In these last days of great deception, might we need to guard, more
than ever, against our minds (and seat pocket books) being taken
captive by those self asserting christs who would self-assert 'I am
anointed' ?

But ... if we can seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,
in all our business, we have real hope ...
 

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but
unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor. 1:18

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 1:12

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Teaching us that,

denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,

we should live

soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great
God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.

Let no man despise thee.

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey
magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man,
to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived,
serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy,
hateful, and hating one another.

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

   Not by works of righteousness which we have done,

   but according to his mercy he saved us,

   by the washing of regeneration,

   and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according
to the hope of eternal life.

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm
constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to
maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and
strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 2 Tim.
2:11 - 3:9
 
 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for
the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to
the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and
every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,
and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Cor. 10:3-5

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of
ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

... we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of
the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Cor. 3:5; 4:7
 

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph 6:12
 
 

Now here is a glorious historical precedent ...

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to
him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said,

Behold, I am here, Lord.

And the Lord said unto him,

Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in
the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he
prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and
putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

Then Ananias answered,

Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to
thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief
priests to bind all that call on thy name.

But the Lord said unto him,

Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before
the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew
him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his
hands on him said,

Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way
as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight,
and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he
received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. Acts 9:10-18
 

(Paul said) ... as I went to Damascus with authority and commission
from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light
from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me
and them which journeyed with me.

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking
unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue,

Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick
against the pricks.

And I said,

Who art thou, Lord?

And he said,

I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet:
for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a
minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and
of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee
from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

   To open their eyes,

   and to turn them from darkness to light,

   and from the power of Satan unto God,

   that they may receive forgiveness of sins,

   and inheritance among them

   which are sanctified by faith

   that is in me.

Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly
vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and
throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that
they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Acts 26:12-20