Tricked – Part II
Titus 3:8 – "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that
thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful
to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."
Last week we discussed how many of us WERE, and we say were because you’d
better not be there now, tricked into giving praise to the devil. This was done
through a familiar chant used at night clubs and parties: "Now throw your
hands in the air and wave them like you just don’t care."
We looked at the first part of this chant, "Now throw your hands in the
air" and showed you that Ephesians 2:2 clearly denotes satan as "the
prince of the power or the air." And if he is such, then by throwing your
hands in the air, you are giving him praise.
Well, this week we look at how this chant is double indemnity. Yes, it’s not
enough that the devil has to trick you into giving him praise, but he also has
to trick you into turning away from God. Now let’s look at the second part of
this chant carefully: "And wave them (your hands – praise offering to
satan) like you just don’t care." Or better yet, show God — put them in
his face — and then to top it all off, wave them like you don’t care.
This week’s text, was taken from a wonderful letter written by Paul to one
of his most entrusted helpers, Titus. Paul is giving Titus instructions so that
he (Titus) could complete what was left undone by Paul (Titus 1:5). During
these instructions he tells Titus this:
Titus 3:5-8 (Amplified Bible)
5: He (God) saved us, not
because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own
pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing of the new birth and renewing of the Holy
Spirit,
6: Which he poured out [so]
richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
7: [And He did it in order]
that we might be justified by His grace – by His favor, wholly undeserved, that
is that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the Divine will in
purpose, thought and action; and that we might become heirs of eternal life
according to [our] hope.
8: This message is most
trustworthy, and concerning these things I want you to insist steadfastly, so
that those who have believed in (trusted, relied on) God may be CAREFUL to
apply themselves to honorable occupations and doing good, for such things are
[not only] excellent and right [in themselves], but [they are] good and
profitable for the people.
Paul is reminding Titus of the mercy of God—-how God sent Jesus who
cleansed and renewed us, not because of our own righteousness, but because He
had pity and mercy on us. He did all of this so that we would be justified by
HIS grace and that we would become heirs of eternal life. Because of His mercy
we need to be what?… CAREFUL (full of care) to apply ourselves to honorable
occupations and doing good. The key word here is "careful" which
means cautious in thought, speech or action. The use of this word serves as a
warning that the enemy has placed tricks and schemes in our way, and we can be
easily deceived if we don’t stay focused—–if we don’t stay filled with care.
We should be careful, not careless in our thoughts, words and actions.
So knowing all this, can you see where the "Wave them like you just
don’t care" comes in? When you perform this profane act, satan is looking
at you, laughing and saying, "Yep, wave them like you don’t care because
that job you’ve been wanting will not be given to you as long as you’re waving
them." "Wave them like you just don’t care because things aren’t the
way they should be in your home, and they won’t be as long as you don’t
care." "Wave them like you just don’t care, because while you’re in
this night club worshiping me you’ve lost your authority to ask Jesus to heal
your sick mother, father, sister or brother."
But even in this portion of the chant there is a fallacy – LIKE YOU JUST
DON’T CARE! Why? Because you do!!! You do care because you know that someone
will need prayer, and it’s up to you to pray. You do care because it’s your
prosperity that’s on the line when you’ve been waving them like you didn’t care
and everything you’ve touched just didn’t work – CURSED HANDS!!! But you do
care, and that’s why the enemy has to "trick" you into giving him
praise. But you know what? GOD CARES TOO!!! That’s why he gave us this
revelation—- so we can give it to you, and you won’t be TRICKED AGAIN!!
Next week, Lord willing – "Tricked – Part III."