Mar - Apr 2004
Index:
THE CHRISTIAN CON-ARTIST –
WHO IS HE?
He's smart, he's smooth, he knows the Christian lingo, he can drop the
right names to impress you
The brazenness of Christian phonies who are very keen to give their
testimonies and raise funds for their "projects" is astounding. Many churches
have been subject to the embarrassing situation where they are duped into believing the
marvellous conversion stories spun by these conmen. We believers are vulnerable because we
naturally love to hear dramatic accounts of God's power reaching to the darkest depths and
doing the impossible. Yes, the Lord does miraculously save and He is still the same today
as He was yesterday. Our tendency towards gullibility is natural - doesn't love
"believe all things"? - and that makes us prey for conscienceless wolves in
sheep's clothing.
What are some of the signs of a Christian con artist?
1. RIGHT FROM THE START - He (it could be a she but let's stay with the
male) is keen to impress you and your church or Christian organisation right from the
start. Within the first few sentences he will let you know about the sensational things
God has done for him and through him.
2. DRAMATICS - The story of his conversion is always dramatic. Don't we
love to hear how a Muslim, Hindu or high priest of satan got saved? The conman will build
into his testimony the graphic details of how he was the top man of his mafia group or
Lucifarian cult. They are seldom saved from being a general member of a false religion;
usually they are the priest, imam, rabbi or mafia boss. It's more exciting to hear the
thrilling story of God saving the top-notch sinner than just a drab story of a common
sinner, who is plain and boring.
3. NAMES DROPPER - The conman is an expert at using the right names to
drop at the right time, just when its most impressive. His cunning is in creating the
impression that other great men of God and good denominations have accepted him so who are
you to have any reservations? If you're Charismatic, Evangelical, Orthodox or Pentecostal,
he'll have the right names to strike a cord with you.
4. KEEN TO GO PUBLIC - The conman is very eager to speak to your top
structures and would like to give his testimony as soon as possible.
5. BRAZEN - He has a seared conscience (1 Tim.4:2) and has got over the
problem of exaggerating a little here and there. He's now into major lying and sometimes
seems to believe his own story, he is so brazen. This fox will look you in the eyes so
intently that you doubt your doubts.
6. WORKS THE CROWDS - Once he gets the opportunity to speak to your
church or conference he is in his element, like a fish (a slimey one at that) in water.
Like a top motivational speaker he will have your congregation in fits of laughter, tears
of sadness and bursts of praises. Every now and then he might glance in the direction of
the pastor or other leaders, just to check that they are suitably impressed with his
performance.
7. APPEALS FOR MONEY - Somehow the audience (or leadership) is so
touched that they will respond without any hesitation to his heart-rending appeal for
money, for the extension of the Kingdom of course. He is usually adept and giving the
impression that not a cent is for him, everything will go towards the cause of Christ.
8. DISAPPEARS - Just as he arrived out of nowhere he suddenly
disappears and it's difficult to contact him again. Conmen vary at this point. If you've
shown no suspicion he'll be around as long as possible to "milk" your
congregation and use your good name to drop at the next place, which you may have
unwittingly directed him to.
HOW TO CHECK HIM OUT
Though 1Cor 13:7 says that "love believes all things" we are
also commanded to test the spirits and look out for wolves in sheep's clothing. The
`hit-and-run' conman knows this and will do his best to pacify any suspicions and complete
his mission as quick as possible, before you have time to test his fruit. Some helpful
tips to recognise the Christian conman:
- Ask him about his past and note all the details. If he speaks of where he has just been,
then contact them and enquire politely about his track record. But be careful they might
be completely duped and will have nothing but praise about him.
- Does he mostly talk about himself and continually refer to his great achievements (or
his shocking sins before conversion)? The focus of attention is on him and not Jesus and
His glory.
- Instead of being ashamed of the things he has done he gives the distinct impression that
he is impressed with his own record of appalling sin. He boasts in his shame.
- If he makes certain claims (like the doctorates or MBA's he has) check them out. Phone
the university or institution and ask questions.
- Above all, pray that the Lord would give you discernment and protect you from being
bluffed. You don't want to be paranoid and overly suspicious but you need to protect your
flock.
