In Isaiah we read —
“Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?” (Isaiah 29:15)
Satan as we know has long been the deceiver of man, hiding behind his works of darkness even appearing as an angel of light. Deception in a myriad of forms has been his calling card. Yet amazingly we find some so-called “present truth” believers doing such deception and hiding in the midst!
Our case in point this week is concerning Facebook. When one joins FB they are asked to register under there “real name”, this we do to let our friends and family know who they are dealing with.
Wikipedia points out — Facebook has maintained the real-name system policy for user profiles. According to Facebook, the real-name policy stems from the position “that way, you always know who you’re connecting with. This helps keep our community safe.”[1][2] Likewise per this policy, a “real name” is defined by “your real name as it would be listed on your credit card, driver’s license or student ID
On FB community page, their “featured answer” to why FB’s policy of using only your real name is important, they state–
“… using a fake name is an act of deception. Using your real name lets everyone you connect with know who you are.”
While in some cases, such as stalkers, serious family issues, etc, it may be necessary to not use your real name, but aside from the above, to use an alias is to:
1) lie to FB when signing up
2) More importantly in regard to Gospel work, it crosses the line. It crosses God’s line of “no guile” in our mouth.
Allow us to show the case of brother C, we’ll call him. He has been a professed believer in the Lord’s Rod message (Micah 6:9) for many years. You’ll recall last week we did the post on how one must broken on the Rock of Jesus, to allow Jesus to build us up and thus produce fruit in our walk. This case is an obvious case of never being broken. The Bible says —
“Ye shall know them by their fruits.” (Matt 7:16)
Brother C has a long-standing reputation as a divisive person among many present truth believers. His name is often recognized as trouble and from what we have learned, well deserved. We also have not escaped his accusatory work and been labeled “thief” “liar” and more. Yes, there are times when we must give “stern and direct” words to our brethren, yet we do this from our real known identity not a mask.
He has at least two or three FB alias he uses. And because of this, he no doubt feels his criticism of many brethren on FB, not to mention his downright un-Christ like responses to those who disagree with him, makes him go undetected. In other words his bombastic approach is a ” the end justifies the means” method. But this is a true deception to God.
Once we decide to “strive… to be among the 144,000” (RH, March 9, 1905) we must NOT be found with “guile” in our mouth! Meaning we are “straight shooters” and do not lie or deceive one another.
“These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” (Rev. 14:4-5)
“For He said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so He was their Saviour.” (Isaiah 63:8)
Brother C’s deception is sophisticated. With one of his alias’ he speaks about his own website as if speaking in the third person point of view. To build his ministry up he uses his alias’ to promote himself and his website.
The question may be asked –why? Why not at least uncover his mask and just do all the FB work under his real name? Well obviously something is bothering brother C, because to do these things shows , whether consciously or subconsciously, a desire to hide behind something. He does have an extensive knowledge of the message and as a result of this attitude, he often judges and condemns any brethren or group that does not agree with him. A blindness exists which he cannot discern. It’s the ol “take the log out of your eye first” remedy he needs to awake.
Sop counsels–
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” False speaking in any matter, every attempt or purpose to deceive our neighbor, is here included.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p.309)
The whole idea of hiding behind a mask, as it were, should simply be foreign to us as Christ’s followers. This hiding has historically been one of the main tools of Satan and his deceptors. This “fruit” is certainly bad and if they continue down this path of deception, the end of the road will not be to their liking.
This brother we have reason to believe reads this blog and in order to protect his true identity we chose to not disclose his real name. This warning must be given because true brotherly concern does not keep from trying to help a brother caught in a snare and trap. Are we hopeful this post will produce a correction? Not really, based on previous warnings given, yet there may be others out there that may benefit from this counsel.
The message states —
“I have been shown that the greatest reason why the people of God are now found in this state of spiritual blindness is that they will not receive correction. Many have despised the reproofs and warnings given them.” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p.255)
Let us look at some Scripture about deception —
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” (Proverbs 10:9)
“So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”(Romans 13:12)
“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psalms 24:3-5)
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:10-12)
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25)
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” (2 Cor.13-15)
“No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.” (Psalms 101:7)
“Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.” (Hebrews 13:18)
“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”(1 Peter 2:1)
In closing, when we take up the cross and decide to be a representative of Christ, let us do it without deceit of any kind. Facebook can indeed be a good tool to reach our brethren around the world but not in crafty deception. As the Word says –what we reap, we shall sow.
Godsloveandlaw's Blog 
Leave a Reply