Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
“For such are false apostles . . . transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.”
2Corinthians 11:13
The message delivered is only as trustworthy as the messenger who brings it. Many a Scripture has been quoted by someone with an unclean spirit, having the effect of turning souls away from the true God, using what was originally of Him. Satan quoted Scriptures when trying to lure Jesus toward his evil ways. Millions of times, Jesus has been lauded by the Devil’s servants in order to attract trusting souls into the snare of Christianity. “Many” Jesus said, “will come in my name.” His name is wonderful. Many who “come in his name” are most certainly not.
Know the messenger. Find out who he really is. Find out where his authority to bring you a message from the Lord came from. John the apostle exhorted the saints with wise words: “Dearly loved people, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out from us into the world.” Even if a message originally belonged to God, the question is, has the person bearing that message been ordained by God to bring it? God’s message is always good and faithful, but the messenger who brings it may not be. Know the messenger! Then, you can never be misled by the spirit behind his message.
Jesus said that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and he said that a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Jesus was talking about people’s spirits and the effect their lives, good or bad, have on others. We can be confused; we can be mistaken; we can be ignorant; but if our hearts are pure, we will produce nothing that would destroy souls. On the other hand, we can be educated, sophisticated, and sure of our facts, and still produce nothing but what is harmful for the souls affected by our actions.
Using right words does not make a man good, and using the wrong words does not make a man evil. The message can be perfect, but if an unclean spirit brings it to you, the effect of the message will not be good, as God intended it to be.