A Few Thoughts About Deception

Deception

B1 Defined:

C1 the act of causing someone to believe an untruth, or the state of being so deceived. (Source)

C2 For better or worse, here is a Wikipedia article on Deception.

D3 Why Do People Lie? (non-Christian but gives a nice summary).

B2 Effects of deception

C1 A classic on deception is Propaganda by Edward Bernays (PDF).

C2 Effects as abuse, control (no freedom), stealing, pain, even death.

What God teaches

B1 A solemn warning: Matthew 24:4 WEL Jesus answering said to them, “Beware that no one deceives you.

B2 God’s comment on Jeremiah living in a society of liars: Jeremiah 9:6 NIV You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me," declares the LORD.

B3 Lies disguised as smooth and flattering speech: Romans 16:18 GW People like these are not serving Christ our Lord. They are serving their own desires. By their smooth talk and flattering words they deceive unsuspecting people.

B4 A person’s source of deception: Jeremiah 17:9 GNB Who can understand the human heart? There is nothing else so deceitful; it is too sick to be healed.

B5 As punishment, God will send deception. Since they do and want deception, God gives to them. They reject truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 EMTV And because of this, God will send them strong delusion, in order for them to believe the lie.

B6 People can lie with persuasive arguments: Colossians 2:1-4 EMTV For I want you to know how great a struggle I have concerning you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being joined together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to a full knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 Now this I say lest anyone may deceive you with persuasive words.

B7 Some find joy in deception (just because they can): Proverbs 26:19 LEB so is a man who deceives his neighbor, but says "Am I not joking?

B8 The way a person looks, dresses, acts, etc. can be deceiving: Proverbs 31:30 LEB Charm is deceit and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh shall be praised.

B9 Yes, trusted religious leaders can lie: Matthew 24:11 NASB Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

B10 A person’s countenance can be deceptive: Proverbs 26:26 NKJV Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

B11 Often deception comes from ignorance: Matthew 22:29 EMTV Jesus answered and said to them, "You err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.

B12 The time may come when lies are so rampant, we are not to trust our neighbor. Jeremiah 9:3-5 NLT My people bend their tongues like bows to shoot out lies. They refuse to stand up for the truth. They only go from bad to worse. They do not know me," says the LORD. 4 "Beware of your neighbor! Don't even trust your brother! For brother takes advantage of brother, and friend slanders friend. 5 They all fool and defraud each other; no one tells the truth. With practiced tongues they tell lies; they wear themselves out with all their sinning.

B13 Sin deceives then hardens the heart. The hardening happens because the evil is believed so strongly. Hebrews 3:13 EMTV but encourage yourselves every day, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

B14 Contrast Jesus who never lied. He still never lies, which is why we understand, read, and study the Bible in its plain, normal sense. 1 Peter 2:22 EMTV Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth.

B15 A denial of reality—I am a good person. 1 John 1:8 EMTV If we claim that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

B16 It is good to be a little skeptical: Proverbs 14:8 NLT The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.

B17 Employment lying. This be might the quality of work, the amount of work, or the amount of time it took to work: Proverbs 11:18 NIV A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

B18 There are many spiritual ways of deception: Jeremiah 29:8 NIV Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.

B19 A cheating merchant is a liar/deceiver. He lies in the amount bought or in the price: Proverbs 20:17 NIV Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

B20 Deception to hurt, manipulate, defraud. The defraud can be in finance, sex, adoration, control, etc. Jeremiah 9:8 NIV Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully. With their mouths they all speak cordially to their neighbors, but in their hearts they set traps for them.

B21 Some people believe themselves to be spiritually safe by reading a Bible verse and agreeing with it but not living it. James 1:22 EMTV But become doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

B22 The people we associate with affect us. This would include groups, organizations, memberships. 1 Corinthians 15:33 EMTV Do not be deceived: "Evil associations corrupts good habits.

B23 Deny the deity of Jesus Christ: 2 John 1:7 EMTV Because many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and the antichrist.

The method

B1 Teach the truth for a while, say 6-9 months.

B2 After that slowly bring in one falsity.

