2Co 11:14-15 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (15) So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
We will all do well in remembering and taking to heart these words of Scripture.
When an evil person is exposed after wearing a disguise of godliness or perhaps of just seeming to be “the nicest guy you would ever meet,” reactions are typically the same. “I would never have guessed.” “I just cannot believe it.” “This is not the person I knew.” Many still refuse to believe they have been duped even when the evidence is undeniable.
Christ’s people are supposed to be wise about many things, including the existence and tactics of evil. But so often that is not the case. Evil creeps in among us and operates secretly, working to destroy. Lying. Deceiving. Oppressing. Dividing. All the while disguised as a “servant of righteousness.” God has plainly warned us. Of all people, we as Christ’s servants should not be the ones who keep saying, “I just cannot believe it.”
Over and over again, I have seen these wicked ones deceive their way right up to the top positions in churches, denominations, and parachurch ministries. The trail of destruction in terms of peoples’ lives is far-reaching. As the Apostle Paul said, they “cause the Gentiles to blaspheme” the name of Christ because they work their evil disguised as upstanding Christians.
We need to stop showing partiality in the church. We need to cease from exalting human beings. Paul himself wouldn’t stand for people trying to worship him (see 1 Cor 2:1ff). When we refuse to be the ego supply to disguised wicked ones, their true colors will soon be revealed. Either they will leave to go out looking for easier targets, or their fangs will come out when we refuse to feed their lust for self-glory. Either way, they are exposed.
Rodger
Satans disguise , that is exactly what we are going through here in Australia . Thank you for posting satans disguise it is very up lifting at this particular time . God bless you
Jeff Crippen
You’re welcome. This kind is more than merely “difficult.” They are entirely motivated by a lust for being glorified. They are driven by a profound mentality of entitlement and regard themselves as superior to all. And when anyone refuses to obey and praise them they attack with retaliation and vengeance. They are the unreasoning beasts Scripture mentions.
Kate
As hard as this may seem to those of us groomed to be easy, “willing” prey for the ravenous wolves of this world, it’s a good practice to think that most humans alive today are RASNs. This may appear to be “mean” but it’s not at all. It’s actual biblical.
We are to test all the spirits because many evil ones hide in the church (1 John 4:1 “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.”)
Guard our hearts because evil ones can identify us (those who belong to God) this way and will use our ability to love others, feel guilt, shame, fear for ourselves and others, and our ability to feel grateful, as a way to manipulate us and destroy us. (Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.”)
It may take some practice and training to undo the habit thinking the best of everyone but let others prove/show themselves by their actions. Patience is a gift of the spirit (1 Corinthians 13:4) and God will use this willingness to allow Him to help you discern, to show you the truth about others.
Jeff Crippen
30 years ago when I first came as pastor to our church here, there were some 125 people. Mow there are 20. Why? Because the vast majority were unregenerate counterfeits. A number were full blown RASNs. They hated God’s Word. They had created a social club playground in order to perform as “Christians.” Previous pastors permitted the facade, assuring them God surely loved them.
So it is not an exaggeration to say that in my experience most professing Christians aren’t Christians at all and many are just like Diotrephes in 3 John whose goal is to be superior, entitled and worshiped.
Jeff Crippen
2Ti 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
2Ti 3:2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
2Ti 3:4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
2Ti 3:5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Tracey
This just dawned on me recently that the RASN’s in my life had wanted me to worship them. They wanted to be my god. When I realized this and refused they turned on me, showing me who they really were. Thus began the attacks and revenge. To know I supported them and even loved them most of my life is devastating. It’s hard even now years later realizing how deceived and used I was by them.