Deception at the top...

I do not believe there is a better way for the enemy to deceive a nation than to deceive its SPIRITUAL LEADERS!

He destroys their vision (sight), and they wander like blind men!

He weakens and corrupts the Word of God through traditions and lies until it has ceased to have any effect on the leader.

Without the veracity of God's Word there is nothing to guide and direct the leader. He winds up moving in his own sphere of wisdom and knowledge and experience! Every decision is based on changing principles and ideals and there is absolutely no continuity to his leadership and life! Leaders MUST go beyond what man can possibly know and find direction in an ongoing relationship with the Almighty! He knows all and wants us to tap into His knowledge. Paul said that "..we have the mind of Christ"! (1 Cor 2:16b) and John also told us, "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." (1 John 2:20) and again in v- 27 "..But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you:"

I personally believe that all I need to teach my people is (1)- They need to understand the necessity of hearing God. (2)- They need to be able to hear God! (3)- Do what He says and not let anyone deter them! (Read 1 kings 13:7-32). If the efforts of God's ministers today were focused on these things I have no doubt that our people would learn to walk with the Lord in far more powerful way! This BROADENS THE BASE of Christian ministry!

But alas! We have, for many reasons, taken on ourselves the task of hearing the Lord for our people. Mostly unintentional, but nonetheless counter-productive to their personal directives from Him. I said "mostly" because it is sad to say but many ministers today desire to bring people under their control and into a needful relationship with them. They get their identity that way. Trust me, we only need to preach and teach the things that enhance their abilities to walk their own walk with the Master.

I don't think this is threatening to the role of Apsotle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher! I believe it sets forth the truth about their role as laid out in Ephesians 4:10-16! We are to equip saints to do the work of the ministry. They do not need to be "clones" of us, God forbid that! Each person can reach someone that few others can reach and if they become like us or Billy Graham they can no longer reach that one!

Enough for today...

jack