RIGHTEOUSNESS – 4

RAISING A STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – (b)

• Isaiah 59:19 – So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will LIFT UP A STANDARD AGAINST HIM.

STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

The Lord is in the process of raising A STANDARD. It is a STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS and TRUTH.

DECEPTION and lies (Continued from Part A)

Jesus said that deception would get worse and worse. Let’s consider what is actually happening these days.

• 2 Timothy 3:13 – But evil men and DECEIVERS (impostors; seducers; swindlers and scammers; evil people who pretend to be who they are not; cheaters; some of them will teach a false message and people will believe their lies; charlatans; pretenders; those who fool other people) will grow WORSE AND WORSE, DECEIVING AND BEING DECEIVED.

RAMPANT DECEPTION IS EVERYWHERE

       People think they are being cool to impersonate, mimic a persons’ voice, what they look like, and even fabricate lies about them, or for them that are not really true. They can convincingly make it seem very true by lip syncing words, and making it sound like a person said things that they didn’t say, and post it for the world to see. They think their narratives are legitimate when they aren’t actually real, but fake. They assume that their made-up stories of fiction from their imagination are acceptable when used for entertainment purposes, or in promoting and advancing their causes. However, these are often misleading. Sometimes slanderous and mean lies are being said about a person or for a person, only for people to find out later on that they were just doing that for “entertainment” – after great damage to reputation and character has been done.

• Proverbs 16:18-20 – Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, ¹⁹ Is the man who DECEIVES his neighbor, and says, “I was only joking!”
• Jeremiah 9:5 – Everyone will DECEIVE his neighbor, and will NOT SPEAK THE TRUTH;They have taught their tongue to SPEAK LIES…

  Some people think that by just imagining that they are somebody different than who God made them to be actually makes them that kind of a person. They act accordingly, and believe that lie about themselves and others. Confusion of sexes is rampant. The Bible says that is an abomination to the Lord. Surgery does not change the DNA of who a person really is.

DECEPTION WARFARE

Some nations actually use DECEPTION as their strategy for warfare.

• Special note: As compared to the way Jesus makes war – “in RIGHTEOUSNESS He judges and makes war…” (Revelation 19:11).

DISBELIEVING THE TRUTH, AND THE ONLY TRUE GOD

Some think that everything is relative, and believe whatever they want to, whether it is TRUE OR NOT. They think there are no absolutes of TRUTH. They choose not to believe in God, or the inspiration of Scripture. They do not believe that God is the Creator, and accept Darwinism, and the lies about evolution. They call evil good, and good evil, and consider that to be acceptable and right.

Some deceptively say that all paths lead to God, whether cults or false religions, regardless. They promote false teachings and prophets, and deny that salvation only comes through Jesus. They deny that there is only 1 true and living God, and that Jesus actually came in the flesh, lived, died on the cross, and rose again. New age teachings that are acceptant of all religions are very popular and widely promoted, but very DANGEROUS AND DECEPTIVE. There is a mixture of truth and error, which brings CONFUSION AND DECEPTION.

Special note: The following Scriptures remind us of the TRUTH, and warnings about falling into DECEPTION.

• Jeremiah 10:10 – But the Lord is THE TRUE GOD; He is THE LIVING GOD and the everlasting King.
• I Timothy 3:15 – I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD, the pillar and ground of THE TRUTH.
• Acts 4:12 – Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
• John 14:6 – John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, THE TRUTH, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
• Romans 1:18,25 – …the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and UNRIGHTEOUSNESS of men, who SUPPRESS THE TRUTH in unrighteousness… who exchanged THE TRUTH OF GOD for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator… but to those who are self-seeking and DO NOT OBEY THE TRUTH, but OBEY UNRIGHTEOUSNESS—indignation and wrath…

WHAT IS TRUTH?

Pilate asked Jesus “what is TRUTH?” (John 18:28). In the presence of TRUTH Pilate didn’t seem to recognize it. Today, many are asking that same question. They are not cognizant of the TRUTH because they reject God and the Bible, and aren’t looking to the source of TRUTH for the answers. They have no foundation of TRUTH, because they do not believe in God or the Bible, but instead believe the LIES OF THE DEVIL. Basing our belief system on LIES is a shaky foundation, that does not stand up over time when exposed to the LIGHT OF TRUTH.

WE REAP WHAT WE SOW

  Many don’t walk in the FEAR OF GOD. The Bible teaches that what we sow, we will also reap. They think that can do anything they want to do, and that there will be no consequences. They don’t realize we will be judged by God our Creator.  We not only need to give account for our actions and speech, but reap the consequences for those things we have said and done.

• Jeremiah 25:14-16 – …I will repay (recompense) them according to their deeds (the work of their own hands).
• Galatians 6:7 – DO NOT BE DECEIVED, God is not mocked; for whatever a man SOWS, that he will also REAP.

