MURDER IN THE CHURCH, PART 9
Dangerous "Theys"

They. A pronoun. A word often overlooked in scripture. It's such a common word that unless the Lord really draws our attention to it, we'll miss what He's trying to tell us.

The word they is used 7,377 times in 5,469 verses in the Bible. Some occurrences are more significant than others, as we'll highlight today. Let's look at five -- what we'll refer to as DANGEROUS THEYS. In other words, DON'T BE THE PERSON THESE PASSAGES ARE DESCRIBING.

><> THEY #1: They Rewarded...

(Psalms 35:11-12) False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. {12} They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.

When people do good, how do YOU respond? Some people in Christendom have allowed themselves to become the THEY that has no problem rewarding evil for good. Remember, however, that the good is from God's perspective -- what HE considers good. Consider your responses to or because someone has done that which was right in the sight of the Lord (which means that you must learn the will of the Lord). This is an extremely dangerous and serious matter. Proverbs 17:13 says, "Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house." Do you want to curse your home? Do you want to be "pursued" by evil (calamity)? Do you want to be this kind of THEY? Be diligent. Overcome false witnessing and remember to bless those that operate in the name of the Lord -- unadulteratedly!

><> THEY #2: They Laid Privily

(Psalms 31:1-4) To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. {2} Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. {3} For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. {4} Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.

This group of THEYS were so spiritually dead that they embraced "trap setting". David said that THEY laid privily. This means that they set traps, waiting to find something to accuse him with. Why is this important? As discussed in earlier MITC (Murder in the Church) messages, the church is inundated with tares/Cains -- those who have absolutely no heart for the things of God. Not only do they have no heart for the things of God, but THEY seek to do harm to those that do. They seek to discourage. They seek to discredit. They seek to steal, kill and destroy. By the way, look closely at John 10. You know -- the passage that talks about the thief. We usually ascribe this to the devil. A closer look reveals that the devil is never mentioned OR alluded to. Jesus is talking about FALSE, ADULTERATED folks that don't follow procedure. Those kinds of people are always laying traps -- seeking to discredit (steal, kill and destroy) rather than get things right and do them right. Don't let this be you.

><> THEY #3: Rebellious, Impudent,
Stiffhearted . . . Scorpions (Multi-Faceted They)

(Ezekiel 2:3-8) And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. {4} For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. {5} And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. {6} And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. {7} And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. {8} But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.

As is the case with many of these passages, there are several THEYS mentioned -- THEYS worth avoiding. This passages mentions transgression, impudence, stiffheartedness, rebellion. They are referred to as briers, thorns and scorpions. They have dangerous words and destructive looks. In THEY #3, there are so many that it would be inordinate to focus on one. Each one of these attributes is a companion of murder (hatred). Those who walk in hatred are transgressing. Those who walk in hatred are impudent (severely cruel and disorderly -- having no regard for others). Those who walk in hatred are stiffhearted (strong) -- won't amend their ways for anything, with a heart fully set in them to do evil. NOTE: They are this way because the reward for evil doesn't come quickly. Consider Ecclesiastes 8:11 which says, " Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." This is another reason why is extremely important to speak out against evil things done in and around the church (Christendom).

Though rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft (1 Samuel 15:23), it is rampant among those claiming to know Christ. In 1 Samuel 15:23 and Ezekiel 2:3-8, "rebellion" means "bitter". Interestingly, we see this New Testament contrast regarding bitterness:

(Hebrews 12:14-16) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: {15} Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; {16} Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

Here, the word "bitterness" means "acridity, especially poison". "Acridity" means "sharp and harsh or unpleasantly pungent in taste or odor". Bitterness is distasteful. Bitterness is cruel (sharp and harsh). The essence of bitterness is not, however, in its appearance. The essence of bitterness is in its effect -- WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU IF YOU PARTAKE OF IT. Poison looks harmless, yet, a drop can kill. The same applies to bitterness. Those who are not diligent can, may and will be subject to bitterness and its effects. One cannot be bitter unless one rebels against the Lord God Almighty. Those who rebel, walk in hatred. Those who walk in hatred are . . . SCORPIONS -- ONLY CAPABLE OF MURDER. This is a complex THEY, but one that practically never gets ministered about among the people of God -- be it radio, TV or in person. Are you rebellious? Are you impudent? Are you stiffhearted? Is your lifestyle reflective of a transgressor (always going against "God's grain")? Are you a scorpion -- walking around "stinging" people and causing death, pain and despair? Are you a DANGEROUS THEY? Please note that this group refused to take heed to the word of God and disregarded God's "mailmen". How do you respond to the word of God? How do you respond to men and women of God (not just your pastor)? Consider the following THEY.

><> THEY #4: Choosing the Knowledge of God

(Romans 1:28-32) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; {29} Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, {30} Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, {31} Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: {32} Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

This group of THEYS did not take pleasure in retaining God in their knowledge. The word "retain" means "to hold, possess or maintain". Want more clarity? John 14:21 says, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." How we respond to God's word (the source of our knowledge) says who we are. We cannot be ignorant and serve God properly. For this group of THEYS, ignorance is a choice. As a result, God gives these THEYS over to a reprobate (unprofitable) mind. Do you take pleasure in the word of God? In the knowledge that God provides? Are you doing profitable things? Strive to retain God in your knowledge. Strive to be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Strive to embrace the word of the Lord . . . and you won't be a DANGEROUS THEY!

><> THEY #5: Fake Christians (Mockers)

(Jude 1:18-19) How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. {19} These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

Jude mentions three distinct things about these "THEYS": 1) they pursue ungodly lusts (desires); 2) they are sensual (carnal minded) and 3) they don't have the Spirit of God (Romans 8:9 ...if any man have not the Spirit of God, they are none of His). What kinds of things to YOU desire? Do you walk after ungodly lusts? Are you spiritual minded (disposed to embrace the things of the Spirit) or are you carnal minded (unregenerate, base, fleshly, sinful)? Do you have the Spirit of God? A lot of people think they do -- especially people who are "taught" to speak with tongues. Don't be shocked. This is common. I've witnessed it myself. They say "Repeat after me" and they tell people they've spoken in tongues. God only knows how many people in Christendom have this experience and are basing their walk with God upon it! Does the baptism of the Holy Ghost still happen today -- authentically??? ABSOLUTELY! Do people still speak with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives the utterance (Acts 2:4)? Absolutely! But there are far more mockers than there are authentic Christians. If you were escorted to a back room and told to repeat after somebody, you spoke as A spirit gave utterance, but not THE Spirit. Hopefully, you're not one of these THEYS.

When these passages say "THEY", are they talking about you? Examine yourself whether ye be in the faith!

Until next week, keep the word and be blessed!

Reprinted from Cry Aloud: Volume 4, Issue 33 -- Murder in the Church, Part 9 -- Dangerous THEYS
Copyright © 1998, 2000, CyberSaint/Scenario Ministries International
An outreach ministry of Remnant Christian Assembly, Inc. All rights reserved.
Feel free to reproduce for non-commercial purposes.

To subscribe to Cry Aloud, complete our subscription form.