- Is he consistent in his story? Listen to him when he tells his story to someone else. As
cunning as he may be he will usually forget part of his own story and change it to suit
the circumstances. When he contradicts himself then don't ignore it, check him out. Phone,
do a search on the Internet (however don't believe everything on the Web), talk to your
colleagues, anything that the Lord leads you to do.
As Christians we need not feel bad or condemned if we first check him
out. When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water he said: "Lord, if it is You, command
me to come to You on the water." (Matthew 14:28). So when we see some tell tale
signs, we can ask the Lord if he is in this thing or not. Furthermore we are told in 1
John 4 verse 1: "not to believe every spirit but to test the spirits, whether they
are of God."
(to index)
--o0o--
BODY MODIFICATION –
PART 3
What does the Bible say?
* "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead,
nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." (Leviticus 19:28)
"Throughout history the tattoo bears the mark of paganism,
demonism, Baal worship, shamanism, mysticism, heathenism, cannibalism etc.
"The tattoo has NEVER been associated with Bible Believing
Christians. And whenever and wherever, in history Christianity appears tattoos disappear.
The only exception is recent, lukewarm, carnal, disobedient, Laodicean Christians.
Christ's piercing for us
"He was pierced for our iniquities". (Isaiah 53:5)
No self-inflicted injury is necessary.
He has paid the Redemption price.
Christ has inscribed, or 'tattooed' you on His hands. (Is 49:16)
Christ's victory over death
"Christ's death and resurrection gives us life.
The tattoo culture is obsessed with death.
Christ's victory over hell
"And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on
him was Death, and Hell followed with him…". (Revelation 6:8)
"Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for
the devil and his angels". (Matthew 25:41)
Tattoos are preoccupied with death, hell and the flames of hell.
Christ's victory over the devil
"And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the
Devil, and Satan, and bound…" (Revelation 12:9)
"Neither give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:27)
His mark forever
Revelation 7:2-3: "…till we have sealed the servants of our
God on their foreheads."
Revelation 14:1: "And I looked, and, lo, a lamb stood on the mount
Sion, …, having his Father's name written on their foreheads.
(to index)
--o0o--
FROM THE CFT PRESIDENT
My dear friends
One of the many things for which I thank God is that I hardly know what
loneliness is. Even in my very busy life before with many people around me, I still had
hours where I had to be alone to get work done. That didn't bother me at all.
There are however times of what I call 'special loneliness'. Yesterday
evening, I experienced one of those. Such times have two sides to them; heaviness, and
then relief.
Earlier on, Kjell and his daughter, Jerusha, had paid us a visit, and
we had lovely fellowship, song and prayer with the rest of the family. As Kjell and
Jerusha left and others disappeared into other rooms, I suddenly felt very lonely.
With all the practical problems that accompany my nights, I find it
difficult to look forward to sleeping. But what do I do when my hands and fingers refuse
to play along as I try to communicate with you? That added to the loneliness.
Even with assistance, standing up is becoming more difficult. Sometimes
I dread the time when I am forced to stand up. I try not to dwell on the question of what
further complications muscle weakness has in store. Yesterday evening, I realised again
how dysfunctional my body had become, and it wasn't a nice feeling.
After Lindiwe and Annegret had helped me to bed, I knew I had to speak
to the Lord in a special way. How thankful I am that with my normal speech gone and my
computer shut down God still understands every word I say! Sometimes I can't say much, but
He hears my deepest yearnings.
In the stillness and darkness of the night I heard Him answer me. It
wasn't just a feeling, but I knew He was there. In fact, I felt like He was reminding me
that He had always been there. Yes I was alone, but 'alone with Him'. I must have fallen
asleep in His arms.
The Lord must have delight in seeing His children seek His face
continually. In fact, He wants us to fix our eyes on Him.
" Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our
faith" (Hebrews 12:2)
This experiece reminded me of the beautiful song by Harriet B Stowe,
"Still, still with Thee, when purple morning breaketh,
When the bird waketh, and the shadows flee;
Fairer than morning, lovelier than daylight,
Dawns the sweet consciousness, I am with Thee.
Alone with Thee, amid the mystic shadows,
The solemn hush of nature newly born;
Alone with Thee in breathless adoration,
In the calm dew and freshness of the morn..."
Such joys are not bound to any specific time of the day, because He's
always there.
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the LORD is
in this place, and I was not aware of it." (Genesis 28:16)
Pressing on!
In His love
Fano
(to index)
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