We looked at the power behind the resurrection of Jesus Christ last week, (click here). We should know that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is now available to every believer to fulfill God’s perfect plan for their own life.

Why has God made such unbelievable power available to us? I believe it’s because of the power of Satan that’s in the world. We need God’s power to be able to resist him. The word of God is clear about what Satan is out to accomplish:

Revelation 12:9

9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world;

Satan is out to deceive us! We often think of Satan only in the bad things of the world; like crime, drugs, prostitution, and other obvious types of evil. But look what else the Bible says about him and his followers:

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

These false apostles and teachers often look like they are sweet, considerate, moral men. What they say may sound really good! But…

Matthew 7:15

15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Just like Satan, they are out to deceive believers. Satan does not want you to accomplish God’s will for your life! He doesn’t want you to have that confidence and relaxed attitude that comes with spiritual growth, so he sends his disciples to distract us. He doesn’t want you to glorify God here on earth!

Beware! These false prophets can really sound good:

Romans 16:18

18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites (the word really means emotion); and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

2 Timothy 3:5-7

5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women (This doesn’t actually say women, it refers to emotional believers) weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses,

7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The key to this passage in 2 Timothy is the principle of the power. People can act holy, refrain from committing certain sins, go to church, give to the poor, and generally hold to a form of godliness. But the temptation there is to be proud of your OWN power to accomplish those things! If you don’t acknowledge God’s power to accomplish His will in your life, then you are someone to be avoided!

2 Corinthians 4:6-7

6 For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness,"(This is God the Holy Spirit, who said this in Genesis) is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;

God has given us the treasure of His power to accomplish His plan for our life. Beware of Satan’s false prophets, who preach the form of godliness, but ignore the power behind it.

More on this subject to follow.