But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ (2Cor 11:3).
I am afraid that too many of us think the verse above cannot possibly apply to us. We would never be tricked like that, we think. Paul, speaking earlier in the epistle, states that he is not "ignorant of Satan's devices" (2:11). Unfortunately, despite our self-confidence, we often fall for his bait, hook, line, and sinker. Let me give you an example.
Many years ago, a young woman shared with me that her neighbor, who was a Wiccan, had invited her over for a meal. She had gone in order to get to know her better, and to learn about her beliefs with a desire to reach her, if possible. Fish, it seems, was on the menu, and her hostess had laid out the fish, stroked it with both hands, and then thanked the fish for giving its life to sustain hers. "Isn't that beautiful?" the young woman asked me, "and oh, so spiritual." As usual, finding the right thing to say did not occur when I needed it. In fact, it took a few years, but now I might wonder aloud why thanking God for our meals is less spiritual than thanking the fish or the cow or the pig or the chicken? Because that is who we are supposed to thank—God is the one who gave us those things. Warning of a coming heresy that would forbid certain foods, Paul tells us that our meals, even that same fish, God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving (1Tim 4:3-4), thanksgiving to God, that is.
It is not my intent to list the belief system of Wicca, but the Mother Goddess, nature, fertility, seasons, and the cycle of life are essential elements. That should immediately make a Christian's ears tingle. Of those sorts of beliefs Paul says, …they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen (Rom 1:25). The neighbor's actions were a perfect example of worshipping and serving the creature rather than the Creator. Although it will be presented as an almost hyper-spirituality, Paul says it is a lie. Yet that is how paganism, which is what Wicca is, has made deep inroads into our culture, even among Christians who should know better, who should be able to see past this false spirituality.
Wiccans are known to be peaceful, even harmless. But folks, they are deadly to our souls. Certainly, be friendly to your neighbors and strive to be an example and teacher of your faith as you serve their needs. But keep your eyes open and don't be taken in. Satan is not so stupid as to make them look like evil personified. He is simply reeling out a bait that looks delicious.
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds (2Cor 11:13-15).
Dene Ward
I am afraid that too many of us think the verse above cannot possibly apply to us. We would never be tricked like that, we think. Paul, speaking earlier in the epistle, states that he is not "ignorant of Satan's devices" (2:11). Unfortunately, despite our self-confidence, we often fall for his bait, hook, line, and sinker. Let me give you an example.
Many years ago, a young woman shared with me that her neighbor, who was a Wiccan, had invited her over for a meal. She had gone in order to get to know her better, and to learn about her beliefs with a desire to reach her, if possible. Fish, it seems, was on the menu, and her hostess had laid out the fish, stroked it with both hands, and then thanked the fish for giving its life to sustain hers. "Isn't that beautiful?" the young woman asked me, "and oh, so spiritual." As usual, finding the right thing to say did not occur when I needed it. In fact, it took a few years, but now I might wonder aloud why thanking God for our meals is less spiritual than thanking the fish or the cow or the pig or the chicken? Because that is who we are supposed to thank—God is the one who gave us those things. Warning of a coming heresy that would forbid certain foods, Paul tells us that our meals, even that same fish, God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving (1Tim 4:3-4), thanksgiving to God, that is.
It is not my intent to list the belief system of Wicca, but the Mother Goddess, nature, fertility, seasons, and the cycle of life are essential elements. That should immediately make a Christian's ears tingle. Of those sorts of beliefs Paul says, …they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen (Rom 1:25). The neighbor's actions were a perfect example of worshipping and serving the creature rather than the Creator. Although it will be presented as an almost hyper-spirituality, Paul says it is a lie. Yet that is how paganism, which is what Wicca is, has made deep inroads into our culture, even among Christians who should know better, who should be able to see past this false spirituality.
Wiccans are known to be peaceful, even harmless. But folks, they are deadly to our souls. Certainly, be friendly to your neighbors and strive to be an example and teacher of your faith as you serve their needs. But keep your eyes open and don't be taken in. Satan is not so stupid as to make them look like evil personified. He is simply reeling out a bait that looks delicious.
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds (2Cor 11:13-15).
Dene Ward
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