Galatians 4:17
17 They zealously affect [zeloo] you [humas], but not [ou] well [kalos]; yea [alla], they would [thelo] exclude
[ekkleio] you [humas], that [hina] ye might
affect [zeloo] them [autos]. KJV-Interlinear
17 They eagerly seek you, not
commendably, but they wish to shut you out, in order that you may seek them. NASB
The agenda of the false teacher or false leader,
whether they be in a social setting or an academic setting or a business
setting or a political setting, is to persuade and convince a naïve public that
they have their best interest at heart and that their policies and plans are
the best available for everyone.
The real objective of the false leader is to keep
the public naïve, to win them over to their way of thinking, and once they have
the public committed, then leave them to their own devices and dependent on
their leadership.
The false leader is selfish and self-centered,
really does not have the interest of the public in view, and is only interested
in his own advancement and position in society.
And so Paul tells us here quite clearly, that they,
the false teachers, will be zealous and effusive with their compliments in
order to convince everyone that listens to them, of the authenticity and
authority of what they have to say.
Their objective is to win over those who will
listen. And then, when people accept what they have to say and subscribed to
it, and in effect promote the speaker who is the false leader, to a position of
authority. In this way the general public becomes dependent on that leader, and
that is what he wants.
You see this form of leadership in politics and in
the many leaders throughout the world, in our current day. You see this form of
leadership in religion, with its attempt to draw people in to its rituals and
beliefs and commitments.
Christianity is not a religion, it is a
relationship to God through Christ. Christianity recognizes God’s plan, that
God does all the work, and that man is a beneficiary of everything that God
does.
Religion, promotes man above God, and looks to mans
efforts and to man’s definitions of what is or is not acceptable, of who is and
who is not a worthy member. Religion promotes mans works, mans efforts, and
defines beliefs that meet and match all of mans conveniences or desires or
lusts. Religion draws people in with enticements, all of which lead nowhere. Religion plays favorites and makes exceptions
on the fly.
Politics is a very subtle form of religion with
regard to the liberal nature that politics can take. It promises something for
nothing, benefits without obligation, freedoms without responsibility. And once
people choose this route, then they become slaves to the very system that they
joyously voted into place.
Evil people in the world fall into two categories.
The first category includes the deceivers, while the second category includes
the large masses of those that are deceived.
The deceivers know what they’re doing and they do
it on purpose. They promote an idealism that does not exist and is impossible
to attain, but sounds really good.
The deceived, do not attempt to sort out the truth,
but pursue empty promises just the same. They look for the easy way, and they
look for the quick way, and they close their eyes to the trap that they are
headed for.
Paul warns the Galatians that the Judaizers are
leading them astray with their false teaching of works. And the path of works
is a self-righteous path which pursues a prize that does not exist, or is a
path that leads to certain ruin.
Satan formed both of these approaches so that a naïve
world could be controlled in order for him to defeat God. Everyone then becomes expendable.
