Watch Out for Those Who
are Given to Change
My
son, fear thou the Lord and the
king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: 22 For their calamity shall rise
suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
Proverbs 24:21-22 (KJV)
It is very dangerous to surround oneself with those who are given to
change: that is those who love change, change things constantly, and are
fickle. This is not referring to necessary changes we must make in our lives
and work to survive and manage efficiently, but on changing for the sake of
change. There are people who simply go one way and then the next: they change
so much that they are never consistent or constant in anything; they have no stability.
Fear the Lord and do not meddle with these people! Know that God’s
warning is warning enough and heed it. For their calamity will arise suddenly.
They will eventually be ruined! Businesses that constantly change and have not
stability are doomed to destruction. They may “succeed” for a while, but their end
is sure. Why should be ruined along with those who are given to change because
of your associations with them? Run! Be alert and do not go near them.
In the institution of the American church today, constant change is going
on: change to be more relevant, to get more people to come in, to be more
attractive to the world. Beware, these “environments of change” will lead to
calamity. The Church of Jesus Christ is about Faith in the Lord and Love for
the Brethren. It is not wrong to have some ministries and such, but when our
focus is so much on our buildings, programs, and appearance, instead of on the
Lord, WE WILL FALL! The Scripture puts it clearly:
Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it:
except the Lord keep the city, the
watchman waketh but in vain. 2 It is vain for you to
rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he
giveth his beloved sleep.
Psalms 127:1-2 (KJV)
many false prophets shall
rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax
cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto
the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And
this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness
unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matt 24:11-14 (KJV)
For there shall arise
false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders;
insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Matt 24:24 (KJV)
And at midnight there was
a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose,
and trimmed their lamps. 8 And
the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone
out. 9 But the wise answered, saying,
Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to
them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they
that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other
virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you
not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know
neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matt 25:6-13 (KJV)
But there were false prophets also
among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily
shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and
bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their
pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And
through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you:
whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth
not.
2 Peter 2:1-3 (KJV)
Having eyes full of adultery,
and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have
exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 Which
have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the
son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness
2 Peter 2:14-15 (KJV)
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the
world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are
again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than
the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the
way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the
holy commandment delivered unto them.
2 Peter 2:20-21 (KJV)
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus,
and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to
him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia,
after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving
the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which
befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back
nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have
taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying
both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in
the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save
that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions
abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my
life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the
ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the
grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have
gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore
I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the
counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the
flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the
church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For
I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you,
not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking
perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore
watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn
every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend
you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to
give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33 I
have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea,
ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and
to them that were with me. 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye
ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he
said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:17-35 (KJV)
Nevertheless I have somewhat
against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence
thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto
thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou
repent.
Rev 2:4-5 (KJV)
Fear none of those things
which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into
prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou
faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Rev 2:10 (KJV)
But I have a few things
against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam,
who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat
things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that
hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight
against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto
the churches
Rev 2:14-17 (KJV)
Notwithstanding I have a
few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which
calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit
fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent
of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit
adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 And I will kill her children
with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the
reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your
works.
Rev 2:20-23 (KJV)
Be
watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I
have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold
fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a
thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled
their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same
shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the
book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his
angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 3:2-6 (KJV)
Because thou hast kept the
word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which
shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold
that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my
God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God,
and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh
down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
13 He that hath an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 3:10-13 (KJV)
So then because thou art
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am
rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that
thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou
mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that
the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,
that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke
and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Rev 3:16-19 (KJV)
