OUTLINE:

The Deceitfulness of Sin
Don't get caught up in the natural senses… we've been called to a supernatural life and understanding. Don't become ensnared by one of the oldest traps of all…“carnal reasoning”.

Be Like a Wise Birdie - blog
Why would we ever esteem the simple-minded? Furthermore, why would we ever entertain reasoning with someone who speaks of fantasy and delusion amplified by unfounded self-esteem? These are the same people who crucified Jesus Christ because, not only did man not esteem Him, they resented Him for siding with His sovereign Father.

“the LORD has not given you”
Anything "spiritually appraised" (1Co 2:14) requires God's intervention, by/through grace. Without this grace, we don't have "eyes to see, nor ears to hear" (Deu 29:4) the Truth, even though we may read it and comprehend it in a natural way.

It's God's sovereign decision who sees and who hears. No man can receive the Truth without the help of God.

Pr 1:17 [Amplified]
Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net In the sight of any bird; But [when these people set a trap for others] they lie in wait for their own blood; They set an ambush for their own lives [and rush to their destruction].

“the LORD has not given you”
Anything "spiritually appraised" (1Co 2:14) requires God's intervention, by/through grace. Without this grace, we don't have "eyes to see, nor ears to hear" (Deu 29:4) the Truth, even though we may read it and comprehend it in a natural way.

Without man mixing the Word of God with faith, ala Heb 4:2, by the grace of God the Holy Spirit, he will not understand the precious truths found in the Word.

“things that accompany salvation”
Ala our recent blog, "Assurance of salvation is by grace through faith”. Because we have eyes to see and ears to hear, we are able to discern the truth about our lives (even when we are suffering, we understand why).

Be Like a Wise Birdie - blog
They are antichrists and the world seeks their counsel for deliverance. “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18). Antichrists cannot save themselves, never mind uphold the expectations of their idolaters.

Ps 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; 
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
True humility begins/ends with submission to the Word of God.

Carnal Reasoning?
- Col 3:5a [ESV] Put to death therefore what is earthly in you…
- Mk 8:35 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.

John Newton
Obedience is the best test of sincerity; feelings are various, transient, and often deceitful; but a broken, humble spirit, and an upright walk, evidence the finger of God; other things may be and are often counterfeited.

If we allow the “kings and queens” of our society to begin dictating to us WHAT Christianity actually is, we are absolutely doomed!

The World’s Take On Religion
“Well, it’s like a formula…do this, and you’ll be happy. I might consider it if/when I get down and out, but right now, I’m feeling pretty darn good all on my own! I don’t need your God.”

Philip P. Bliss
“Man of Sorrows,” what a name
For the Son of God who came
Runed sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Philip P. Bliss
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Social Elites
They may be sincere when sharing their advice about life, or relationships, or building wealth, etc... but their data is wrong if they don't cling to the Word! They are deceived by sin! (and they don't know it)

Mk 4:24-25
And He was saying to them, "Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides.  25 "For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him."