Special note: What we should want to plant in our lives are things that are pleasing to the Lord, and live righteously, in the reverent fear of God.

DISILLUSIONMENT

     These days people get dumbed-down and weary of ALL THE CONFUSION everywhere. They don’t know where to turn for the TRUTH, because the DECEPTION AND CORRUPTION is so deep-seated and wide-spread. There is so much false, make-believe and artificial virtual reality these days. In the movies, social media and on the internet DECEPTION is spreading like wildfire. As time goes on, people don’t know what to believe, and many become wearied in their search for truth. They think everything is sketchy. They are tempted NOT TO BELIEVE ANYTHING, or anybody – even things that are TRUE!

A LACK OF MORAL STANDARDS       

There is a prominent false religion that believes that anything that benefits their cause is legitimate, whether it is TRUE OR NOT. This not only includes lying, but stealing, killing, or whatever. They think that killing Christians pleases God, and earns them great rewards in heaven.

LIES

There are many who choose to believe LIES and FAKE narratives about vaccines, chemo, chem trails, pharmaceutical procedures, media hype, or whatever. Dangerous and destructive, deadly poisons are promoted as something good and helpful to take, when they are actually bad and destructive. Things that are good and helpful are scornfully rejected as things that are bad.

FALSE treaties among nations are being made with some parties not intending to keep their promises – just to temporarily gain advantage, but breaking their promises. There are some who say they will do something, without ever intending to keep their word of promise. There is much cover up, and non-disclosure of TRUTH.

Among some politicians “rap-up-scamming” is practiced. This is where they intentionally and purposefully merchandise LIES. It is part of their strategy. They make up something that is a LIE that smears someone’s name and reputation. Then they get media to publish the FAKE NEWS. They report and repeat it enough so that after a while people believe it, or at least get inoculated to it and accept the LIE.

• Special note: AS CHRISTIANS OUR WORD SHOULD BE GOLDEN. We need to do what we say we will do, and uphold and exonerate TRUTHFULNESS.

• Proverbs 14:25 – A TRUE witness delivers souls, but a DECEITFUL witness SPEAKS LIES.

PHARMAKEIA

This is a Greek word that refers to sorcery, witchcraft, or the use of drugs for magical or harmful purposes. Its root is linked to the modern word “pharmacy” Deceptive practices involving potions, spells, and illicit spiritual practice (rather than legitimate medicinal uses). It is listed alongside other “works of the flesh,” such as idolatry and hatred, and is associated with DECEPTION and rebellion against God (Galatians 5:20; Revelation 18:23).

• Revelation 18:23 – For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery (“PHARMAKEIA”) all the nations were DECEIVED.

DISCERNMENT

Let’s pray for great discernment these days. Jesus said that conditions would get so bad at the end that there was a possibility of the elect (God’s chosen people) being DECEIVED.

• Matthew 24:24 – For FALSE christ’s and FALSE prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders TO DECEIVE, if possible, even the elect.
• Proverbs 15:21 – Folly is joy to him who is destitute of DISCERNMENT, But a man of understanding walks UPRIGHTLY (RIGHTEOUSLY).
• Philippians 1:9 – And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and ALL DISCERNMENT…

THE DEVIL IS A “DECEIVER”

DECEPTION is not a good thing. It is THE WAY OF THE DEVIL, not the way of Jesus. The end result is disappointing, damaging, and destructive.  It is NOT the way of life. It is the way of death.

• Revelation 12:0 …So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who DECEIVES the whole world…
• Genesis 3:13 – And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent DECEIVED me, and I ate.”
• I Timothy 2:14 – …the woman being DECEIVED, fell into transgression.
• 2 Corinthians 11:3 – I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent DECEIVED Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
• Revelation 20:10 – The devil, who DECEIVED them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone
  • Special note: Obviously, we see in Scripture that DECEPTION AND LIES ARE ACTIVITIES OF THE DEVIL. It is the opposite of the TRUTH. Jesus is the way of TRUTH.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 – The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, ¹⁰ and with all UNRIGHTEOUS DECEPTION among those who perish, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH, that they might be saved. ¹¹ And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should BELIEVE THE LIE.

