In the church, are there those who have believed in God for many years and yet do not pursue the truth at all, and always pursue status and reputation? What are the manifestations of such people? Would you say that this type of person is someone who always puts themselves on display, who is apt to come up with original thoughts and spout high-sounding ideas? What kinds of things do they often do? (Someone expresses their point of view, and to everyone else it seems right, but to show how brilliant they are, this person comes out with a different point of view, which people will feel is even more right, and which will repudiate the first person’s point of view, thus showing how brilliant they are.) This is called showing off. They reject other people’s views, and then come out with their own unique perspective, one that even they don’t feel is realistic or valid—a mere slogan—yet they have to show people how brilliant they are and make everyone listen to them. They always have to be different, they always have to come up with original thoughts, they are always spouting high-sounding ideas, and no matter how feasible and practicable what other people say is, they have to vote against it, and find various reasons and excuses to abnegate other people’s viewpoints. These are the most common behaviors of people who try to come up with original thoughts and spout high-sounding ideas. Regardless of how correct or appropriate someone’s actions were, they will dismiss and ignore them. Even though they clearly know that this person acted appropriately, they still say that their actions weren’t appropriate, and make it sound as if they could have done a better job, and that they are absolutely not second to that person. People like this think that nobody is as good as they are, that they are better than other people in all respects. To them, everything that other people say is incorrect; other people are worthless, and they themselves are good in every respect. Even if they do something wrong and get pruned, they will be unwilling to submit, they will not accept the truth at all, and they may also come out with a pile of excuses, which make others think they didn’t make a mistake, and that they shouldn’t have been pruned. People who like coming up with original thoughts and spouting high-sounding ideas are arrogant and self-righteous in this way. Actually, the vast majority of these people lack real talent, and can’t do anything well, whatever they do becomes a complete shambles. But they have no self-knowledge, and they think that they are better than other people, and they dare to interfere and get involved with whatever other people are doing, and keep spouting high-sounding ideas, always wanting others to esteem them and listen to them. No matter what the situation, or what group they are in, they only want others to serve them and listen to them; they don’t want to serve or listen to anyone else. Aren’t these antichrists? This is how arrogant and self-righteous antichrists are; this is how lacking in reason they are. They only speak about specious doctrines, and if other people point out their mistakes, they have to twist words and logic, and speak in a false, pleasant-sounding way, to make people feel that they are right. No matter how correct somebody else’s opinion is, antichrists will use an eloquent manner of speaking to make it sound incorrect, and get everyone to accept their own opinion. Antichrists are people of this sort—they are exceptionally capable of misleading others, they can mislead them to the point that they are thrown into confusion, disorientated, and no longer know right from wrong. In the end, all those who lack discernment will be thoroughly misled and taken captive by these antichrists. There are people who mislead others like this in most churches. When God’s chosen people are fellowshipping the truth or sharing their experiential testimony, antichrists always stand up and express their own views. They do not open up their hearts to fellowship on their experience and knowledge in a candid way; instead, they always point things out and make critical, irresponsible remarks about other people’s experiences and knowledge, to show off how smart they are, and achieve their aim of getting others to esteem them. Antichrists are most skilled at speaking about words and doctrines; they can never share true experiential testimony, and they never talk about self-knowledge. Instead, they are always looking for problems in other people and making a big fuss about them. You never see antichrists accepting other people’s opinions with open minds, or proactively fellowshipping on their own corrupt dispositions and laying themselves bare to others. You certainly don’t see them fellowshipping on what erroneous and absurd views they harbored, and how they turned them around, and you absolutely don’t hear them acknowledging the mistakes they’ve made or their shortcomings…. Regardless of how long antichrists interact with others, they always make other people feel that they don’t have any corruption, that they were born saints and perfect people, and that others should worship them. People who truly possess reason aren’t willing to be esteemed or worshiped by others. If other people really esteem and worship them, they find this shameful, because they know they are corrupt humans with corrupt dispositions, and that they don’t possess the truth realities. They know their own measure, so whatever corruption they reveal, and whatever mistaken views they produce, they can fellowship on these things candidly and let others know about them, and doing this makes them feel very relaxed, liberated, and happy. They do not feel that it is difficult to do this at all. Even if other