Today, the body of believers is still suffering because of division. The apostle Paul wrote, “You are still worldly. for since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not mere men? For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere men? What after all is Apollos? And what is Paul?......So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:3-5, 7

While many Christians, from different faiths, desire to operate in unity, there are still those sects that exclude themselves from the rest of the body; exactly the problem Paul was addressing. They begin to think that their group IS the body and all others impostors. Confidence in Christ is exchanged for confidence in their ministry or administration. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:5,6

The teaching that only one administration is the truth and all others false is incorrect and is a fulfillment of Jesus’ words in Matthew 24: 4-5, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”

While unaware, the adherents to this doctrine have become instruments through which Satan can weave his deception. It is unnecessary to name particular denominations as the culprits. The real source of the delusion is the devil. The conflict is between truth and lies, not between churches or people. Deception is Satan’s most highly developed skill. It is the root of all his tactics. Even before Eden, Satan deceived himself by believing he could be as the Most High. “I will ascend above the tops of the clouds. I will make myself like the Most High.” Isaiah 14:14

He’s had time since then to hone his skill as master Deceiver and makes clever use of it. He has arranged things so that one church stands against another, causing all kinds of division among belivers. Were we all to stand in unity against the true enemy of our souls, how much more profitable that would be to the Kingdom of God. How much less opportunity the Master Deceiver would have to perform his chicanery.

The apostle Paul says that Satan can disguise himself. “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14 He portrays a convincing but distorted picture to distract from the truth. When a person is not familiar with the genuine truth, he may easily accept a counterfeit. Jesus had this to say about the devil. “.....there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44

The genuine truth is Jesus Christ for he says about himself, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” John 14: 5, 6

Let’s consider Michael and his search for truth. Perhaps his story will help us understand how easily one can mistake a counterfeit for the genuine. Michael has heard about Jesus’ love and how he died for the world, but the personal significance of atonement has never taken root in his heart. In the parable of the sower we read of the same situation. “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.” Matthew 13:19

Michael knows he has a spiritual hunger, but isn’t quite sure how to satisfy it. He ponders, “There are so many churches. Some say, ‘Come this way. It’s the only way that’s right.’ How do I know which one to choose?” It is precisely in this frame of confusion that the impostor delights to work. It is most unfortunate when a “gospel” other than the truth penetrates the hearts and minds of people who are unaware of the enemy’s ploy.

Why doesn’t the Lord interecede now to prevent this deception? Michael wants the truth doesn’t he? Yes, he desires it, but he has a preconceived idea of what it is. His heart is not prepared for the seed of faith in the Lord Jesus. He is still at the place of faith only in himself and what he can do to make himself acceptable to God. He doesn’t understand that only Christ Jesus, in us, is able to make us righteous before God. He hasn’t read or comprehended, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6

He hasn’t been enlightened to the mystery that Paul speaks of, “...the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 Christ in us IS our hope of glory! Believing he needs to earn favour with God, Michael wants to be sure he does all the right things. He wants to hear more than just “Jesus loves you.” He wants someone to clearly tell him what he should do, as if somehow, there is something he can do to make himself right. Satan has waited for this moment. He sends his lying spirits to minister to Michael’s hungry heart. “He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.” Proverbs 27:7

If Michael will believe the lie that only one denomination is the truth, he will miss the surety that only JESUS is the truth. The mission of these lying spirits is to that end. Michael’s interest is stimulated by enticing issues of controversy that bare no relevance to salvation at all. As he gains trust in his peers, he is subtly seduced into accepting their word on more important matters. Remember, that the father of lies is responsible for this base style of deception, and he involves others in his ploy, though they may be unaware . They too, have been misled. Most adherents to this false doctrine are diligent bible students. The hindrance is that they believe that their group is right and all others are wrong. They can’t help but begin to feel slightly above the rest. This condition of pride is the perfect fabric through which the thread of deception is woven. The product will be a garment other than the garment of righteousness, or the white robe worn by the Bride of Christ. “But when the King came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’....Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness....” Matthew 22:11-13

Michael’s group has gained his trust. Now he finds himself in a precarious position. While actively defending what he has learned, he struggles with a nagging insecurity deep inside. His deepest spiritual need has never really been met. He doesn’t reveal these feelings to anyone, because he doesn’t want to be labelled as one who is backsliding, and he can’t risk finding out that many of the others in his group may feel the same way. If they do, it would mean this is not the way of satisfaction, and if it is not the way of truth, then what is it? The wolf in sheep’s clothing has cleverly snared poor Micahel. He has falsely discredited every other believer and denomination and left Michael to build his faith on ritual and works which will surely fail.

Yet there is hope. In the book of James it says, “But he gives us more grace. That is why scripture says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:6-10

The moment God sees Michael’s heart humbled...humbled to the place where he’ll confess that his works aren’t working; when he’ll concede that he, like all of humanity, is in a condition of sin and in need of mercy; when Michael sees that works and rituals can’t possibly substitute for knowing God; and when all that matters to Michael is knowing God; that is when God will reveal the truth to him. He must be willing to set aside every preconceived idea he ever had about God. He must open the door of his heart to the Lord.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 Michael finally chooses Jesus. He realises that the question is not “Which church is the truth or has the truth?” but “Do I know what truth is?” There are hundreds of denominations but only two real choices, the lie or the truth. It seems a lot less complicated to divide truth from error than to divide one denomination from another. False teaching can show itself in any church. God gave Jesus to the whole world. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Michael’s responsibility is to nurture his growth in the truth (Jesus) through searching and prayer. Then that which is false will be obvious to him. Why should he study the Bible? It is God’s main communication to his people. Like any relationship, it is through communication that we come to know each other better. We don’t study to find out which sect is right or wrong; we study to know God, and by knowing Him we come to understand His Word to us more and more intimately. Our purpose is to personally grow in truth not to decide who has it. That judgement is left to the Lord. Once we find truth we need to apply it to ourselves.

How do you know if you are in a snare? If your eternal confidence is in anything else besides Jesus, you have been deceived. You are a victim of the enemy’s ploy. He causes division to distract you from Jesus. No form of worship, no procedure, no ministry, and no moral code can take the place of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. If you relate to Michael’s story, choose as he did. Take the posture of humility and ask God the Father about it. He won’t give you a stone when you ask for bread. Open your heart to him. Don’t limit Him by your own or others’ ideas and beliefs. Be willing to hear the truth, no matter what it costs.

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 “We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124: 7-8