B3 When that lie has been accepted, introduce another falsity.

B4 Slowly change the definitions from common definitions to a very specialized definition.

B5 Act very holy at all times.

B6 Be very friendly.

B7 Note those who believe your every word and make them your “best” friends. Marginalize the others.

B8 Bring in “big name” speakers who believe like you do. Then promote their books.

B9 Discourage people from checking out if what you say is true. Accuse them of being divisive.

B10 Slowly change the rules, constitute, by laws, etc. to give you more authority and power.

Avoidance

B1 Know what truth is:

B2 Be a little skeptical.

B3 Study truth.

B4 Believe truth.

B5 Practice truth.

B6 Pray for God to keep us in truth: Proverbs 30:8 ISV Keep deception and lies far away from me, and give me neither poverty nor wealth. Feed me with food that I need for today.

B7 Teach the truth to others: Ephesians 4:11-13 ISV And it is he who gifted some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, and still others to be pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints, to do the work of ministry, and to build up the body of the Messiah 13 until all of us are united in the faith and in the full knowledge of God's Son, and until we attain mature adulthood and the full standard of development in the Messiah.

Sources:

B1 Knowing Jesus Com on Deception

B2 Scripture Twisting Methods of the Cults

1 Timothy 4:1-5

B1 Warning of Apostasy

C1 This is for the latter times

D1 End of the church age

D2 Just before the Tribulation. The Tribulation period itself is one of complete apostasy of government, religion, and society. Only God can save.

D3 Society falls apart

D4 Like the days of Noah and the times of Sodom and Gomorrah

E1 The sins of society are NOT any special sins.

E2 They are the breaking of God’s Commandments as summarized in the 10 Commandments.

E3 Every law is broken in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

E4 Truth changes from the correspondence theory (reality) to the Narcissistic theory (what I say is truth, is truth).

E5 Genesis 15:16 NRSV And they shall come back here in the fourth generation; for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete."

F1 Punishment does happen. We don’t know when.

F2 God is very patient. He wants all to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

C2 Characteristics of those times

D1 Depart from the faith—leaving the Gospel and doctrine as taught by the Lord Jesus and the Apostles.

E1 Steps in apostasy

F1 Truth is the first thing to be changed.

F2 Then Bible interpretation becomes everything except the plain, normal sense.

F3 Then the Gospel is corrupted or neglected. Works or something else become necessary.

F4 Then the doctrine of God, the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are changed.

F5 Christianity departs from evidence and a reasonable faith to one of experience and mysticism.

E2 Becoming deceived

F1 The method: charisma, philosophy, empty deceit. Colossians 2:8 AMPC See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men's ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah).

F2 Comes from spiritual ignorance: Matthew 22:29 NRSV Jesus answered them, "You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God.

F3 True sets one free from deception. We must start with truth/reality. John 8:31-32 WEL Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “If you continue in my teaching, you are truly my disciples, 32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

D2 Liars are rampant.

E1 These teachings come from liars whose consciences are seared. They just don’t care anymore about God’s truth in its plain, normal sense.

E2 The devil, hating God, uses lies for his teaching. God, loving truth, uses truth to teach the truth.

E3 Claim to be spokes-persons for God. Jeremiah 14:14-15 GNB But the LORD replied, "The prophets are telling lies in my name; I did not send them, nor did I give them any orders or speak one word to them. The visions they talk about have not come from me; their predictions are worthless things that they have imagined. 15 I, the LORD, tell you what I am going to do to those prophets whom I did not send but who speak in my name and say war and starvation will not strike this land—I will kill them in war and by starvation.

E4 Use the same words and terminology with different meanings/definitions.

D3 A seared conscience is one in which truth is suppressed and pushed aside.

E1 Romans 1:18 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

E2 Often we believe false teachers because we become deceived and sear our conscience as well.

F1 James 1:22 NIV Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

F2 Sometimes we think everything is wonderful, we are strong Christians, and we have arrived at spiritual maturity. But, in reality, we are in terrible shape. Revelation 3:17-18 GNB You say, 'I am rich and well off; I have all I need.' But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind. 18 I advise you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy also some ointment to put on your eyes, so that you may see.

