RUN AWAY FROM SUPER-APOSTLES WHO MASQUERADE AS GOD’S MESSENGER
SCRIPTURE:
“I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus, we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. 5 I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.” 6 I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. 7 Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way and will continue to do so. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! 12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” (2Corinthians 11:1—15 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
The apostle Paul did not mince words to the Corinthians. He addressed believers that he feared that just as Eve was DECEIVED by the serpent’s cunning, that THEIR MINDS may somehow be led astray from their sincere and pure devotion to Christ. When we are not careful with our minds, we will fall prey to fallacies and deceptions. Our minds have the power to lead us astray. It has the power to make us believe lies.
The Corinthians were sincere and pure in their devotion to Jesus until other teachers came in and corrupted the disciples’ sincerity. We must all be aware that not every preacher and teacher truly teaches the things of God just because they can mention Christ and use the Bible as their task. Believers must always be aware and alert of not only what they teach but also how they live and behave. The Apostle Paul gave the Corinthians a warning about “SUPER APOSTLES” who masquerades themselves as angels of light. Not only that, but they also masquerade themselves as angels of righteousness.
Super-Apostles fill the airwaves in many countries today. They are on the internet and have huge crowds on TV and in stadiums. Speaking on these platforms is okay. But people are taking the time to examine what these SUPER-APOSTLES are teaching. There is a cult of personality involved and a celebrity-like attitude that entertains people. Hardly anyone wants to hear someone like Paul, who may not be eloquent as a trained speaker but speaks the truth whether his hearers like it or not. These Super-Apostles lay the burden on people who give to their ministries.
Paul said the super-apostles are teaching another Jesus, another Gospel, and another Spirit, and yet people are GLADLY PUTTING UP with them. Believers clamored to see SUPER APOSTLES and come away unchanged with the gospel they heard. Paul warned that we as believers should not be looking for teachers and pastors who preach messages that tickle our ears and don’t change our hearts, minds, and behaviors. Paul called these SUPER-APOSTLES workers of Satan, false prophets, deceitful workers who masquerade themselves as workers of Christ.
APPLICATION:
I am grateful for this reminder to be aware of Super-Apostles who masquerade themselves as those who preach the gospel. Paul reminded me that these super-apostles are in it for themselves and their reputations. I will continue to guard myself from these teachers. This is a warning to me to stay humble, simple and sincere in my walk with Jesus. Also, as a pastor, I am not immune to pride. I need to watch my heart, my message, and my life as a pastor, a leader, and a husband in my household.
PRAYER:
Jesus, please forgive me if, at any time, I may have tried to be someone that you did not call me to be. Please help me to be humble, simple and sincere in my devotion to you. Help me to think right. Please teach me to discern error in myself and the words that I speak so people may not be led astray. I humbly ask you to speak to me when I am prideful and misleading people. I look to you, Jesus. Amen!