people judge them, look down on them, call them stupid, or despise them, they don’t feel very upset. On the contrary, they feel that this is very normal, and they can approach it correctly. Because people have corrupt dispositions, they will naturally reveal corruption. Regardless of whether you acknowledge it or not, this is a fact. If you can recognize your own corruption, that’s a good thing, and it’s even better if others can see it clearly, that way they won’t worship or esteem you. People who understand the truth and possess a bit of reason can open up their hearts and fellowship about knowing themselves; they do not find this difficult. But this is very difficult for antichrists. They view those who open up in a pure way as idiots, and view those who talk about their self-knowledge and speak honestly as foolish. Therefore, antichrists completely look down on those people. If someone can understand the truth and everyone particularly approves of them, antichrists will see that person as a nail in their eyes and a thorn in their sides, and they will judge and condemn them. They will refute the correct practices and positive things possessed by that person, and make them sound like incorrect and distorted understanding. No matter who does something that benefits the church or the brothers and sisters, antichrists will think of ways to belittle, mock, and ridicule them; no matter how good the thing they did was, or how much it benefited people, antichrists won’t think it’s worth mentioning, and they’ll trivialize it and minimize it, diminishing it to the point that it appears completely worthless. Whereas, if antichrists do a bit of something good, they will do their utmost to exaggerate and enlarge it, to make everyone see it, know that they did it, and that it was their meritorious service, so that the brothers and sisters regard them with special respect, bear them in mind constantly, feel very grateful toward them, and remember what’s good about them. All antichrists are capable of acting in this way, as are those who possess the disposition of antichrists. In this respect, antichrists are no different from the hypocritical Pharisees; in fact, they are worse than them. These are the most common and obvious typical manifestations of antichrists.

What attitude do antichrists harbor when they do things? They want to do good things in front of others, and they want to do bad things in secret. They want everyone to know about the good things they do, and to cover up all of the bad things so that no one will find out about them, to the point that not a single word of it will get out, and they feel compelled to do their utmost to hide them. This disposition of antichrists is disgusting, isn’t it? What is the purpose of antichrists acting this way? (It’s to safeguard their reputation and status.) That’s right. On the surface, they seem to not be competing for status or saying anything for the sake of status, but everything they do and say is for the sake of protecting and retaining their status, and for the sake of possessing high prestige and a good name. Sometimes they even strive for status within a group without letting anyone see that they are doing so. Even if they do a recommendation for someone, that is, carrying out a few of the sorts of things they should do, they want to make the person they recommended feel very grateful to them, and make them know that they only had the opportunity to perform this duty because of their recommendation. Antichrists won’t ever miss this sort of opportunity. They think, “Even though I recommended you, I am still your leader, so you can’t surpass me.” Antichrists’ passion for status and reputation is quite evident. To compete for and safeguard status, they do not overlook a single glance or a single inadvertent word from anyone, much less anything that happens in any corner. Antichrists notice all these things, big or small, and the words that other people have spoken play over and over again in their minds. What is their purpose in doing this? Do they enjoy getting into arguments? No; it’s that they want to find in all this a way and an opportunity to protect their own status. They do not want their status or name to suffer losses due to some momentary negligence or carelessness. For the sake of status, they have learned how to gain “insight” into everything; whenever a brother or sister says anything that they feel is disrespectful or expresses an opinion that conflicts with their own, they do not let it go; they take it seriously, carrying out detailed research and deep analysis, and then find a corresponding response to deal with what they said, to the point where their status is solidly established in everyone’s minds and absolutely unshakable. The moment their name is damaged or they hear some words that are detrimental to it, they will quickly track down the source and try to find excuses and rationalizations with which to redeem themselves. Therefore, no matter what duties antichrists are doing, regardless of whether they are acting as leaders and workers or not, every single thing they busy themselves with and every single word they utter is for the sake of their status, and cannot be separated from their desire to protect their interests. In the depths of antichrists’ hearts, they have no concept whatsoever of practicing the truth or protecting the interests of God’s house. Therefore, the essence of antichrists can be accurately defined as follows: They are enemies of God; they are a pack of devils and Satans that have come to disturb, disrupt, and destroy the work of God’s house. They are Satan’s lackeys; they are not people who follow God, nor are they members of God’s house, nor are they the objects of God’s salvation.