E3 We need to live a life in truth/reality.

F1 Psalm 86:11 NKJV Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

G1 God loves to teach.

G2 We must acknowledge our ignorance and need to be taught.

G3 Just being taught by God (reading and studying the Scriptures) is not enough. We must live it continually and in private and public.

G4 Walk is our daily life.

G5 Unite as in undivided motives, attitudes, thoughts, words, and deeds.

G6 Our heart is the core of our being. We are not to be hypocrites.

F2 1 John 1:6 ISV If we claim that we have fellowship with him but keep living in darkness, we are lying and not practicing the truth.

F3 James 1:23-25 GW If someone listens to God's word but doesn't do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, 24 studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 However, the person who continues to study God's perfect teachings that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don't merely listen and forget; they actually do what God's teachings say.

D4 Turning to seducing spirits and teachings of demons. Leaving truth.

E1 Lifestyle is determined by whatever a person decides.

E2 The plain, normal sense of Scripture becomes changed to one of “spiritual interpretation.” Doctrine and messages come from meeting God(?) in The Silence. The people are deceived to think it is Yahweh who gives these messages, but the messages come from the false. 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 CSB For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

D5 Lies and hypocrisy

E1 What these false teachers say and do are not the same.

E2 They love to cover up and hide what they really believe and do.

E3 Many fake pastors hide various abuses and financial documents from the faithful.

D6 Conscience seared—people do all these evil things and do not feel any guilt.

D7 Forbid marriage.

D8 Teach the necessity to avoid certain foods.

E1 This refers to foods not related to health, but to progress spiritually. Some teach that Christians must follow the dietary laws outlined in the Old Testament. If someone wants to follow those laws, so be it, but if they teach it is spiritually necessarily for the Christian, it is false teaching. I am a Christian not a Jew. God bless the Jews.

E2 The truth is Christians can eat. The reason? God created these foods to be partaken with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. So, if a teacher teaches the necessity of not eating something for spiritual reasons, they are teaching lies. Beware! We have been warned.

E3 These foods are spoken by the Holy Spirit to be good and not to be refused. We are to be thankful for them, when we eat any food.

E4 These foods are sanctified.

F1 Because God said so.

F2 Because of prayer.

E5 We can also worship on Sunday or any other day: Colossians 2:16-17 WEL So then don't let anyone condemn you in food, drink, religious festivals, new moon, or the Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of things to come, but the real substance is Christ.

E5 A link about Torah observance by Jews for Jesus.

C3 Resources:

D1 Last Days Apostasy of the Church Andy Woods This is a 6-part series.

D2 1 Timothy 4:1 The Church of the Apostasy -1 W A Criswell

D3 1 Timothy 4:1 The Church of the Apostasy -2 W A Criswell

C4 Questions

D1 How is a person deceived?

D2 What makes the last days a time of greater deception?

D3 How can we avoid deception?

D4 What is our standard for living the Christian life?

1 Timothy 3:14-16

B3 Reasons for church conduct

C1 Paul wants to come, see them, fellowship with them, teach them, but until then, he wishes for Pastor Timothy to know the importance of Christian conduct. This is how we live our Christian life.

C2 God’s household

D1 This is God’s family. This is Christians (people who have believed).

E1 Ephesians 2:19 CSB So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God's household.

E2 God is the Father, for we are born again. John 1:12 NIV Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

E3 God’s family has rules. Here are a few:

F1 Romans 12:1-2 NIV Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

F2 Colossians 3:5-8

F3 James 1:19-20

F4 Philippians 3:18-19

F5 Hebrews 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

F6 Consider this list. Galatians 5:18-26

D2 We learn from this that our fellow Christians are family members with us. We are together as a family in God’s family.

C3 We are not together for a similar purpose, reason, or goal, but we are together as a family. Our father is God the Father. Our brother is Jesus, God the Son. Our comforter and guide is God the Holy Spirit.

C4 The church is to be the light in this world in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. We are to honor God by obeying His rules in the New Testament.

