05-09-25 part 1: Zits in the Church, Angels of Light, and the God Who Sees Through It All

1. When the Enemy Wears a Name Tag

Dr. Spoon dives into 2 Peter 2 with unflinching clarity, describing false teachers and wolves in sheep’s clothing who feast among the church as though they belong. He humorously but sharply compares them to “zits on the face of faith”—blemishes that seem small but are impossible to ignore. These individuals don’t just act in sin—they celebrate it, openly indulging in deception and manipulation. They connect to the church for social, financial, or strategic gain, not spiritual truth. And the scariest part? They blend in. They look the part. But inwardly, Peter says, their hearts are trained in greed and driven by deception.

2. Satan Doesn’t Wear a Red Suit

Dr. Spoon passionately debunks the cartoonish image of Satan—red horns, pitchfork, cape—and reminds us of the real danger: the enemy comes as an “angel of light.” Borrowing from C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters, he emphasizes Satan’s tactics of stealth and subtlety. The devil isn’t obvious; he’s strategic. Just like in warfare, the enemy operates below radar, infiltrating churches, conversations, and even leadership through flattery, manipulation, and false teaching. Christians must not underestimate the spiritual battle—they must be watchful and discerning, because the real threat often looks like a friend, not a foe.

3. Discernment Isn’t Optional—It’s Armor

Jesus said, “Watch and pray,” not “Ignore and relax.” Dr. Spoon calls the church to maturity—urging believers to develop spiritual discernment. Not paranoia, but awareness. He acknowledges there are “phenomenal, extraordinary people in every church,” but also warns that the enemy plants his own. Christians must learn to spiritually assess what can’t be seen with the natural eye. Just because someone talks Christian doesn’t mean they walk with Christ. The gift of discernment is essential, and believers should be praying for it daily. It’s not about fear—it’s about readiness in a world where deception wears a smile.

4. Jesus Didn’t Seek Approval—Neither Should We

Wrapping with a challenge and comfort, Dr. Spoon reminds us that Jesus Himself didn’t live for human approval. He spoke the truth, without flattery or manipulation, because His audience was the Father—not the crowd. Likewise, believers today must resist the temptation to conform to culture or soften their message for applause. Our call is to speak, live, and love truthfully, no matter the response. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world, and the God who sees through deception also sees—and rewards—our faithfulness.