10/17/26 THE LOSS IS TERRIBLE
It is tragic beyond words when a parent loses a child to drugs, to a life of crime, to perversion, to an act of violence, to a disease, to suicide, or even to the popular, but "respectable" sins that turn someone from God, such as success in finances, vocation, profession, academia, entertainment, politics, athletics. Success can be impressive, but deceptive and destructive at the same time. It is gut wrenching to see them drift off into destruction.
But there is a loss that few people talk about, and that is when a child who has heard the gospel and abandons the way of the cross for a counterfeit spiritual experience or a misguided ministry. They will not seek or accept spiritual help, reproof, correction, instruction or loving leadership. They "know it all" and they not only turn their back on truth, but they also turn their back on the ones who can lead them back to truth.
It is worse for the person who turns from the "Old Paths" to proclaim a different gospel, different Jesus and a different Spirit. It is worse because the person who turns from the truth to an obvious sin is aware that he or she needs to reject their dark rebellion. But the person who sells out to the lies of a false belief (whether an established system or a personally developed error), thinks he or she is actually doing the will and work of God. There is often no turning back to truth.
The prodigal may realize his shame and rebellion, but the person who is certain of his or her own value and beliefs are less likely to repent. Their pride, like that of Lucifer, binds them with false hope and arrogant self-orientation.
It is also another layer of condemnation because the self-proclaimed MINISTER is misleading and defiling gullible followers (as well as their own children), and they are also blaspheming Jesus, Whom they are misrepresenting, and they are injuring, wrecking and defaming their Christian family and friends and Biblical heritage. They are misleading the gullible, blaspheming God and slandering actual believers who love them.
Sadly, the faithful father and mother vainly watch the empty road, leave the light on the porch, the door ajar, and wait with open arms for the children that they loved, they fed, they clothed, they protected, they sacrificed for, they poured their best into and they gave them as much light of Christ as they could, but the rebellious one only moves further from family and Christ.
Unhappily, some of the gullible followers of these "wandering stars" will also lose their own walk with Christ (at least for a while) and they will lose close family members to the charlatans, before they finally realize that they have been duped by a false witness. Worse yet, some will never find out that they have been duped, and will lose their souls and their children. They will believe the lies that the Pied Piper proclaims, and they will become part of the darkness, disruption and deception.
Be wise. Be watchful. Be willing to turn them back to the Bible. You will know, if you listen carefully to their words and their attitudes.