Have you felt moved by any of the things we’ve fellowshipped on today? Which part moved you? (The last part, that is, when God dissected the competitive nature of antichrists.) It’s not a good thing to always be competing. This behavior is linked to antichrists and to destruction. It is not a good path. What should people do when they possess these manifestations and revelations? What choice should they make? How should they avoid these things? These are the problems that people should think about and ponder on the most now, and they are also problems that people encounter every day. How they can refrain from competing when things happen, and how they should resolve the pain and uneasiness in their heart after they compete—this is a problem that every person must face. People have corrupt dispositions, so they all compete for prestige, profit, and face, and it’s difficult for them to refrain from competing. Then, if a person does not compete, does it mean they have gotten rid of the disposition and essence of antichrists? (No, that is just a surface-level phenomenon. If their inner disposition is not resolved, then the problem of them walking the path of antichrists cannot be resolved.) So, how can the problem of them walking the path of antichrists be resolved? (In one respect, they must understand this matter, and come before God to pray when they reveal thoughts of striving for status. Furthermore, they must lay themselves bare to the brothers and sisters, and then consciously rebel against these incorrect thoughts. They must also ask for God to judge, chastise, prune, and discipline them. Then they will be able to embark on the correct path.) That’s quite a good answer. However, this is not easy to achieve, and it’s even harder for those who love reputation and status too much. Letting go of reputation and status isn’t easy—it depends on people pursuing the truth. Only by understanding the truth can one come to know oneself, see clearly the emptiness of seeking fame, gain and status, and see clearly the truth of mankind’s corruption. Only when a person truly comes to know themselves can they abandon status and reputation. It’s not easy to cast off one’s corrupt disposition. If you have recognized that you lack the truth, are beset with deficiencies, and reveal too much corruption, yet you put no effort into pursuing the truth, and you disguise yourself and engage in hypocrisy, leading people to believe that you can do anything, then this will put you in danger—and sooner or later, there will come a time when you will hit a roadblock and fall. You must admit that you don’t have the truth, and be brave enough to face reality. You have weaknesses, reveal corruption, and are beset with all manner of inadequacies. This is normal, because you’re a regular person, you’re not superhuman or omnipotent, and you must recognize that. When other people scorn or satirize you, don’t immediately react with antipathy because what they say is unpleasant, or resist it because you believe yourself to be capable and perfect—this shouldn’t be your attitude toward such words. What should your attitude be? You should say to yourself, “I have my faults, everything about me is corrupt and flawed, and I’m simply an ordinary person. Their scorn and satirizing of me notwithstanding, is there any truth to it? If part of what they say is true, then I must accept it from God.” If you have this attitude, it is proof that you are capable of handling status, reputation, and what other people say about you correctly. Status and reputation are not easily put aside. For those who are somewhat gifted, have some degree of caliber, or are possessed of some work experience, putting these things aside is even harder. Though they may sometimes claim to have put them aside, they cannot do so in their hearts. As soon as the situation permits and they have the opportunity, they will go on striving for fame, gain, and status as they did before, because all corrupt humans love these things, it’s just that those who don’t possess gifts or talents have a slightly weaker desire to pursue status. Those who possess knowledge, talent, good-looks, and special capital, have a particularly strong desire for reputation and status, to the extent that they are filled with this ambition and desire. This is the hardest thing for them to put aside. When they have no status, their desire is in the nascent stage. Once they acquire status, when the house of God entrusts them with some important task, and particularly if they have worked for many years and have a lot of experience and capital, the desire is no longer nascent, but has already taken root, blossomed, and is about to bear fruit. If a person has the constant desire and ambition to do great things, to become famous, to become some great figure, then as soon as they commit a great evil, and its consequences take effect, they’ll be completely finished, and eliminated. And so, before this leads to great calamity, they must quickly turn the situation around, while there’s still time. Whenever you do anything, and in whatever context, you must seek truth, practice being someone who is honest and obedient to God, and put aside the pursuit of status and reputation. When you have the constant thought and desire to compete for status, then you must realize what bad things this kind of state will lead to if left unsolved. So waste no time in searching for the truth, overcome your desire to compete for status while it is in the nascent stage, and replace it with practicing the truth. When you practice the truth, your desire and ambition to compete for status will be diminished, and you will not disturb the work of the church. In this way, your actions will be remembered and approved of by God. So what am I trying to emphasize? It is this: You must rid yourself of your desires and ambitions before they flower, come to fruition, and lead to great calamity. If you don’t address them while they are still in their infancy, you will miss a great opportunity; and once they have led to great calamity, it will be too late to solve them. If you lack even the will to rebel against the flesh, it will be very difficult for you to set foot upon the path of pursuing the truth; if you encounter setbacks and failure in your pursuit of fame, gain, and status, and you do not come to your senses, then this is dangerous: There is a possibility that you will be eliminated. When those who love the truth encounter one or two failures and setbacks in terms of their reputation and status, they can see clearly that reputation and status have no value at all. They are able to utterly forsake status and reputation, and resolve that, even if they never possess status, they will still continue to pursue the truth and perform their duty properly, and share their experiential testimony, and thereby achieve the result of bearing testimony to God. Even when they are ordinary followers, they are still capable of following to the very end, and all they want is to receive God’s approval. Only these are people who genuinely love the truth and have resolve. The house of God has eliminated many antichrists and evil people, and some who pursue the truth, after seeing the failure of antichrists, reflect on the path that those people took, and also reflect on and know themselves. From this, they gain an understanding of God’s intention, resolve to be ordinary followers, and focus on pursuing the truth and doing their duty well. Even if God says they are service-doers or lowly nobodies, it’s fine by them. They will just try to be lowly people, and small, insignificant followers in God’s eyes, who will ultimately end up being called acceptable created beings by God. People like this are the good ones and those that God approves of.

