sf writes:
WT 15 Feb 2004 p16
Guard Against Deception by Apostates
6 Satan has long used apostates in his efforts to seduce God?s servants. (Matthew 13:36-39) Apostates may claim to worship Jehovah and to believe the Bible, but they reject the visible part of his organization. Some even return to the God-dishonoring doctrines of "Babylon the Great," the world empire of false religion. (Revelation 17:5; 2 Peter 2:19-22) Under divine inspiration, the Bible writers used strong words to expose the motives and methods of apostates.
7 What is it that apostates want? Most are not content to leave the faith that they once perhaps viewed as true. Often, they want to take others with them. Rather than going out and making their own disciples, many apostates seek to "draw away the disciples [that is, Christ?s disciples] after themselves." (Acts 20:29,30) Regarding false teachers, the apostle Paul sounded this urgent warning: "Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry you off as his prey." (Colossians 2:8) Does that not describe what many apostates try to do? Like a kidnapper who carries an unsuspecting victim away from his family, apostates prey upon trusting members of the congregation, seeking to carry them away from the flock.
8 What methods do apostates use to achieve their aim? They often resort to distortions, half-truths, and outright falsehoods. Jesus knew that his followers would be victimized by those who would "tell all kinds of evil lies against" them. (Matthew 5:11, Today?s English Version) Such malicious opposers would tell what is not true with the intent to deceive others. The apostle Peter warned against apostates who would use ""counterfeit words," spread "deceptive teachings," and ?twist the Scriptures? to their own ends. (2 Peter 2:3, 13; 3:16) Sadly, apostates succeed in "subverting the faith of some."?2 Timothy 2:18
9 How can we guard against being deceived by apostates? By heeding the advice from God?s Word, which says: "Keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them." (Romans 16:17) We "avoid them" by steering clear of their reasoning?whether in person, in printed form, or on the Internet. Why do we take such a stand? First, because God?s Word directs us to do so, and we trust that Jehovah always has our best interests at heart.?Isaiah 48:17,18.
Thanks for posting this reference. I may need to use it in the very near future.
Cheers, Scully