SELECT SCRIPTURES ABOUT DECEPTION

• 2 Thessalonians 2:3 – Let no one DECEIVE you by any means,,,
•  Matthew 24:4,11-12  And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one DECEIVES you…. ¹¹ many false prophets will rise up and DECEIVE MANY. ¹² And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold….
• Luke 21:8 – And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived.
• I Corinthians 6:8-10 – Do you not know that the UNRIGHTEOUS will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be DECEIVED. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
  • Special note: UNRIGHTEOUSNESS is linked with DECEPTION.
• I Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be DECEIVED: “Evil company corrupts good habits (manners).”
• Galatians 6:3,7 – …if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he DECEIVES himself… Do not be DECEIVED, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
• Ephesians 5:6 – Let no one DECEIVE you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
• Colossians 2:4 – this I say lest anyone should DECEIVE you with persuasive words.
• Titus 1:10 – …there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and DECEIVERS, 
• James 1:16 – Do not be DECEIVED, my beloved brethren.
• James 1:26 – If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but DECEIVES his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
• I John 1:8 – If we say that we have no sin, we DECEIVE ourselves, and the TRUTH is not in us.
• I John 2:26 – These things I have written to you concerning those who try to DECEIVE you.
• I John 3:27 – Little children, let no one DECEIVE you. He who practices RIGHTEOUSNESS is RIGHTEOUS, just as He is RIGHTEOUS.
• 2 John 1:7 – For many DECEIVERS have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a DECEIVER and an antichrist.
• Revelation 13:14 – And he DECEIVES those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
• Revelation 20:3,8,10 – and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should DECEIVE the nations no more till the thousand years were finished… 8 and will go out to DECEIVE the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea… The devil, who DECEIVED them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

RAISING A STANDARD OF TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

The Spirit of God is raising a STANDARD. It is according to HIS STANDARDS. His STANDARDS are revealed in the Bible, which is the “SCRIPTURE OF TRUTH” (Daniel 10:21).

• Psalm 19:9 – The FEAR OF THE LORD is clean, enduring forever; The JUDGMENTS of the Lord are TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS altogether.
• Isaiah 28:17 – Also I will make JUSTICE the measuring line, And RIGHTEOUSNESS the plummet (mason’s level; plumb line; standard; balance; to make it straight); leveling tool); The hail will sweep away the refuge of LIES, And the waters will overflow the;  hiding place.

SELECT SCRIPTURES ABOUT THE TRUTH

• Revelation 19:11 – Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and IN RIGHTEOUSNESS He judges and makes war.

TRUTH sets us free from error and DECEPTION

• John 8:31-32,36 – Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. ³² And you shall know the TRUTH, and THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.”
  • Special note: What does the TRUTH make us free from? It makes us free from DECEPTION and the LIES of our enemy!

God is the source of TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

• Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 32:4 – And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and TRUTH… all His ways are JUSTICE, A God of TRUTH and WITHOUT INJUSTICE; RIGHTEOUS AND UPRIGHT is He.
  • Special note: It is interesting to see the connection between TRUTH and RIGHTEOUSNESS, and GOD is the source of them.

MORE SELECTED SCRIPTURES ABOUT THE TRUTH IN THE NEXT POST- (The following statements to be continued, as found in the Bible …)

• We are BLESSED IN THE GOD OF TRUTH.
• We need to FEAR GOD, and SERVE HIM IN TRUTH.
• TRUTHFUL SPEECH brings delight to the Lord, but lying lips are an abomination to Him.
• TRUTH and RIGHTEOUSNESS are our protection, and part of our SPIRITUAL ARMOR.
• The SCRIPTURE IS TRUE.
• THE HOLY SPIRIT is the SPIRIT OF TRUTH, and the fruit of the Spirit is TRUTH.
• We must WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH.
• A NATION is far from RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUSTICE when TRUTH FAILS.
• A RIGHTEOUS NATION KEEPS THE TRUTH.
• ETC…

A NATION is far from RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUSTICE when TRUTH FAILS.

•  Isaiah 59:14,15 – JUSTICE is turned back, And RIGHTEOUSNESS stands afar off; For TRUTH is fallen in the street, And EQUITY cannot enter. So TRUTH fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. Then the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him that there was NO JUSTICE.
• Jeremiah 7:28 – ‘This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the Lord their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth.
• Jeremiah 9:3 – “And like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me,” says the Lord.

A RIGHTEOUS NATION KEEPS THE TRUTH

• Special note: Our theme for this series of teachings is RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION (Proverbs 14:34)! A RIGHTEOUS NATION IS TRUTHFUL!
• Isaiah 26:2 – Open the gates, That the RIGHTEOUS NATION which keeps the TRUTH may enter in.

We should AGREE WITH THE TRUTH when it is heard.

• Isaiah 43:9 – Let all the NATIONS be gathered together, and let the people be assembled… Let them bring out their witnesses, that they may be JUSTIFIED; Or let them hear and say, “It is TRUTH“.

A STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUTH

As mentioned, the Lord is raising a STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS and TRUTH in the land. It is found in the Bible. That is why a study of these Scriptures are so helpful, and they need to be proclaimed.

• Isaiah 59:19 – So shall they FEAR THE NAME OF THE LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will LIFT UP A STANDARD AGAINST HIM.
• Isaiah 49:22 – Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I will lift My hand in an oath to the nations, and SET UP MY STANDARD for the peoples…
  • Special note: The STANDARD the Lord is raising in these last days of gross darkness, is a STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, LIGHT, and TRUTH.
• Jeremiah 50:2 – “Declare AMONG THE NATIONS, Proclaim, and SET UP A STANDARD; Proclaim—do not conceal it…