Too Many Fakes - So What Do We Do?
by Bill Rudge
Most people are impressed by external appearance. They hear a dynamic speaker, view a touching media presentation, see masses of enthralled and cheering people, and blindly get caught up in the emotion and excitement of the moment or the movement.
The pages of history are laced with accounts of multitudes being led astray by powerful speeches, seemingly noble causes, but deceptive motives. The Hitler youth movement influenced a generation, changed a nation, and impacted the world.
One day a dynamic political leader and also an influential religious leader will arise. They will have great charisma, persuasive speech, hypnotizing words, and incredible influence; but their true intents will be concealed with intrigue and deception. They will lead a world of undiscerning people down a path of global and eternal destruction.
Our world is ripe for such political and religious world leaders.
It is imperative we look beyond the surface. Many times when the layers of glitz and glamour are peeled away, what remains is shockingly far removed from what was professed and presented. Whether it is a politician or a preacher, we need discernment.
Let me give you an example of how easy it is to get caught up in the hype and excitement of a cause or movement.
• As a teen in the late 1960's I saw many get caught up in the race riots and rebellion against authority and the establishment, without ever even considering why or where this movement was headed. Very few of my peers really thought about the reason why we were involved or where it would lead. We just went with the flow and growing enthusiasm and joined the crowd for a dead-end ride.
Then as a new Christian I had to learn the lesson of discernment and integrity. The following are just a few examples how I learned about the fakery and hypocrisy that sometimes goes on in the name of Christ.
• A popular evangelist who amazed young and old alike with Bible prophecy had a part in my coming to faith in Christ. A short time later he left his wife and ran off with his secretary, became an alcoholic, embezzled ministry funds, and eventually spent time in prison. As a new Christian I had to make a crucial choice: Do I build my life on men or on God? I chose to build my life and ministry on Christ and His Word and that has made all the difference.
• A popular Christian group performed at a large camp meeting I attended as a new Christian. They sang and testified and shared stories with tears that moved the audience into emotional euphoria. I am not sure why I was never that impressed but I am glad I was not. A few years later they went secular and began singing some raunchy songs. It was hard for me to understand then how they could sing about Jesus with such passion, and then so quickly turn and for money deny the Lord and sing about things that led young people and adults down a path away from Him. It was not surprising to learn shortly thereafter that when they had been doing the Christian circuit, following many of their concerts, they were having sex with girls and women who attended their concerts.
• As a young Christian I attended a large service by a female evangelist. There was an atmosphere of expectancy, but I felt it was more hype than Holy Spirit. I got dragged up to the stage by several people I was with. They and hundreds of others fell down as she breezed past or touched them on the forehead. After several touches on my head, I was the only one on stage, except her, left standing. I was open and hungry for everything of God, just not willing to follow the crowd blindly, wanting rather to keep my eyes and allegiance on Him.
I could share countless illustrations of faked healings, false words from the Lord, financial misappropriation, sexual immorality, drug and alcohol usage, and much more. Some could be understood as the weakness of vessels of flesh. However, much was defiantly flaunted in God's face and willfully mocked the Lord and His people who enabled them to live such a lifestyle because of their lack of discernment and knowledge of God's Word.
So What Do We Do?
Does all the fakery and hypocrisy mean I should reject Christ and Christianity? To the contrary, I embrace Him all the more because His Word warns about such people and practices.
I have spent more than half a lifetime getting to know the Lord and discovering His reality and faithfulness. Besides, where is there to go if I reject the God who created me? He alone has the answers to eternal life.
And why deceive His people when it is a certain fact that I will give an account to Him for every word I speak, every thought and action, and the motives of my heart?
Without a doubt there are many cons that come in the name of Christ, as well as many supposed leaders who are as deceived as the people who follow them. Nevertheless, I have met countless pastors, missionaries, chaplains, and believers who are genuine. They love the Lord with all their hearts and the fruit of their ministries and personal sacrifices –– both in front of people and behind the scenes –– validates their testimonies of commitment and faithfulness to Him. They are mere mortals, but their beliefs and lifestyles prove they serve an immortal God.
I am also meeting a growing number of believers who, in spite of the world becoming more and more vile and corrupt, are desiring with all their hearts to walk in faithfulness and holiness before the Lord. They know His coming is at hand and judgment is about to fall on this world and they want to be faithful servants when He comes or they go to be with Him.
It will not be fun to meet the Lord as a false or unfaithful servant. "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31).
What we need in this day and age –– whether it is in the political arena or religious circles –– is discernment. We must not be impressed, influenced, or seduced by mere words or surface appearance of those who have ulterior motives and agendas.
We live at a time when we must have a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord, know the voice of His Spirit, obey the truth and principles of His Word, and walk in love, integrity, and self-control. Although the days are becoming increasingly confusing and corrupt, those who truly know the Lord will have wisdom and insight and will do exploits in His name.
"Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand" (Daniel 12:10).
Copyright © 2008 by Bill Rudge
