Discernment (2)
By Pastor Raphael Adegoke
13For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb 5:13-14).
Blessed be the name of the Lord who is worthy to be praised and adored. It is another glorious moment of togetherness in the presence of God. May we receive the needed grace to receive all that He is making available to us at this time! Last week, we began to examine “Discernment” and emphasized on the meaning and the means of discernment, but this week, we shall continue by examining “Subtilty and Transformation”
Foremost, ministers of God must know that the Church is not without enemies. A denial of these would spell a lot of doom. Meanwhile, denial is not the same as non-existence. In fact, one of the greatest strategies of the devil is to make ministers live in denial. By discerning from the Words of Christ, it is evident that there are gates of hell that militate against the Church. “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18). Though victory against the gates of hell is assured, yet we still need to understand the place of men as the method of Christ.
One of Satan’s strategies right from time immemorial is to manifest through subtilty and transformation. “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (Gen. 3:1). Biblically, the term “subtilty” is used to describe wisdom, prudence, and refined speech. It is associated with being discreet, wise, and having a fine or refined spirit. Also, the Bible is explicit on Satan’s ability to masquerade or transform as angel of light. “But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Cor. 11:14). To transform simply means to change in composition or structure or to change the outward form or appearance of something.
It is undebatable that wisdom and prudence are often parts of the factors used in assessing men. It is always quick to conclude about those who manifest these pronouncedly, and assume that they are always right. These mark men out, distinguish, bring to stardom, position of power, authority, influence and recognition. It then becomes more interesting when individuals that manifest these have a form of godliness, that is, transforms as an angel of light.
Satan, from time immemorial has always adopted these strategies of the display of wisdom and prudence combined with a form of godliness through men, that is, supposed ministers of God in the Church, and it is unfortunate that many ministers are still unaware of these. These, we can never discern until we understand the biblical parameters for assessing men, some of which will be discussed subsequently. May the Lord continue to open the eyes of our hearts!
Pastor Raphael Adegoke is a Pastor in Christ Apostolic Church (Nigeria & Overseas) and a Lecturer in Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary.
