagne tastes is doing them a disservice. Often, when young people get married, they feel like they should quickly attain to their parent’s financial status. The reality is that most young couples have to start out in an apartment or other modest house, and money can be tight at first. Your son’s wife will want him to bring home the proverbial bacon—not the latest athletic shoes for himself. Those Nikes he bought while still living at home might have to get a little dirty until he finds a better job. In fact, once the babies start coming, he might not be able to spend much money at all on his own personal ensemble.

Some people need a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Future: I know of a guy who was provided with constant new shoes growing up and still gets them just as often now that he is in his thirties; however, he makes his money dealing drugs. The reality is that an honest job doesn’t always facilitate an extravagant lifestyle, but when people are taught to feel that their value is determined by what they wear, they sometimes have trouble adapting to living on a budget.

There’s also this mentality out there that your child’s wardrobe is more important than yours. If you work at a job where you’re on your feet all day, you might be the one that needs the brand new shoes. Your kids on the other hand probably don’t have foot problems and will do just fine with something inexpensive. Yes, you should provide your children’s needs, but good parenting is not measured by the amount of money you spend on their attire. Your children are more than just accessories or dress-up dolls.

The bottom line is that prideful people will try to show off by overspending. The best way to deal with these types is to make it clear that you are unimpressed and unashamed.

Don’t raise your children with this ghetto mentality that they’re entitled to a new pair of Jordans every month, and to look down on people whose parents have different priorities. If all you can afford is shoes from Payless or the thrift store, don’t feel bad about it. Maybe then your children will learn that there is more to life than shoes.

“How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

Here is a sermon to go with this article

Handling Legal Disputes Between Christians

“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” Matthew 18:15-17

The Bible makes it clear that it is never right to file a lawsuit against a brother or sister in Christ. There is a biblical protocol to follow when someone has wronged you: First, go to the person and try to make it right. If that doesn’t work, bring one or two witnesses to help document the conversation. If all else fails, the guilty party may need to be expelled from the church.

“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.” 1 Corinthians 6: 1-8

“Going to law” in this passage is not talking about reporting crimes such as rape, murder, or child molestation. God put the death penalty on those crimes in the Old Testament, and we should never sweep something like that under the rug. Crimes of that nature should absolutely be reported to the authorities. What the scripture is referring to is suing another believer for financial reasons.

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.” Matthew 5:38-40

When you truly love your neighbor, you will loosen your grip on the things of this world. If you loan something to someone, make sure you can afford to kiss it goodbye. I’m not saying it’s right to borrow something and not give it back. The Bible makes it clear that people should pay what they owe.

“The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.” Psalm 37:21

That said, we should never sue other believers. Sometimes another Christian will wrong you financially, but if the church doesn’t give you justice, then too bad for you. Two wrongs do not make a right. It is wrong to sue your brother in Christ and it is wrong to sue a church, which is a body of believers.

Here is a sermon to go with this article.

Perilous Times

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Timothy 3:1

We are living in a day when Hollywood movies, television shows, and commercials promote homosexuality and other violence, are effectively brainwashing the masses. Schools are changing their history curriculum. Sodomites and their sympathizers are protesting our churches. A dating site called “Christian Mingle” is adding a new search option for homos. Anarchy is breaking out in our streets due to a race war being fueled by the media and politicians. The world is going to hell in a handbasket.

Although we lament the condition of society, it is not cause to be discouraged. Instead of wishing that we had been born during a more peaceful era, we can be thankful that we were chosen to be alive during these tumultuous times and have the opportunity to fight for what is right. We can also be grateful that we still have the freedom to preach the Bible, even though we are facing more opposition now than in recent decades.

"Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this." - Ecclesiastes 7:10 

We are living in this time period for a purpose. Now is not the time to sit back and put our heads in the sand like so many Christians are doing. Cutting up your Target card isn’t changing much, folks. You need to support bold preachers and get involved in soul-winning churches in order to take part in the spiritual battle of today.

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

Read your Bible more, pray more, go to church more, go soul-winning more, and take time to teach your children, younger siblings, and converts important Bible doctrine. Preaching the gospel to people is important, but it is only a part of the Great Commission. Most of us have weaker Christians within our circle of influence that we can bring to church and talk to about spiritual things. Do something every day to help further the cause of Christ. Sometimes even just sharing a sermon on social media or giving a friend a biblical DVD can get them fired up and start them on a whole new path. If we aren’t going to see the great tribulation, the next generation might, or their children might. Those of us who are more mature in the faith need to furnish the next generation with the knowledge they need to face uncertain times.

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:20

Here is a sermon to go with this article.

Meaningful vs. Meaningless Life

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read about King Solomon who pretty much had everything, yet he said it was all vanity. Money doesn’t buy happiness. You can’t take it with you. Name the cliché about earthly riches not being the answer, and Solomon would probably agree.

“And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

“Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Ecclesiastes 2:17

Those of you who aren’t serving the Lord are living a meaningless life. Your house is your habitat, and your job keeps you busy like a hamster running on a wheel. If you aren’t doing anything with lasting value, you are basically living the life of an animal. Your motto is “let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.” But what about after that?

First of all, you need to be saved, or you will spend eternity in Hell. After salvation, though, a wise person will start laying up treasures in heaven. Some of what we do in life is necessary--like working to provide for our family, taking care of our homes, etc. Recreational activities help us to improve our relationships with family and friends. Even personal hobbies are fine, because the Bible does teach that we should enjoy life. Be careful though, that you don’t fill up all of your time with things that have no eternal value.

“Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

God did not put us on this earth to merely exist, which is why we often have an empty feeling at the end of a wasted day. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Reproducing ourselves spiritually and physically, learning the Bible, and investing in other people should be high on our priority list. Souls being won to Christ is what really makes a difference in this world.

“And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 22-23

Decide each day that your day is not going to be meaningless. In addition to accumulating a little wood, hay, and stubble, be sure that you are doing something meaningful every day of your life. Different people are in different situations and some have more free time than others, but we can all carve out some time to read the Bible, pray, win souls, and influence others to do the same.

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3

Here is a sermon to go with this article.

Beware of Flattery

Today, the word flattery can mean anything from “a flattering compliment” to “insincere, excessive praise.” The flattery talked about in the Bible isn’t a regular compliment. The flattery that the Bible condemns is a dishonest, laying-it-on-thick form of flattery that people will use to try to butter you up. God warns us in the Bible that people who use flattery are setting a trap, and the person who flatters you just might be your enemy.

“A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.” Proverbs 29:5

“Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.” Psalm 5:8-9

If you are living a godly, Christian life, there will be people that are out to get you. Occasionally, reprobates will creep into the church and try to target key players. Sometimes it is hard for us as Christians to comprehend that some people have very sinister motives.

“Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.” Micah 2:1

People who are young and naïve are often susceptible to flattery-- like when a predator tells a girl he can make her a model and she ends up the victim of a sex-trafficking ring. Learn the difference between a regular compliment and suspicious behavior. People who flatter you probably want something from you.

The flatterer in church will try to gain your confidence and then betray you since the Bible says they are also talebearers. People want to be liked, and they want to open up to their friends, but you shouldn’t tell people too much too soon—especially if they seem to be flattering you while gossiping about others.

“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” Proverbs 29:11

“He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.” Proverbs 20:19

Flattery probably isn’t a tactic that you’ll have to deal with on a day-to-day basis, but it does happen—especially in churches. If someone flatters you to the point where you feel uncomfortable, it’s probably a red flag, and you should avoid that person.

Here is a sermon to go with this article.