"INFILTRATION" THE BIGGEST DANGER TO GOD`S PEOPLE

I was greatly struck with v26 when reading this passage earlier today.
Notice the wicked men are found. They will not be easily discerned but the providence of God will bring about the circumstances by which the true character of these people is revealed to the child of God.

They are patient carefully planning for the day when they can ensnare God`s people.
They can only prosper when God`s people have backslidden to the extent where they are happy with the spiritual,material and political atmosphere in which they find themselves.

JER 5:25-31
25 ¶ Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.
26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
28 They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.

29 Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

I have heard Ivan Foster say on a number of occasions recently, "The situation in Northern Ireland can be seen every time you read the scripures."

This is not his quotation word for word but it does portray the spirit of what I feel he means. It is all true.