C5 Our religion is a mystery to the unsaved. Bridgeway Bible Dictionary on mystery: In New Testament usage, a mystery is not a puzzle or a secret that leaves people in ignorance, but a truth that God reveals. It usually refers to something that people normally would not know, but that God in his grace makes known to them (Eph 3:4-5; Col 1:26; Rev 17:7). The truths concerning salvation through Jesus Christ are mysteries in this sense. People could not work them out by themselves, but God who planned salvation from eternity reveals them (Rom 16:25-26; 1Ti 3:9, 16).

C6 The Lord Jesus was revealed in the flesh. He is the God/man.

D1 Many translations foul this Scripture. Wilbur Pickering PhD states in his Bible notes: Instead of 'God', 1% of the Greek manuscripts read 'who', and most modern versions follow this 1%. But 'who' is nonsensical (in the context), so most of them take evasive action: NEB and NASB have “he who”; Phillips has “the one”; NRSV, Jerusalem, TEV and NIV render “he.” Berkley actually has “who!” In the Greek Text the relative pronoun has no antecedent, so it is a grammatical 'impossibility', besides being a stupidity—what is so mysterious about someone being manifested in flesh? All human beings have bodies. The pronoun can be accounted for as an easy transcriptional error, a simple copying mistake, so why not stay with the 98.5%? “God was manifested in flesh”—now there you have a mystery!

D2 Jesus is 100% man and 100% God. This is the faith. See the Athanasian Creed.

D3 Justified in the Spirit. Jesus has been vindicated as sinless.

E1 Romans 1:3-4 ESV concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.

E2 Hebrews 9:14 CSB how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?

D4 Devotional:

1 Timothy 3:16 (F B Meyer. Our Daily Homily)

Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness.

It is more than likely that this is a fragment of one of the earliest hymns of the Church. In her hymns, and maintenance of the ordinances, she thus becomes the pillar and ground of the truth. The words “mystery of godliness” are probably a general heading which is further unfolded and expanded in the six following sentences, which may have been sung antiphonally:—

“God was manifest in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit. Seen of angels, Preached unto the Gentiles. Believed on in the world, Received up into glory.”

The Extremes of Manifestation. — The Eternal Word was manifested in the flesh. But it was not simply a physical manifestation; we cannot forget the descent of the Holy Spirit at his baptism, or the authentication of his words which the Spirit gave in signs and wonders, and convinced hearts, and converted lives.

The Extremes of Created Intelligence. — Angels worship Him; and Gentiles, sunk in heathen darkness, hear the story of his wondrous love. Jesus is the centre of all worlds: from heaven’s bright spaces they come to Him on the one hand; from earth’s dark sins they come on the other. In Him meet angels and men.

The Extremes of Space. — Glory is above: “He was received up into glory.” The world is but a speck, a mote in the beam of eternity. How great the space between the two! But the feet of our Emmanuel have trodden its low pavement, and He has now taken to Himself his former glory. Like Jacob’s ladder, He links earth with the throne of God.

B4 Applications

C1 There are to be pastors, deacons, and deaconesses.

C2 There are requirements in order to be one. Being a great business person or leader in society counts for nothing in God’s church.

C3 We must be consistent in our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

C4 We are a family. We are to love and live as a family. The house we live in is God’s house. This is not referring to communal living.

B5 Questions

C1 What is Christian conduct?

C2 What is the importance of consistency in the faith?

C3 What is mysterious about Christianity to non-Christians?

C4 What is the importance of “God with us?”

C5 How can God be manifest in the flesh?

A Few Thoughts About Father’s Day

Isaiah 38:19 GW Those who are living praise you as I do today. Fathers make your faithfulness known to their children.

The setting:

B1 Hezekiah was sick and dying. It was a sickness that leads to death.

B2 Hezekiah had no heir to the throne of Israel.

B3 The prophet Isaiah is delegated by God to give this message to Hezekiah, “The LORD tells you that you are to put everything in order because you will not recover. Get ready to die.”

B4 Hezekiah’s prayer to be healed.

B5 God promises to heal Hezekiah.

B6 God’s promises to Hezekiah.

