JOSHUA 9:9
“THEY ANSWERED:”YOUR SERVANTS HAVE COME FROM A VERY FAR DISTANT COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THE FAME OF YOUR GOD..” (KINDLY READ FROM VERSE 1-27 NIV)
Two significant things happened to me that shook the foundation of my ministry. A young man came to live with me. He was a member of a church I had gone to preach in, a ministry I so much cherish. I sought counsel from the senior pastor, since I didn’t really know him that well. He had his reservations, cautioned me but said I could allow him. Besides, he already knew one of my most loyal and trusted sons. Though I wasn’t comfortable, because his pretense was too glaring, I still took him in.
This young man is more deceptive than the Gibeonites. At one time, he even faked that a car knocked him down. Whilst he will tell everybody he is fasting, he goes to a restaurant to eat. He probably forgot the kind of calling upon me, he forgot God speaks to his servants. I was only giving him time to change, but….Deceptive people have a natural character which disarms suspicion. They don’t find it cognitively difficult to lie, and who do not exhibit emotions such as fear, guilt or duping delight when they are lying. Deceptive friends are natural performers and they are usually prepared to defend a lie with another lie. (I will tell you how his deceptive character caused me and nearly ended my ministry as the story unfolds)
It is not possible to live in this world without friends. We all need them: To reflect with, share ideas, to laugh and love and experience great memories and challenges. But there are those friends too who betray, disappoint, stab at the back, lie and deceive on regular basis. They lie to you, deceive you, steal your dreams and beat you down, and still you keep going to them for more. Like the Gibeonites, they will flatter you with “sugar quoted” words and praise you as the best ever, comparing you to some great friends he broke away from; people he really never met. One of the things the young man told me was his association with great preachers like Bishop Agyin Asare, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams etc I knew he was lying, but was still willing to give him a chance. His character and that of the Gibeonites is not different.
“An honest enemy is always better than a deceptive friend; Pay less attention to what people say, and more attention to what they do, their actions will show you the truth”…
To be cont
Stay blessed always and remember to love someone and mean it.
#sociallysignificant #Lukebarson #Libertybreakfast
Rev. Prophet Luke Luki Barson is the Senior Pastor at Liberty House Christian Centre at Tema Community 25.
He has studied at the University of Ghana, the Methodist University College and the Christian Service University College.
He is currently a PhD student at the University of South Africa.
Source: BestNewsGH.com
