THE
DEVELOPMENT OF DECEPTION
Isaiah 14:12-15
|
| Steps
Of Spiritual Deception |
SATANIC
PATTERN (Isa. 14:12-15) |
| (1)
INDEPENDENT SPIRIT |
Failure
to have a Servant's Heart |
(Deviation
From Christ) Root sin of PRIDE
|
"I
will mount up into the heavens"
|
Attitude
of disloyalty to God and denial of our need for Him;
"vaunts self" (Jude 14; I Cor. 13:4)
|
Aspiration
to be like God in an ungodly way; responsible to no-one
but self
|
| (2)
SELFISH CHOICES |
Exalts
ones’ own importance |
(Desire
For Power) - Pharisee
|
"I
will exalt my throne above1 the stars of
God"
|
Legalistic
motivations for religious achievement; fear/hope,
punishment/reward
|
Takes
false position of dignity and authority to rule over
God's servants; status-seeking vs. honor
|
| (3)
SEARED CONSCIENCE. |
Re-interprets
Scripture & suppresses the dealings of the Holy Spirit |
(Denial
Of Absolutes) - Sadducee
|
"I
will sit on the mount of the congregation2
in the recesses of the north3"
|
Claims
authority forbidden by Christ; while questions any
other authority
|
Takes
the place of God in judgment of others according to
own ideas
|
| (4)
INTELLECTUAL DECEPTION |
Religious
Rationalization |
(Deception
of self and others) - False Prophet
|
"I
will ascend above the clouds.."
|
Falsely
applies Scripture to self or to places or events with
which he is connected
|
Begins
to build "castles in the air", indulge in
fantasy over self, or retreat from reality
|
| (5)
EMOTIONAL PERVERSION |
Justifies
Lusts |
(Drive
For Possession) - False Apostle
|
"I
will be like the most High4"
|
Becomes
covetous for economic, political, religious or sexual
control
|
Begins
to try to live out own fantasies; act as if he "possesses
the earth"
|
| (6)
PERSONAL, SOCIAL & SPIRITUAL DISRUPTION OR DESTRUCTION |
Divine
Judgment |
(Division
of Disciples) - Justice of God
|
"But
you will be brought down to Hell, to the sides of
the pit"
|
Denies
judgment or punishment - annihilationism or restorationism
|
Destruction
of power, credibility, reputation or control over
others, loses those under bondage
|
1.
Throne - Position of authority, dignity & rulership
2. mount of the congregation: phrase used to describe
the place of God's judgment
3. recesses of the north: the place where God rules
4. Most High - "Elyon" - used of God as the
one Who "possesses the earth and the heavens"
From
"Counseling The Cults" © 1993, W.A. Pratney
Contact at Box 876 Lindale TX, 75771
|