Other translations of our verse:

B1 Isaiah 38:19 MKJV The living, the living, he shall praise You, as I do this day; the father shall make Your truth known to the sons.

B2 Isaiah 38:19 AB (a Septuagint version) The living shall bless You, as I also do; for from this day shall I beget children, who shall declare Your righteousness.

Some points:

B1 Hezekiah is as good as dead.

B2 He states that if he was dead that he could not praise God for answered prayer like those living on earth.

B3 He speaks that he will have children whom he can teach to fear and praise God.

Some applications:

B1 Fathers

C1 Love:

D1 In love and truth: 1 John 3:18 EMTV My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

D2 Does not provoke to anger: Ephesians 6:4 EMTV And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord.

D3 Everything done in love: 1 Corinthians 16:14 EMTV Let all that you do be done in love.

C2 Have compassion/pity: Psalms 103:13 HCSB As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

C3 Teach: Proverbs 1:8 GW My son, listen to your father's discipline, and do not neglect your mother's teachings.

C4 Encourage: 1 Thessalonians 2:11 EMTV as indeed you know how each one of you, as a father to his own children, we exhorted, and comforted you, and imploring you.

B2 God

C1 Loves:

D1 Greater love than any: John 3:16 EMTV For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

D2 Does not provoke anger. He calms: Psalms 46:9-10 CEV God brings wars to an end all over the world. He breaks the arrows, shatters the spears, and burns the shields. 10 Our God says, "Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me."

D3 In love and truth: 1 John 3:18 EMTV My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

C2 Has compassion/pity: Psalms 103:13 HCSB As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

C3 Teaches: John 5:20 EMTV For the Father loves the Son, and shows to Him all things which He Himself does; and greater works than these He will show Him, so that you may marvel.

C4 Concern for, so seeks for: Matthew 18:12-14 EMTV What do you think? If a certain man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains, and go and search for the one gone astray? 13 And if he happens to find it, assuredly I say to you that he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which did not go astray. 14 Thus it is not the will before your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

C5 Gives:

D1 Time/fellowship: 2 Corinthians 6:16 GW Can God's temple contain false gods? Clearly, we are the temple of the living God. As God said, "I will live and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people."

D2 Listening: Psalm 10:17 CEV You listen to the longings of those who suffer. You offer them hope, and you pay attention to their cries for help.

D3 GOOD gifts: Matthew 7:9-11 EMTV Or what man is there among you who, if his son should ask for bread, will give him a stone? And if he should ask for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, by how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Finally,

B1 We need to emulate God.

B2 God is the perfect Father.

B3 We need to study God’s relationships with His people.

Questions:

B1 How can I know how to be a good father?

B2 How important is spending time with our children important?

B3 What are the best ways to teach our children?

B4 How do we teach our children good character traits (as God has) and to avoid evil character traits?

Benjamin Watson video on Father’s Day 2020 (this is a Facebook video; you probably need to log in to view it):

https://www.facebook.com/BenjaminWatsonOfficial/videos/1426747247510763/  

1 Timothy 3:1-13

B1 God’s Undershepherds, His leaders

C1 Jesus is Supreme in the church: Ephesians 1:22-23 WEL He has put everything under his feet and given him to be the head of everything in the church, 23 Which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything of everything.

C2 Jesus is the supreme teacher and leader: Matthew 23:8-12 WEL But you are not to be addressed as Rabbi, because one is your Teacher, the Messiah, and you are all brothers. 9 “Do not address anyone as your “Father” on this earth, because one is your Father, who is in heaven. 10 “Also do not be addressed as “Teachers,” because one is your Teacher, the Messiah. 11 “Instead he who is greatest among you will be your servant. 12 “And whoever will exalt himself will be humbled, but he who will be humble will be exalted.

C3 Jesus’s rules/commands are supreme: John 14:15 WEL If you love me, obey my commandments.

C4 Jesus appoints the offices: Ephesians 4:11-12 WEL He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

C5 Jesus has plurality of elders in every church:

D1 Acts 14:23 WEL After they had chosen elders in every church and after praying with fasting, they committed them to the Lord on whom they had believed.

