Recognizing the Diluting Influences - 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12

"The lukewarm Christian literally dances with the devil and plays with sin like it's some kind of a toy."

Family Discussion:

• Who is the antichrist and how will we recognize him?
• What are examples of the antichrist's work on earth today?
• How do you think you might get caught up in on diluting influences in your life even now?

Transcription:

00:06 This tiny little book we're looking at is Second Thessalonians and it is about that big, but it is about that big in meaning because it's talking about the return of Christ and the antichrist, the enemy and the last days before Christ returns. Listen to this. Second Thessalonians 2:8-12. This fits today. Talking about the antichrist, it says: "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. That is the one who's coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, the antichrist, with all power he'll have signs and false wonders. And with all deception and wickedness for those who perish because they did not receive the love of truth so as to be saved. For this reason, God will send upon them a diluting influence so that they will believe what is false and in order that they may be judged who did not believe in truth, but took pleasure in wickedness."

01:21 The diluting influences, and there are so many of them. Now check out this story and it will help you with the diluting influences in your life. I heard the story one time of a transport company that placed a very important ad in a local newspaper, and the ad said something like this: Wanted, conscientious and experienced truck driver to transport TNT across narrow mountain roads. The pay is excellent. Three brave drivers interviewed for the job. The foreman asked each of the drivers this question: When you turn a corner on a tight mountain road, how close to the edge can you get without slipping off the edge of the cliff? The first driver came in and proudly responded, "I've had years of experience at that. I can get as close as a foot from the edge without slipping off." The second applicant came in and he was like the first, he said: "I can hang at the outside edge of the tire on the truck and still stay on the road." The third man was more humble. He said: "I respect the road and that load with great care and danger. I would never get close enough to the edge to find out." Guess who got the job. A radically committed Christian stays as far from the edge of the cliff of sin as he can get. The lukewarm Christian literally dances with the devil and plays with sin like it's some kind of a toy. I honestly don't believe a good share of Christian wannabes will even recognize the antichrist when he comes. The things we accept today in movies and television and just in our daily lives are so much like him. Satan could slip into most people's world without even being noticed.

03:21 And then the Lord will return, and the groans of disappointment will be everywhere. Just a little alcohol won't hurt, just a little marijuana won't hurt. Just a little pornography, it's just the sports illustrated swimsuit issue, it's just the Victoria's Secret one runway models. It's just a little bit of hate. It's just a little bit of anger, just a little bit, just a little bit, just a little bit and Satan's way. And you've seen it and I've seen it. It's like a fishing lure that goes in front of the fish and pretty soon you bite the lure, the treble hook catches you in the mouth. Here's the questions for today. Who is the antichrist and how will we recognize him? And secondly: What are examples of the antichrist's work on earth today? And then thirdly: How do you think you might get caught up in on diluting influences in your life even now? And then the lifeline for the day is this: The Angel of Light as scripture calls Satan makes sin look camouflage. Walking in the light makes him look obvious.