The Lurkers
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. – 2 Corinthians 11:3 NKJV.
A family in Oklahoma City lost their little dog, “Furby,” to a ten foot long python a few years ago. The family came home to find the snake wrapped around the little dog. What a shock!! Where had the snake come from? They had heard from neighbors that it was rumored the previous residents of the house had a snake. But no one had seen it. The family had lived in the house for about a year and had no indication the python was living with them. One local expert said it was likely the snake was simply in hiding during all this time because of the noise the family would make. But eventually it became desperate enough for food that it attacked. This was indicated by the skinny condition of the snake.
The apostle Paul speaks about another kind of snake that is lurking, waiting for the right opportunity to strike. Just as that old snake, the devil, deceived Eve; he is continuing to look for opportunities to deceive others. Paul speaks of false teachers in the church who deceive by pretending to be apostles of Christ. In other words: they look like Christians; they act like Christians; they talk like Christians; but they do not worship the same Jesus we worship. Paul says we should not be amazed that people try to do this because satan did it: “And no wonder; for satan himself is transformed into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).”
The Galatians were also having trouble with false teachers and Paul says: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:8).” There are many today who present themselves as Christians and yet are preaching another gospel. An example of this deception on a large scale is The Church Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or Mormons.
From the website “Recovery from Mormonism” I found this statement: “Joseph Smith said that the Book of Mormon contained the ‘fulness of the gospel.’ However, its teaching on many doctrinal subjects has been ignored or contradicted by the present LDS church, and many doctrines now said by the church to be essential are not even mentioned there. Examples are the church’s position on the nature of God, the Virgin Birth, the Trinity, polygamy, Hell, priesthood, secret organizations, the nature of Heaven and salvation, temples, proxy ordinances for the dead, and many other matters.” (Copyright © 1998 Richard Packham Permission granted to reproduce for non-commercial purposes, provided text is not changed and this copyright notice is included)
On the surface Mormons appear to be Christians, they claim to be Christians, and they want to be called Christians, but they do not worship the same Jesus that true Christian’s worship. Mormons preach what the apostle Paul would call an “other gospel.” Let us be watchful of that old serpent who is always lurking around.
(For more information about the deception of Mormonism and testimonies of those recovering from Mormonism visit this excellent site: “Recovery From Mormonism” http://www.exmormon.org)