Honesty is disappearing, integrity is disappearing, sincerity is disappearing, righteousness is disappearing. How many times have you been deceived by someone who said they cared about you? This question isn’t meant to open up old wounds but as a reference to what the Bible describes when it says:
“Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.” Psalms 12:1-2
The Lord Jesus experienced this firsthand. Many would flatter Him with their words, calling Him things like “good teacher,” but He always transferred that glory to God. It’s easy to get pulled in by a compliment, a good word, or praise, but we must always weigh the words and compare them to a person’s actions. Too many times, people have been kissed on one cheek and cursed on the other by the same person. We see that the love that humans once had towards each other is slowly but surely disappearing. We are living in a culture of backstabbing and only caring for ‘me, myself, and I.’
This is not a fear tactic but instead a warning to all those who live in the faith. Beware! Do not be led away by flattery, but instead, ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern between those who are friends and those who are foes.
May the God of the Bible bless you!
Bishop Bira Joshua