D2 Acts 20:17 WEL At Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

B2 Pastors, Deacons, and Deaconesses

C1 Qualifications

D1 A true believer (this is different than claiming to be a believer, for someone might be able to say or teach correct doctrine but their life is not matching the New Testament character and life of a real believer. For the characteristics of a true believer, please read 1 John).

D2 The following are what shows in a person’s life after salvation. I count 18 in the list. Another person may count differently.

E1 First grouping is character traits. These are desire, blameless, vigilant, self-controlled, good behavior, not quarrelsome, not greedy, gentle, not contentious, not covetous.

E2 Second is marital status. He is to be a one-woman man. He does not HAVE to be married, though.

E3 Third is abilities. He is to be hospitable, able to teach, and a good manager at home.

E4 Fourth is addictions. He is not to be addicted to wine. He is also not to be addicted to porn, gambling, drugs, sports, work, etc. It is the addiction that is evil. Addictions affect decisions and judgment.

E5 Fifth is the length of time he has been a Christian.

E6 Sixth is standing in society. He has to have a good reputation in society, with Christians, non-Christians, government, education, etc.

D3 Even though many might have these qualifications, if the calling of God is present, the person will show pastor-like desires and actions.

D4 William Barclay writes on the contrast between a faithful and unfaithful shepherd:

But, on the other hand, there was the unfaithful shepherd. The difference was this. A real shepherd was born to his task. He was sent out with the flock as soon as he was old enough to go; the sheep became his friends and his companions; and it became second nature to think of them before he thought of himself. But the false shepherd came into the job, not as a calling, but as a means of making money. He was in it simply and solely for the pay he could get. He might even be a man who had taken to the hills because the town was too hot to hold him. He had no sense of the height and the responsibility of his task; he was only a hireling.

Wolves were a threat to a flock. Jesus said of his disciples that he was sending them out as sheep in the midst of wolves (Matthew 10:16); Paul warned the elders of Ephesus that grievous wolves would come, not sparing the flock (Acts 20:29). If these wolves attacked, the hireling shepherd forgot everything but the saving of his own life and ran away. Zechariah marks it as the characteristic of a false shepherd that he made no attempt to gather together the scattered sheep (Zechariah 11:16). Carlyle's father once took this imagery caustically to his speech. In Ecclefechan they were having trouble with their minister; and it was the worst of all kinds of such trouble—it was about money. Carlyle's father rose and said bitingly: "Give the hireling his wages and let him go."

Jesus' point is that the man who works only for reward thinks chiefly of the money; the man who works for love thinks chiefly of the people he is trying to serve. Jesus was the good shepherd who so loved his sheep that for their safety he would risk, and one day give, his life.

C2 Responsibilities

D1 Preach the Gospel: 1 Corinthians 1:17 WEL For Christ didn't send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, not with wisdom in words lest the cross of Christ be ineffective.

D2 Read, exhort, and teach. The teaching would be teaching the Bible, doctrine, apologetics, and how to live Christian life: 1 Timothy 4:13 WEL Until I come apply yourself to reading [of Scripture], exhortation, and to teaching.

D3 Teach the doctrines of the faith: 1 Timothy 4:6 WEL If you remind the brethren of these things you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and good teaching to which you have carefully followed.

D4 Assist in the congregation’s direction in Christian life and outreach: 1 Peter 5:2 WEL Feed the flock of God, which is among you. Take the oversight voluntarily, not by being forced, not for money's sake but with a willing heart.

D5 Be examples. We have to live the same life we teach others to do: 1 Peter 5:3 WEL Do not lord it over God's heritage, but be examples to the flock.

D6 Practice shepherd leadership. This is seen in the example and life of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are many who say they provide this, but by their life, words, and actions are controlling. The controlling pastor is most likely a false convert to Christianity (Read 3 John about Diotrephes). 1 Peter 5:3 WEL Do not lord it over God's heritage, but be examples to the flock.

D7 Teach other qualified men: Acts 14:23 WEL After they had chosen elders in every church and after praying with fasting, they committed them to the Lord on whom they had believed.

