Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew

Handling Anonymity!

In the age of the internet and emails, the evil one has made full use of its power. This is the power of influence. The influence is through words. These words come through the internet or handphone in written form or words through telephone or pictures through internet sites. These are all meant to influence the mind and attitude one has toward events, people or circumstance. They can be used for good but the little good these methods of influence have, are devastatingly outweighed by the harm and destruction these have brought to countless lives and relationships. Once a thought enters into the mind of a person, it has the power to influence. It can either edify i.e. build up a person or it destroys. This is the power of words. The saying "that the pen is mightier than the sword" is very true. The believer is charged by God to renew his mind after salvation (cf. Romans 12:1-2). The reason is that when the sinner becomes a believer, his mind is still filled with the philosophies of the world. If he came to know Christ at the age of 30, he has 30 years of worldly influence to remove from his mind. The perfect Word of God is the only cleansing agent that can reach the mind and clean it of all its worldly filth. Little by little through the listening of and obedience to the Word of God, his mind will slowly be transformed. The old will be replaced by the new. He begins to experience what it is like to have the mind of Christ guiding him in all his relationships in life as he witnesses for Christ. However, as this happens, the influence of the world fights against this renewing influence of the Word of God in the believer's mind. This persists as long as the believer serves God in this world where Satan is god. New worldly influence will try to push out the Word of God and make the believer worldly in his thinking again so that Satan can use him to stumble others. There is no weapon more useful and effective to Satan than a truly born again believer under the influence of the world!

Words are indeed very powerful. They form ideas and pictures in the minds of men, women and children. Beware of what you read and listen to. The ones who destroy usually hide behind anonymity.

A witness and not a ghost -- Why would a person hide behind anonymity? It is shady. That person is probably afraid. Afraid of being found out that he is a deceitful coward! Afraid that what he is saying is false when he is questioned. Nothing good can come out of hiding ones identity. These people dare not own up to what they are writing or saying. They are frightened that the light of truth will expose the darkness in their souls and minds. So they hide behind a faceless and nameless pseudonym like a ghost. Most of the time they use a noble and "light" like pseudonym to sound noble and truthful. Perhaps this is done to soothe their own conscience by deceiving themselves into thinking that what they are doing is "right." They know that what they are doing is wrong. That is why they hide. A Christian must not act on any form of anonymous information. Some reasons include:-
· Once you start you become a puppet – If you listen to faceless information and act on them, more will come. These evil people will use you to hurt others. They know that you are gullible. You will do their dirty work;
· You encourage evil – If you act on what is given to you anonymously, you encourage these evil ones to do more evil. They know that it is effective;
· You become a false witness – when you make a judgement based upon a one sided information you have failed yourself and God by not investigation fairly and justly, You are not able listen to both sides because the person is anonymous.

Leaders in the church must not act on any information that is given anonymously. This is the non-negotiable policy of the BOE. If the BOE were to act on every anonymous information it receives, the BOE will be bogged down by "charging" members with all sorts of allegations. Then the BOE will have no time to do anything spiritual. This is exactly what the evil one wants to accomplish! The church will become a place of witch hunters! Eye witnesses are necessary before anyone or anything is investigated. Matthew 18:15-17 "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." Also 1 Timothy 5:19-20 "Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear." [Emphases added] The world will have her methods like "whistle blower" policy. But the church is not the world. Things must to be done in the light and according to Holy Scriptures. WE point out the sins in other believes because we love them and do not want them to remain in sin. The image of Christ is tarnished by this believer who lives in sin. That is why it is important for witnesses and not anonymous cowards whose motives are probably wicked and evil.

God’s warning -- The evil purpose of those who hide behind anonymity is captured by God in Proverbs 26:20-28 "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. 27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. 28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin." [Emphasis added] Let us break down this passage into parts for a better understanding of the danger of evil words:-

· 20 -- Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. – The person wants to start a fire and destroy lives. The spiritual well being of the person who receives such "tales" and those under his care will be at stake. They cannot stand it when there is no fire. They cannot accept the peace that is in your life. They must light something. Don’t let such talebearer succeed.

· 21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. – God calls these people "coals" and "wood." These are the material that keeps fire burning. Without these materials, the fire would burn itself out in no time. But these tale bearers and contentious ones will kindle i.e. incite the passions of others. Do not become a tool of these evil ones. They hide behind anonymity and makes use of others to do their destructive works.

· 22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. – The words of talebearers are deadly. They will wound the person. The mind of the person will be grievously wounded by their lies and deceptions. They go down to the innermost part of the person if the listener is not strong in the Lord and allow such to succeed!

· 23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. – Potsherd is a broken piece of pottery. It is found on the ground covered in dust. When a person looks for silver and he sees something shiny like a piece of potsherd covered with sliver dross, he thinks it is real silver. He picks it up but it is just a piece of worthless broken pottery. This is a good picture of those who speak sweet and "Christian" words which gives the impression that it is "of God." They speak or write with "a fervency of spirituality and nobility" as if they are on the side of God. However, it stems from a wicked heart that is meant to deceive and destroy. They destroy relationships and trust. Brotherly love can easily turn to cold ice because of these deadly words.

· 24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; -- How does one know if the person hates another? It is by the result of their words. They dissembleth i.e. to conceal or to disguise their true agenda by what they say. Their sweet words are coated with honey to disguise the bitter poison behind their words. Those who are taken in by their words i.e. believe them they will be poisoned! Their minds will form false impressions of the truth and of people whom they once respected. This is what false words will do. Their purpose is to "layeth up deceit." The ones who eat their words will be deceived by them. This is the snare. Such people do not really love the ones they deceive, for they actually hate them!

