Five Minute Devotional — 10/13/2011

By John Batts
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14 Oct, 2011
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Several weeks ago, we adopted a couple of kittens that had been rescued by our veterinarian’s office staff. One of the kittens was a small, mostly black little girl that we named “Shadow”. The other kitten was a mostly gray little boy that my son and one of his friends affectionately named “Thor”. It’s been so fun watching them grow up while still being “baby kittens” at heart, tumbling and tussling and keeping each other company. They have been a source of joy and laughter in our house ever since they got there!

Yesterday, though, my family had a little bit of a surprise.

My wife had to take the kittens into the vet’s office for some shots. After administering the shots and giving the kittens a close medical inspection, that’s when they broke the news to my wife: our little “boy” kitten was really a little girl!

You can imagine my shock and disbelief that something so “obvious” could have been missed by the vet’s office when we went to adopt the kittens. However, it apparently takes a little while for the kittens’ bodies to develop enough to really make sure some of the time. So, of course, now we are trying to think of a good “girl name” for our kitten, because the name “Thor” just doesn’t seem very lady-like!

From a Christian perspective, the Bible warns us about a more serious “mistaken identity” issue.

Consider what Jesus said as recorded in Matthew 7:15 …

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” (NKJV)

As Christians, it’s so vitally important that we are mindful of ways our enemy will attack us. Too often, Christians get stuck into thinking that we’ll see our enemy in front of us in a red suit with horns, a tail and a pitchfork. But the only place he looks like that is on the “silver screen”. Recall what the Bible says about the way Satan presents himself:

“And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness…” ( 2 Corinthians 11:14-15a , NKJV)

Satan (along with all those who are under his control) is an expert at being a “master of disguise”. Why? Because he wants to confuse God’s people, infiltrate the family of God, and cause destruction from within.

This raises an important question, then – If our enemy is in disguise, how can we recognize him?

Providentially, God talks about this very thing in His Word:

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” ( Colossians 2:8 , NKJV)

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” ( Galatians 1:6-9 , NKJV)

One way that we can tell if someone is coming to us as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” is by what he or she teaches. Is the Bible at the core of what is being taught? Does the person rely on Scripture as the infallible and inerrant Word of God? Is there more focus on “worldly wisdom” and not a focus on Christ? Is there an emphasis on earning your place with God through works or being granted your place with God by His grace? It’s vitally important that, as Christians, we take the time to evaluate the things that are taught by others through the lens of Christ. If the central message is anything besides “salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ”, it’s inconsistent with the whole of Scripture…and that helps us see through the disguise.

Consider these passages as well – both a continuation of the first two passages listed above:

“You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit….Therefore by their fruits you shall know them.” ( Matthew 7:16-18, 20 , NKJV)

“…whose end will be their works.” ( 2 Corinthians 11:15b , NKJV)

In the end, one of the most sure ways that we can see our enemy – and those who follow him – for who they really are is by their “fruit”. In other words, their lives will show them for who they really are and help us not be confused by their “costumes”.

Galatians 5:19-23 highlights a stark comparison between those who live for themselves and those who live under the constant influence of the Holy Spirit:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (NKJV)

Scripture is clear – when people are living for themselves, which is always under the power and influence of our enemy, the focus is “me, me, me”. If it feels good, do it. If it makes me look better at someone else’s expense, fine. If I get angry, then it’s OK to shout at someone and make them feel horrible, as long as it makes me feel better. When we come across people who have this fruit consistently in their lives, that’s God’s “warning sign” to us – that person might be the enemy in disguise.

The “fruit” that is from God is always outwardly-focused – things like unconditional love… abiding joy regardless of circumstances… peace in the midst of the journey… patience with others no matter what they do or how they let you down… being kind even if others aren’t reciprocating… doing good things because they are the right thing to do, even if it might cost you personally… being faithful even when it isn’t convenient… responding with gentleness and not harshly… exercising self-control so that you don’t respond “off the cuff” and hurt someone in the process. These are all evidences – to others and to ourselves – that we are abiding in Christ.

In John 15:5 , Jesus says this:

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (NKJV)

When someone is abiding in Jesus – and Jesus is abiding in them – the fruit that results from that relationship is obvious. But the opposite is true as well – when someone is doing life apart from Jesus, the fruit that results is obvious as well…and the fruit in someone’s life serves as a sign to us whether or not that person is a real Christian or a “pretender”.

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My family and I are still adjusting to “Thor” being a little girl. Fortunately, it was a fairly harmless case of mistaken identity. But when it comes to our faith, it’s important that we be vigilant about the “wolf in sheep’s clothing” – because there’s a lot more at stake…for us individually, for our families, for our churches, and for our communities.

Have a blessed day today and a wonderful weekend!
–Pastor John

First Baptist Church
of Clear Lake

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