Given to Change 2

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Talking the talk, but the walk does not match

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For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Romans 16:18

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you Matt 24:4

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You meet someone, and they talk like a Christian, making comments about scripture and quoting bible verses.

You are impressed that they are an enthusiastic, well informed believer.

They are impressed themselves, about their testimony, and believe they are saved.

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The CHANGE

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My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change,    Prov 24:21

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Then, there is a difference of opinion, or you say something that seems harmless to you, and suddenly, there is a violent reaction.

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They accuse you of many evil things.

Suddenly, you are the worst friend, the worst spouse, the worst Christian, etc.

You are shocked.

Nothing they are saying is true.

You try to reason with them, and clarify anything you think they misunderstood, but you are still in the presence of total wrath.

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What went wrong?

Why are they acting this way?

Confusion!!!

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You must repent or be punished!!

They know more than you, so you should not question their sudden condemnation of you.

They know “all about you,” and declare they have seen a pattern with you that is irrefutable, and must be “exposed”.

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They MUST “expose” you for the fake and evil person you are!

They talk down to you as inferior to them.

You are just stupid, and worthy of their scorn.

There is a deluge of verbal or physical abuse.

This is because they are right, and you are wrong.

You are going to hell!

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They then “expose” you, and undermine you, to others, and recruit support for your condemnation.

Then, if successful, they use others to harass you to repent for your wicked ways.

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So what happened to the nice person you were talking to?

Answer: they changed from what they presented themselves to be, and became who they really are.

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There was a deception from the beginning.

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There are two general kinds of deception:

1. Intentional

2. Self deception, leading to the deception of others.

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Good link that covers various sorts of deception

http://www.gospelway.com/morality/lying.php

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But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 2 Tim 3:13

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From my college days, I learned that this phenomenon is called “projection.”

This means they are accusing you of what THEY really are

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_projection

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This keeps them from taking the blame.

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2 Timothy 3King James Version (KJV)

3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

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

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Solution

Understand what is happening

Do not accept blame for something you have NOT said, or done wrong

Cut off ties with this person.

Especially before they get ahold of your friends!!

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If he/she has done damage to your reputation, then do damage control, and defend your position.

If your “friends” are heavily swayed by the deceiver, then cut them off. They are not true friends.

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Do not lose your composure, or…if you have lost it, regain it.

Realize that good and evil both exist in this world, so find the good, and pray for protection against the evil.

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Be proactive and vigilant.

Expect to be attacked and be ready, looking for signs of imbalance or inconsistencies in people.

Stay close to the Lord, read the Word, and listen to your inner voice, who is the Holy Spirit in you.

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A message to those who deceive themselves and others:

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Stay awake to your surroundings!

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