The Deception of Appearance

The Deception of Appearance

What Does It Mean?

This teaching addresses the danger of being deceived by outward appearances and the shame of adopting the world's methods instead of God's. The instruction begins by defining shame as being embarrassed or guilty because of one's actions, characteristics, or associations, with synonyms including sorry, shamefaced, abashed, sheepish, guilty, contrite, remorseful, repentant, penitent, regretful, rueful, and apologetic.

The teaching then asks a provocative question: "Would you be ashamed to hire Paul to be your Pastor?" It presents Paul's resume from 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. Paul's record includes working harder than others, being imprisoned more often, being whipped repeatedly, facing death again and again, receiving thirty-nine lashes five times, being beaten with rods three times, being stoned once, being shipwrecked three times, spending a night and a day adrift at sea, facing danger from rivers, robbers, his own people, Gentiles, cities, deserts, seas, and false believers. He endured sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, cold, and the daily burden of concern for all the churches.

The instruction comments: "A great resume, Paul!" It then observes that the church has so little impact today because millions come to Christ and fill huge auditoriums, but so few are transformed like Peter and Paul. This is what Paul feared.

The teaching then turns to Eve. She gazed upon the fruit from the wrong tree and was deceived into thinking that what looks good is good. The outside looked great, but she could not see what was inside. Only God can see below the surface. Human beings do not have the ability to know what lies under the surface, which is why we need God's information. God would have been glad to tell Eve, but she did not ask. She ate it all up and gave the fruit to her husband.

The teaching asks: "Where was his head at?" Adam did not question Eve, challenge her, or refuse. He was the one God told not to eat from that tree. The serpent still occupies the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, yet people keep eating its poisoned fruit. The teaching concludes with 1 John 2:28, which calls us to continue in Christ so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him.

The Twist

The unexpected element in this teaching is the challenge to modern church practices. The instruction suggests that we have been deceived into thinking the world has the answer for the church. We bring the world's music and theater into services instead of prayer, fasting, and weeping at the altar of God. This is a direct challenge to the seeker-sensitive movement and the tendency to make the church more appealing to the world.

Another surprising insight is the connection between Eve's deception and the church's adoption of worldly methods. Just as Eve was deceived by the appearance of the fruit, the church has been deceived into thinking that what looks good is good. The world's methods may seem attractive and effective, but they are poison.

The teaching also reveals that transformation is rare. Millions come to Christ and fill auditoriums, but so few are transformed like Peter and Paul. This is a sobering observation. The goal is not just numbers but true transformation.

Perhaps most challenging is the question about Adam: "Where was his head at?" Adam was with Eve, he knew God's command, and he was supposed to be the leader. Yet he did not question, challenge, or refuse. His silence was complicity.

How Does It Apply to Me?

Examine My Attitude Toward Suffering

Paul's resume is filled with suffering, not success by worldly standards. I need to examine whether I am ashamed of suffering or willing to endure it for Christ.

I can apply this by:

Not avoiding suffering for the sake of the gospel

Being willing to endure hardship

Seeing suffering as part of following Christ

Not being ashamed of the cost of discipleship

Evaluate My Church's Practices

The teaching challenges the adoption of worldly methods in the church. I need to evaluate whether my church is relying on the world's methods or God's methods.

I can do this by:

Asking whether prayer, fasting, and repentance are prioritized

Not being swayed by what is popular

Seeking God's methods over the world's

Being willing to challenge worldly influences

Guard Against Deception by Appearance

Eve was deceived by the appearance of the fruit. I need to guard against being deceived by outward appearances and seek God's wisdom.

I can apply this by:

Not assuming that what looks good is good

Seeking God's perspective on things

Asking God to reveal what is underneath

Not trusting my own judgment alone

Seek True Transformation

The teaching laments that so few are transformed like Peter and Paul. I need to seek true transformation, not just outward religious activity.

I can do this by:

Not being satisfied with superficial faith

Allowing God to change me from the inside out

Being open to the Holy Spirit's work

Pursuing deep and lasting change

Learn from Adam's Failure

Adam did not question Eve or challenge her. I need to learn from his failure and take responsibility for my leadership.

I can apply this by:

Not being passive in spiritual matters

Questioning what is presented to me

Standing firm in God's truth

Leading with courage and conviction

Recognize the Poison of the World's Fruit

The serpent still occupies the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. I need to recognize that the world's fruit is poisoned and reject it.

I can do this by:

Not being tempted by what the world offers

Testing everything against Scripture

Being discerning about what I consume

Choosing God's wisdom over the world's

Continue in Christ

1 John 2:28 calls me to continue in Christ so that I may be confident and unashamed at His coming. I need to remain in Him.

I can do this by:

Abiding in Christ daily

Not wandering from the faith

Staying connected to the vine

Being faithful until the end

Final Reflections

This teaching on the deception of appearance presents a sobering challenge to modern church practices. The instruction suggests that we have been deceived by the world's methods, just as Eve was deceived by the appearance of the fruit. We bring the world's music and theater into services instead of prayer, fasting, and weeping at the altar of God.

Paul's resume is a stark contrast to worldly success. He suffered imprisonment, beatings, shipwrecks, hunger, cold, and constant danger. Yet he was one of the most effective servants of Christ. The church's lack of impact today is linked to a lack of willingness to suffer and be transformed.

The questions about Adam are a challenge to passive leadership. Adam did not question Eve or challenge her. His silence was complicity. This is a warning to those in positions of leadership to take responsibility and stand firm in God's truth.

The call to continue in Christ is essential. When He appears, we want to be confident and unashamed. This requires abiding in Him, rejecting the world's poisoned fruit, and seeking true transformation.

Prayer

Father in Heaven,

I come to You with a heart that desires to follow You, not the world. I confess that I have sometimes been deceived by appearances and have adopted worldly methods instead of seeking Your ways. Forgive me for my spiritual compromise and for the times I have been ashamed of suffering for You.

Lord, I thank You for the example of Paul, who endured suffering and hardship for the sake of the gospel. Help me to be willing to suffer for You and to not be ashamed of the cost of discipleship.

Teach me to evaluate my church's practices and to prioritize prayer, fasting, and repentance. Help me to guard against deception by appearance and to seek Your wisdom in all things.

I pray for those who are passive in their leadership, like Adam. Give them courage to stand firm in Your truth and to challenge what is wrong. Help them to be leaders who guide others in righteousness.

Lord, I choose this day to continue in You, so that when You appear, I may be confident and unashamed. Help me to abide in You and to reject the poisoned fruit of the world.

In Jesus' name, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life,

Amen.