Then Absalom would say, “Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice.” 5 And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
The Pied Piper lured the children of Hamlin with sweet music and they were never seen again. Paul warned the elders of Ephesus to watch out for Pipers in Acts 20:30. He called them,
“…men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”
Absalom was handsome and had great hair, perfect for leadership in some people’s eyes. In his rebellion against his father, King David, he knew a flash of his smile would draw people to him.
There are many Absaloms in the American church speaking twisted things to draw people to them, mostly so they can get their money and ruin them financially. That is why it is important for us to know the straight and narrow way, so we don’t get lured onto the twisted one like the children of Hamlin. For that, the answer is simple. Daily Bible reading, joining a solid Bible Study group, and prayer for discernment in the face of false teaching. Praise the Lord that he breathed the Scriptures so we can correct and rebuke those who would twist the word of God!
Dear Lord, thank you for the guidepost of the Bible to keep us from the twisted way of destruction. Help us to discern the attempts to draw us away. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church