I listened to a man who said I could know the answers to unanswered questions about life, which no theologian had ever given me–and which were never in my mind to begin with.
I listened to a man that said, “the Bible interprets itself,” not grasping that I was letting him interpret it for me.
I listened to a man who focused so much on Satan and the end of the world, that I was in fear that I would die if I didn’t listen to him.
I listened to a man, instead of just reading my Bible–as I used to do when I was a young lad.
I listened to a man who dragged me through the streets and left me for dead.
Christ said to beware of false prophets. But I didn’t know how smooth they could sound, how sincere; how much like “light and truth.” I forgot they would appear as “angels of light.” I wasn’t looking for them–and no one warned me that I should. I wasn’t informed that Satan makes use of mind manipulation.1 I think it must be one of his biggest weapons and comes under the heading of “evil.”
I never dreamed anything like this could ever happen to me. But when it did happen, I was as innocent as if someone took a gun to my head and robbed me of every last dime, beating me to a pulp in the process. Why didn’t I check out this huckster who ended up stealing my mind? Why didn’t I pray for the spirit of discernment? Not truth, but discernment. Why didn’t I prove the doctrines I took for granted growing up? Why was I so timid to ask others about him while I still had time? Why was I so thoughtless as to think that this one man, more than anyone else, had to be “God’s man,” and all others who said they were Christian, and preached differently, had to be–must be–phony?
When blindness finally comes, it is impossible to see through that darkness.
Trusting a man, believing I was serving God. This world is not basically good and safe like I once believed. The path through life is not one we should walk without glancing to both sides. It is filled with con artists, hucksters, frauds, deceitful workers of iniquity, evil men who care not for our souls.
I listened to a man and I was caught in his net.
Can any know the wretchedness, the gut-wrenching pain, the emptiness–the absolute nakedness–when your trust is finally smashed to bits and the truth has slapped you so hard in the face you can barely think?! Nobody can know unless they have been in that kind of darkness.
I went in step by step through deception; I came out step by step by seeing the light. I almost gave up my faith. Just trash the whole package because if what the liar said wasn’t true, then it couldn’t be true anywhere else. I went down that road for a short while, but I found out it is just another lie–listening to not one man this time, but many, all wanting to turn me onto another path of darkness, while they promise me “liberty.” It gave no satisfaction and led to emptiness and senselessness. Building on a foundation of sand.
Prior to getting betrayed, I wasn’t close to the real, genuine God. I prayed, but I didn’t really know Him. I just took church and God for granted. “They’ll always be here” kind of thing. I neglected to read my Bible regularly. Where is that verse that says seek Him early?2 I didn’t treasure that small faith I started out with as a young lad. God’s words didn’t continue to have a lasting influence on my life. The spiritual lack inside of me left me wide open to listening to a man. I remember coveting his literature and words more than the words of my Bible. I stacked up his booklets and magazines like they were gold.
How was I to know that liars use opposites? “Everyone else is on the wide path, but I have the narrow path; follow what I say.” The message looked and sounded so true. Seduced into believing a lie–and dearly paying for it.
Only a lying prophet would tell me he has the truth that no one else does! That it’s contained in booklets diametrically opposed to what God had already revealed through His church for centuries. How mixed up the mind can get when we get tangled in a web of deceit and lies. I failed to treasure the faith I had known when young. How easy it is to start desiring something more than what we have.
Lies are hard to live with. Their chains are cruel and thick, packed with guilt and fear, and they give us no rest. To be lied to in the name of God is the worst.
Why do others seem to go on believing in God after such treachery? Maybe deep down they know He (the true One) loves them, in spite of it all. I believe I was this way.
I was God’s lost sheep, caught in a dark web of lies. He allowed it, but He took no delight in the torture it took to break free…and He has comforted me. He is greater than it all and nothing can separate me from His love. Beware of men who would deceive us. False prophets hide in beautiful Trojan horses.
Today I know that life–real life–is about Jesus and His love. Not listening to a man. Not following the rules in his booklets. Not thinking he has all the answers. It’s Jesus that changes lives. That is the proof He’s real. Otherwise, the person who names His name is a liar. I know for a fact that He changed me. The Bible is TRUE. Jesus is REAL. Don’t ever let anyone convince you to the contrary.
By H. C.
Exit & Support Network™
Updated February 20, 2021
“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” ~Psalms 118:8
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Back to Mike’s Enlightenment Page (Philadelphia Church of God Exposed)