· 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. – Beware of the soft spoken person who also possesses a demeanour of "humility." He dresses like a Christian. He speaks Christian words. He bows humbly when he speaks to you. These are features that can deceive one into thinking that they are harmless and are on the side of Christ. Listen carefully to their words. If they do not build you up in the faith but brings you down where your walk with God turns cold and your faith in God’s perfect Word begins to weaken then beware, this man is not of God. In fact God warns that there are seven abominations in his heart. The number seven here refers to completeness. There is no room for doubt that his intentions are good even though he may say so with his mouth. His heart is filled to the brim with abominations.

· 26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. – The hatred of the person who speaks fair words but has a heart filled with abomination covers his hatred by deceit. They pretend to be friendly to deceive by their friendly demeanour and words of praise. But it is a farce to hide their hatred from the victim. When these people make use of others and take advantage of their trust in them, they actually hate them. They will be exposed in time to come. But then the damage would have been done to many lives.

· 27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. – The ones who dig a pit to snare others will fall into it themselves. How is this possible. This is possible because the LORD always takes care of His own. He protects them just as He protected Mordecai and the Jews in the time of Queen Esher. Haman the wicked Agagite wanted to destroy all the Jews because of his hatred of Mordecai. He built a gallows to hang Mordecai, Instead he was hung on the same gallows he built! This is poetic justice. The LORD always watches over His own. The enemies who tried to bring down God’s faithful servants and children who are doing God’s will be dealt with. They are not attacking God’s children but God Himself. They are not hindering the believer's work but God’s work! When they role a stone to crush God’s servants or to destroy God’s work, it will return upon these workers of evil.

· 28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. – Be careful not to be deceived by lies. Check before you believe. These so called "friends" who whisper lies hates you. The will afflict i.e. crush you. Your faith and trust in God and God’s Word and God's people will be destroyed. Do not let them crush your spiritual life. They are not your friends. True friends help you draw closer to God and not farther away from God. The way they succeed is by flattery. Many strong men have fallen for flattery from time immemorial. This effective and deadly device is still being used today by one who calls himself your friend. Their aim is to ruin your walk with God and take away the peace you once have with your brothers and sister in Christ. It is now ruined because you succumbed to their lies uttered through flattering lips!

The LORD hates those who sow discord -- One of the things that the LORD hate is "he that soweth discord among brethren." He calls these evil ones an abomination. Proverbs 6:16-19 "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." The worst is the seventh sin – "soweth discord among brethren." Mass email by anonymous people is one of the most common methods used today to accomplish this evil. It is cheap. They hope that the ones who receive them are naive enough to believe the lies. This person who spread lies could very well be seated across your table smiling at you and asking if you have received such an anonymous email. The way to stop such ruination of lives is to desist from discussing it. To spread such evil is to fall into the wicked scheme of the diabolical one. Be of good cheer and keep on trusting the Lord.

A spiritual warfare – When a believer receives an anonymous message, he is under spiritual attack. He is now confronted by a choice to read or discard. If he reads, will he be influenced? If he reads, will he believe or ignore? A personal testimony – as a pastor, I have received anonymous email regarding individuals. I realized that if I were to take action based upon every anonymous email that is sent, then I could easily become a pawn of Satan poking into every individual’s life. Lives will be hurt when confronted of sin that they did not even commit because of anonymous emails or phone calls. Furthermore, there will no time left to prepare sermons or to do other ministries. The policy is to delete and ignore.

That there are such manipulative people out there in the world is an obvious conclusion. But when such people try to invade into your life is a reality that demands a biblical protection. Develop for yourself a biblical principle to protect yourself from these subtle invasions. All anonymous emails or phone calls must not be entertained or read. They will be deleted immediately. It is a waste of time to read them. It is also important to not to take action even when you know the person who shares. That person must be prepared to put it in writing with all the details concerning the case such as date, time, place, other witnesses, etc. If he does not, then the matter will be forgotten. No action should be taken. If actions were taken based upon the person’s word, what happens if the person changes his mind and denies everything? Satan is a cunning devil who must not be underestimated. Obeying the Bible at all costs as the only basis for all decisions made. This is the only weapon against such a wily one. Ephesians 6:11-12 "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

The Bible gave a very wise instruction when it comes to evaluating information that hurts lives -- Deuteronomy 17:2-4 "If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant, 3 And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded; 4 And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and inquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel." [Emphasis added] No man is above the law of God. All must be evaluated according to God’s Word and based upon genuine eye witnesses not faceless cowards. But let all things be done according to the light of God's holy and perfect Truth and not under the cloak of darkness.

Conclusion – Since the fall of man, believers and unbelievers on earth have been forced to choose only two options . . . the words of the evil one and man or the perfect Word of God! David faced the same in his life. Psalm 12:1-8 "To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. 2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. 3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: 4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? 5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. 6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. 8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted." The man of God has to choose -- to listen and be influenced by the words of man or the perfect Word of God! The Word of God brings peace and righteousness and joy in the Holy Spirit whereas the words of men bring death, pain and destruction! The bombardment from the world rings even louder today through the internet and emails. There is no room in any home that has not been invaded by this menace! The agenda is to influence the mind to go against God and His perfect and holy Word. They do so by means of "fair" words that has the ring of biblical truth because they couched their words in Scriptural phrases but they speak like the dragon of old. They have "two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." (Rev 13:11)

Let the perfect Word of God be the only guide to make all decisions in life. This will ensure that you will always be right and still tread on the narrow way that leads to the narrow gate. When you enter in, eternal life awaits you. The image of Christ that you bear depends on it. Beware of those whose words are written or spoken anonymously. They are not of God. They hide in order to deceive. Do not be deceived by them. It will ruin your spiritual life. Psalm 64:10 "The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory." And Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Amen.