Paul warns us many times in the New Testament to watch out for worldly Christians- Ephesians 5:11- And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. The world is sneaky. It's been creeping into churches slowly for years now.
Most recently, though, it has pushed it way in through a new system. This system requires that you find out what your community likes and incorporate it into your church. Churches all around have been doing this and seeing huge growth in their numbers. But, as the world moves in Christ moves out.
Christians through the ages have seen the end of such "christianity". Those who were faithfully serving God have invited the world into their lives, their families, their marriages, their businesses, and have become cursed of God, but they don't notice because the world has their arms wrapped tightly around them.
Think about New Orleans. What comes to mind? Mardis Gras? Bourbon Street? French Quarter? Some form of debauchery? When God thinks of most of these worldly churches or Christians that's what comes to mind- unfruitful works of darkness.
So, how do we spot the unfruitful works of darkness? We simply look to the wisest man to ever live and see what he said.
Proverbs 5:3-4- For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
Solomon describes the worldly person (or church) as a harlot. She is sweet talking and politically correct, but her end is painful and bitter.
Proverbs 3:5-6- Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
Her ways don't lead to life; they lead to hell. There isn't salvation in her motives, but a person who isn't really searching won't see it because she changes her stance based on what those around her want. Her views and convictions change.
Proverbs 7:6-10- For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
She wears the attire of an harlot. What is that? It's tricky because it changes based on the clientel. When you see a Christian that dresses one way going to church and then dresses another way out with friends you're looking at a worldly christian. When you see a church that uses one Bible and hymnbook for the "older generation" and then a different Bible and different sons for the "younger generation" you're looking at a worldly church.
Proverbs 7:11-12- (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
Seems like she's out finding out what the community wants so she can cater to them! She'll do anything to get into your life. She'll change what she has to until she has you- be it her attitude, her beliefs, her clothing, her personality, etc!
Proverbs 7:13-15- So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
She was searching for someone, and she found him! But notice something else- she paid her vows and has peace offerings- she's religious! The world can be religious, but it's an outward show. It looks real good on the outside, like a Pharisee, but when you get to the heart of the matter it's full of death!
Proverbs 7:21-23- With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
She talks him into joining with her. And he doesn't realize that it's his life that's being destroyed. Watch out for someone that always tells you what you want to hear! They do everything your way until you're stuck, then you realize they're dragging you into their worldly way of doing things and you can't get out.
If you have a friend (or pastor) that will tell you to your face that you're doing wrong, or with the wrong person, you better thank God! Cause they care for your soul!
Proverbs 7:25-27- Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
She takes pleasure in coming after those who are wounded (spiritually, emotionally, etc.). She takes a strong Christian and makes him an unprofitable worldly wretch that lives his life for her pleasure instead of God's service. She makes him a curse instead of a blessing.
Proverbs 5:8-11,20- Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger; And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
As a Christian we are earning rewards in heaven. When you go with the world, you're giving your treasure to a stranger. You're wealth and eternal riches go to the world, and you end up paying the consequences of your actions alone. This women doesn't stick around to help you out while you're suffering. Nope! She's gotten what she came for and your tears will go unnoticed by her, because she never really cared.
Why am I writing about this? Why do I feel that this is something that should even be brought up? Because it was important to Paul. It was important to Solomon. And it was important to Christ!
Proverbs 2:16-19- To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
Once she has you, she destroys you. It says none return again! None. Is that possible? What about grace? What about forgiveness? Solomon watched people- and he never saw any return. There are always exceptions to the rule, but they are very few and far between.
Did I make you mad? Did I hit home? Good! Then consider me a friend.
Proverbs 27:6- Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Watch out for the flattering lips of anyone around you. It could be a relative. It could be a business associate. It could even be a leader in your church. The devil has people everywhere! And they all have smooth speech, but will never let you see the dagger behind their back until it's too late!
