BLOWIN' SMOKE

Matt. 7:
V22. "Many will say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
We hear these folks whine as they enter three counts of defensive testimony before the righteous Judge, “Did we not prophesy in Your name,” is the first count. Here are those who have made themselves a living out of religion. This is not a salary that seeks to expand the kingdom but one who merely sees religion as a handsome position that fulfills worldly self interests. He is a blind guide that survives by the backs of the willing ignorant. Over a period of time he is self-deluded to believe he is God’s servant.
The second count of defense is: “Did we not, in Your name cast out demons?” We see this very example in Acts 19:11-17 And God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12. so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 13. But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches." 14. And seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15. And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16. And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17. And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. Another example is of one who practiced this in Mark 9:38 John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to hinder him because he was not following us."
The third and final count of defense is: “Did we not, in Your name perform many miracles?” Christ tells us that these things will occur: Matt. 24:24 "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Paul also tells of satanic miracles to come in 2Thess. 2:8-9 And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9. that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, MacArthur says, “There are three possible explanations for the claim of the false believers. It may be that they were allowed to do these amazing works by God’s power… Satan’s power… or their prophecies, exorcisms, and miracles were fake and contrived.” It really does not make a bit of difference because in the final analysis they were not His children and did not truly recognize Him as Lord even though they professed so.

Mal. 3:17. "And they will be Mine," says the Lord of hosts, "on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him."

That day will entail two kind of people; those who entered by the narrow gate and those who entered by the broad gate, as these sham professors. Those who walked the narrow path will receive his rewards based on his mortal fruit described in 2Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Those whom address Jesus as “Lord, Lord,” have a very different fate which will truly be a surprise to them as described in the Great White Throne judgment spelled out in Rev. 20:15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Matt. 7:
21. "Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.
22. "Many will say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
23. "And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'
Luke:6
46. "And why do you call Me, `Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?
Self-examination is not such a glorious sport but it can be vital to one’s eternal destiny. In fact, some sects will teach you that self-examination is a lack of faith or even sinful. False prophets hold on to their disciples by teaching them this doctrine, and that to be discerning is an unloving way in which you questions their integrity. Beware of these types! We must honestly ask ourselves, “Why am I doing this? What is truly in my heart? Am I interested in becoming more like my Lord or am I my own lord?” One thing for sure is proclaimed by John: 1John 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. And on the other hand Paul tells us in 1Cor. 6:9-10 do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10. nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
In these examples of those afflicted by false assurance, we find that these do not believe in doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ but in their own works, or the dogma taught by their pseudo-spiritual leadership.
Not just a few but many will say to Me on that day, in a confounded spirit of disbelief, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
I don’t mean to be cynical, but does not this verse focus its sights on Benny Hinn and the TBN crowd? When you tune into and look at the huge crowds that these people draw, it is but a few minutes until you hear this language of “Your name” in their conversation and many “apparent” miracles that they perform. It is also common to hear these people speak of demons cast out. I have absolutely no doubt that these people honestly feel that they are doing our common Lord a great service but do you ever hear any of them focus on the doctrine of sin, reconciliation, God’s holiness and justice, or personal righteousness? Where do they teach sanctification? With who are they truly concerned?

Matt. 7:
21. "Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.
22. "Many will say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
23. "And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'
Luke 6:
46. "And why do you call Me, `Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?
Briefly we will observe other forms of common self-deception. We find those who are intense in their religious activity in a self-centered /man-centered manner. These are those who sing the songs, attend the meetings, and take great part in their church’s activity for only pure enjoyment. It is these who come to be filled and worship the stuff they experience rather than the Lord.
We find those who think that their good deeds out weigh their bad ones so it will all balance out in the end. I have heard statements professing such rhetoric as, “I belong to so and so church, I was baptized as an infant, and I was saved when I was _ years old.” …Examine yourself.
There are also those who are quite knowledgeable in Biblical doctrine and we might call them the intellectuals. These look at scripture in a totally objective sense. They may focus their specialization on apologetics and always look to debate for the pure sport of it. They may feel that they are doing the work of the Lord by setting the story straight on matters of evolution, psychology, theology, or some perverted world view. These pride and worship themselves in their airtight arguments.
There are those more interested in the by-products of the faith such as: feelings, experiences, healings, angels, earthly material blessing, promises, and a bunch of other external stuff (wealth and prosperity) rather than the fruit itself.
We also find in this group those who focus their interest totally with prophecy and eschatology (end times). These may have certain systems that may sacrifice some Biblical truths to fit the needs of their man-made system. These systems also may be overindulgent in focusing on God’s grace to the exclusion of man’s responsibilities (hyper-Calvinism). Beware of those who are disinterested in decreasing sin and increasing righteousness (sanctification). Examine yourself, and those who would dupe you.

Matt. 7:
21. "Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.
22. "Many will say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
23. "And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'
Luke 6:
46. "And why do you call Me, `Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?
We have been warned to watch out for false prophets coming in sheep’s clothing and we are told to enter the narrow gate in which again He gives us direction as He says that he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter the kingdom. It is not easy but it is simple. You must know scripture so you may discern right doctrine from wrong. Discernment is not cultivated overnight but by diligent study in the word over time. It is also beneficial to surround yourself with godly people/mentors who are never satisfied with their present knowledge of scripture but want to know God, and this man Jesus Christ, more intimately. And, when you find yourself of old age you will not gloat as a knowledgeable theologian but marvel at the relationship that you have with your eternal Lord and wonder why on earth would He have a relationship with a depraved sinner like me?
We are warned about self-deception but how can we recognize that we are a victim of it? As in the paragraph above we see that some have come to believe in an experience; saying the sinner’s prayer or some formula that they have recited as a profession of faith. Others have gone to a church meeting where they have had some kind of spiritual experience that moved them to raise their hand, walk an aisle, or fill out a registration card. Don Carson in his book, Jesus Sermon on the Mount, writes:
There are several ways to become self-deluded about spiritual things. For example, it is possible to enjoy some sort of unique experience and live in its glow at the expense of ongoing spiritual experience and sustained practical obedience. I heard of a man who enjoyed what he took to be a special outpouring of God’s blessing upon him. He felt himself transported with Paul to the third heaven. So momentous was the event that he wrote it all up in paper to which he gave the title, “My Experience.” The months slipped past, and he became indifferent to spiritual things. At first he preserved the form, and hauled out his manuscript to show various visitors. But as months turned into years, even the form of godliness was abandoned, and his experience lay forgotten in a dusty drawer. Many years later a minister came calling. The man, thinking to impress his visitor, called upstairs to his wife, asking her to bring down “My Experience.” She rummaged around until she found the tattered document, and replied, “I’m sorry, dear, but your experience is rather moth-eaten.”