God likes people who pursue the truth, and the people He loathes the most are those who pursue fame, gain, and status. Some people really cherish status and reputation, are deeply attached to them, can’t bear to give them up. They always feel that without status and reputation there is no joy or hope in living, that there is only hope in this life when they are living for status and reputation, and even if they have a bit of renown, they will carry on fighting, never giving up. If this is the thought and view you have, if your heart is filled with such things, then you are incapable of loving and pursuing the truth, you lack the right direction and aims in your faith in God, and are incapable of pursuing the knowledge of yourself, casting off corruption and living out the image of man; you let things slide when doing your duty, you are devoid of any sense of responsibility, and are satisfied only with not committing evil, not causing disturbance, not being cleared out. Could such people do their duty to an acceptable standard? And could they be saved by God? Impossible. When you act for the sake of reputation and status, you even think, “As long as what I do isn’t an evil deed and doesn’t constitute a disturbance, then even if my motive is wrong, no one can see it or condemn me.” You do not know that God scrutinizes all. If you do not accept or practice the truth, and are spurned by God, it is all over for you. All who do not have God-fearing hearts think themselves smart; in fact, they do not even know when they have offended Him. Some people do not see these things clearly; they think, “I only pursue reputation and status in order to do more, to take on more responsibility. It doesn’t constitute a disruption or disturbance to the church’s work, and it certainly doesn’t damage the interests of God’s house. It’s not a major problem. I simply love status and protect my status, but that’s not an evil act.” On its surface, such a pursuit may seem not to be an act of evil, but what does it lead to in the end? Will such people gain the truth? Will they achieve salvation? Absolutely not. Therefore, pursuing reputation and status is not the right path—it runs in exactly the opposite direction of the pursuit of the truth. In sum, regardless of what the direction or target of your pursuit is, if you do not reflect on the pursuit of status and reputation, and if you find it very difficult to put these things aside, then they will affect your life entry. As long as status has a place in your heart, it will totally control and influence your life’s direction and the goals you strive for, in which case it will be very difficult for you to enter the truth reality, to say nothing of achieving changes in your disposition; whether you are ultimately able to gain God’s approval, of course, goes without saying. What’s more, if you are never able to put aside your pursuit of status, this will affect your ability to adequately do your duty, which will make it very difficult for you to become an acceptable created being. Why do I say this? God loathes nothing more than when people pursue status, because the pursuit of status is a satanic disposition, it is a wrong path, it is born of the corruption of Satan, it is something condemned by God, and it is the very thing that God judges and purifies. God loathes nothing more than when people pursue status, and yet you still mulishly compete for status, you unfailingly cherish and protect it, always trying to take it for yourself. And in nature, is all of this not antagonistic to God? Status is not ordained for people by God; God provides people with the truth, the way, and the life, and ultimately makes them become an acceptable created being, a small and insignificant created being—not someone who has status and prestige and is revered by thousands of people. And so, no matter what perspective it is viewed from, the pursuit of status is a dead end. No matter how reasonable your excuse for pursuing status is, this path is still the wrong one, and is not approved of by God. No matter how hard you try or how great the price you pay, if you desire status, God will not give it to you; if it’s not given by God, you will fail in fighting to obtain it, and if you keep fighting there will only be one outcome: You will be revealed and eliminated, and you will meet with a dead end. You understand this, yes?

March 7, 2020