They Were Within

Among God’s people, Jeremiah said wicked men were found laying snares, setting traps for the unwary. These were not outsiders; they were within. They became great and waxed rich, shining in the sight of men but not in the sight of God. Their houses were full of deceit. They cared nothing for the needy or those in genuine spiritual distress. Their focus was money, success, and influence. This was always a warning sign. They led the people with natural strength, not with the covenant-keeping power of God. They knew nothing of a surrendered life or the enabling work of the Holy Spirit. Yet God said, “My people love to have it so.” The tragedy was not only the deception, but the affection for this deception. Ask yourself today, what kind of leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ am I drawn to, and why? It’s time to pray.