D8 They need to use discernment: 2 John 1:10 WEL If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house, nor greet him.

C3 The qualifications for deacons and deaconesses are similar.

D1 Listed character traits: respectable, not deceitful, not addicted to substances, and not greedy for money.

D2 Spiritual traits: to know and fully believe the doctrines of the Christian faith in such a way to be consistent in their words and lifestyle.

D3 Also, they need to be tested (examined, evaluated) regarding their spiritual traits.

D4 A blessing from God for faithful service is boldness (to live and preach the Gospel) and respect from others (reputation).

D5 The example is Stephen in Acts 6-7.

C4 Questions

D1 What are pastors, deacons, and deaconesses?

D2 What are the qualifications?

D3 What is the greatest qualification?

D4 How can we know if one is qualified?

1 Timothy 2:8-15

B2 Encourage members

C1 8 Men

D1 What does God want the Christian man to do?

D2 God wants men to pray, not fight and argue.

E1 Prayer is having fellowship with God.

E2 Can we understand this as having a cup of coffee with a good friend to converse? That is fellowship, too.

E3 In prayer, we converse with God. Remember Adam and Eve.

F1 The principle of fellowship with God is in this verse. The creator (Jesus) was not seeking them for punishment but coming for fellowship: Genesis 3:8 NIV Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

F2 1 John 1:3 NIV We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

F3 See also Genesis 5:22-24, Isaiah 57:15, John 14:23, Revelation 21:3-4, etc.

D3 God wants men to pray, not doubt.

F1 Faith is important. Faith is believing God. This does not mean it is a guarantee that God will answer the way we wish, but that He does listen. He is the Counselor of all counselors.

F2 Prayer is not just our asking for things. It is also telling Him our joys, fears, concerns, problems, wonderful things that happened today, etc.

C2 9-15 Women

D1 What does God want from Christian women?

D2 Women’s clothing.

E1 Appropriate dress. Many rich women (and men) dressed in very expensive clothing meant to impress people.

E2 A quote: Sandra Glahn argues that in Greco-Roman society, braids, gold, pearls and expensive clothes were a mark of affluence, “associated with a person’s rank.”[1] This suggests that the women of Ephesus were entangled with the love of money (3:3; 6:5-10) and status, and this was evident in their arrogant attitudes and ostentatious attire. Paul distinguished good works as the apparel of those who worship God (2:10), in contrast to the ostentatious display of rank and wealth associated with idolatry. [2] (The next article on Artemis will provide explanation for Paul’s emphasis on apparel in worship). [Source]

E3 What men and women wear should be appropriate to worship God in His presence.

E4 These principles apply to men as well.

D3 Instead of investing in expensive clothes, etc., God wants women (and men) to invest in doing good, doing good not for salvation but to honor God.

E1 2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

E2 There are spiritual works like preaching the Gospel, encouraging other believers, praying for others, etc.

E3 There are practical works, too, like teaching, giving, helping a neighbor, visiting widows, etc.

E4 We act, dress, talk as we believe in our heart.

D4 About teaching (I’ve spoken about this in another article, so to summarize):

E1 Men teach, women teach, parents teach, pastors teach. We teach each other.

E2 Thus, a dictator, someone with supreme authority who is not to be questioned but obeyed.

E3 That TYPE of woman or man must not teach.

D5 Saved in childbirth. Please see this video Why Women Must Learn in Quietness and Submission Xenophon of Ephesus and 1 Timothy 2 (Gary Hoag). There is also a book Women in Ephesus.

Applications:

B1 Pray

B2 Pray for leaders and everyone else but especially for our Christian brothers and sisters.

B3 God wants all to be saved.

B4 Jesus is the ransom paid for all humans.

B5 Men are to pray and not argue and fight.

B6 We are not to have the love of money and flaunt our riches in the way we dress.

B7 A dictator type woman must not teach.

Questions:

B1 Why should we pray?

B2 What attitude should we have in prayer?

B3 How do our clothes express our beliefs?

B4 Why does God want fellowship with people?

B5 Why should we want fellowship with God?

B6 How do we fellowship with God?