Nougat 6

I remember once hearing of a believer whose anointing was often very visible and audible. Nevertheless, when asked about a particular action that was most offensive to God, the believer is said to have responded that God’s Spirit comes and goes (probably like Saul’s when his jealousy manifested as schizophrenia). Is that really a thing still, or was the person, like Saul, operating under a different kind of spirit? As we consider today’s Holy Nougat, might we be alert to God’s Spirit within.

“Some will slither into households and control immature women who are burdened with sins and driven by all kinds of desires … These people oppose the truth in the same way that Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. Their minds are corrupt and their faith is counterfeit.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬, ‭8‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Counterfeit Faith

We should have figured that something anti-Christ-ian is in the mix with the word ‘slithered’. Slither has a serpentine feel that takes me back to the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 3, it was a talking serpent that shrewdly introduced Adam and Eve to act on the temptation offered by the fruit. Ever since, most people tend to associate snakes with evil. Word of individuals ‘slithering in’ to tempt women of ungrounded faith brings such thinking back.

The snake motif (theme) continues with even greater reference for Timothy, a Jew, as he would have heard and recited stories of the Exodus throughout his childhood. And the Hebrew midrash is where this story of Jannes and Jambres seems to have originated. My additional reading (Google and concordance) would propose that the men were two of the pharaoh’s magicians who used their own staffs to perform signs in Exodus 7. The first ‘sign’? – transforming a stick into a serpent!

Friends, siblings – The realm of the occult is real. No doubt about it. Some of us have been spared direct manifestations, and that is fine. But let’s recognize that our lack of experience of something doesn’t negate its existence. I have previously explained that the presence of the counterfeit is proof of the genuine and vice versa. As believers we acknowledge that God’s Spirit is real, and we further accept that the devil (Satan) is the enemy of our souls. Thus, we recognize that there are those who are completely and totally and intentionally souled out to Satan. And it was not only in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Such is the lure of the serpent’s invitation that others will seek recruits from among believers. It’s been the reality since the Garden and will remain until the End. Is that not why we are cautioned about the enemy’s disguise as an angel of light (see 2Corinthians 11:12-15)? Siblings/friends, as we move closer to the End, expect that many counterfeits will present themselves as the True Messiah.

We ought not be unduly worried for ourselves, as my banker friends assure me that we recognize counterfeits by becoming and remaining familiar with the genuine. While we hear other religions saying theirs is the one true faith, I’m not sure I’ve heard of others masquerading as other gods. I have definitely heard of others claiming to be the Messiah (Christ) and that also speaks to counterfeits.

So, we guard against those presenting counterfeit gospels by being extremely familiar with Jesus. Easy enough when we submit to Him and become as sheep who know the voice of our Shepherd. Reading and engaging God’s Word; Time with other believers, with an Active Prayer life – and we’re set.

Why settle for counterfeits when we personally have Jesus, the Real Deal?

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May all we seek be found in Christ