Be not deceived, there will be times of controversy and criticism in your christian walk. There are all manner of cults running about trying to get people to believe all manner of doctrines. Some are well known and some are hidden, only open to a select few.

The reason for this message is to in-lighten all who read this to be watchful and careful, who they bless and who they listen to.

Jesus had Criticism and Controversy in His ministry. Most of it, but not all, came from the Jews hierarchy. His messages came from the heart and knowledge of the Spirit of God. His doctrine upset all manner of laws and doctrines, that were from men and not from God. Don't misunderstand He never contradicted the Mosaic Law only the doctrines that the Jews had added by themselves, without the authorization from God.

Mat 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Our rewards as christians come from silent obedience. Without shouting, public display of our piety, giving of offerings, donations and tithes. The best example of this is the Jewish Priest at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. They make prayers openly, standing in public praying loudly. This is contrary to the will of God to be secret in our prayers.

The ability's that we receive from the Holy Spirit(Gifts of the Spirit) are to be used without any fan-fair. We are emissaries of Christ and not an entity within ourselves. We seek no Glory nor praise for all praise and Glory belong to God. Remember without God we are nothing. Mat 15:7-9 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. The commandments of men makes us to understand that not all men understand the will of God for His Children, such as preachers condemning all who use computers, women wearing make up, dress codes that are a deterrent for many that are lost to enter into the House of God seeking salvation, excetra.

Many of the commandments of men are contrary to scripture. We have a guide in the Bible and anything that contradicts that is misleading and false. The Bible teaches us how to dress, walk, talk, and observe communion with others. We must start using our spirit to lead our lives. What I want you to understand, is that in Scripture many are just reading the words, not noticing that many of the passages should be LISTENED to. These phrases I speak about are the men of God, Jesus and God Himself speaking. Learn to hear these men, it will make the Bible come to life for you. Open up you spiritual mine and eyes, you can actually hear what is said but also see them speaking.

Does this seem impossible or impractable? It shouldn't. People are always getting into songs, singing along, and getting wrapped up in a movie. So why cant we get wrapped up in our study of scripture? Mat 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
Discerning the signs of the times. Understanding, seeing, noticing, this is what Jesus was stating. Many Christians today are also blind to these signs. Many don't understand and yet many just ignore. Why? I've seen and talked to many that haven't been taught prophecy and others have a hard time with the truth of prophecy. It brings fear and confusion to many. The Bible states that the end days will be full of pain and suffering, this brings thoughts of their own children and loved ones, that are not saved, sights of these people, in pain and hardships. But the truth is truth, we can not alter nor change Gods resolve to end this world of Sin and Unrighteousness, it will come to pass.

Jesus was criticized for His teachings, some of it came from His own disciples. Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? The disciples were extremely leary and bothered by His statements. Doubt came upon them over the salvation of others and even themselves, not understanding what He was teaching. That is the reason that teachers of the Gospel are so important. People are quick to judge what teachers and preachers say, unless they are taught, this will be more prevlent in the ministry.
Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Speaking of false doctrine. When a man believes that he has all wisdom and knowledge into rightiouness, he becomes a danger to not only himself but to those that he teaches. We all must be open to the spirit of truth and reject the spirit of error.

Mat 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Jesus taught us how to pray. Many pray to consume it upon their own lust. A simple prayer is what God desires. Why do I say this? Lets look at what Jesus said about prayer in Mat 6:8, Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Our daily needs are known of God. All we need to do when we pray is thank Him for His provision for us. Not to say that we cannot talk to Him of our need, but that we must speak to Him of our concern of it. God understands.

Mat 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. False Ministers seek other converts who are attracted to their type of religion, even going as far as converting others that believe in the truth. These people will never enter into Gods rest and neither will those that they convert.

Mat 23:16-19. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor ! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

This is understood as to mean, that there are ministers who seek tithes and offerings greater than the salvation of the lost. Making the gift to the church greater than the message of the Gospel. What does the word,FOOL mean? Void of understanding or sound judgment; weak in intellect; applied to general character. Unwise; imprudent; acting without judgment or discretion in particular things. (Ref; But foolish questions avoid. 2 Tim 2.) In scripture it means, wicked; sinful; acting without regard to the divine law and glory, or to one's own eternal happiness. (Ref ; O foolish Galatians - Gal 3.) Proceeding from depravity; sinful; as foolish lusts. (Ref;1 Tim 6.)
The Twofold more the child of hell.

Barnes states; Twofold more the child of hell - That is, twice as bad. To be a child of hell was a Hebrew phrase, signifying to be deserving of hell, to be awfully wicked. The Jewish writers themselves say that the proselytes were scabs of Israel, and hindered the coming of the Messiah by their great wickedness. The Pharisees gained them either to swell their own numbers, or to make gain by extorting their money under various pretences; and when they had accomplished that, they took no pains to instruct them or to restrain them.

They had renounced their superstition which had before somewhat restrained them, but the Pharisees had given them no religion in its place to restrain them, and they were consequently left to the full indulgence of their vices. ars.