Regardless of how much we know concerning God’s will, we are always to be on guard against false prophets who want to lead us astray. The enemy is the master of deception.
He knows the Word and will use it out of context to deceive us. He did it with Jesus.
And he said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will give His angels charge over you, and they will bear you up on their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone." (Matthew 4:6 AMPC)
While he was referring to Psalm 91:12 it was out of context. Jesus’ response shows this:
Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written also, You shall not tempt, [b]test thoroughly, or [c]try exceedingly the Lord your God." (Matthew 4:7 AMPC)
This is why we must know the Word, in context, for ourselves. God's Word is our best defense for discerning truth from error. When we don’t know the Word, or are unwilling to study the Word, search things out for ourselves, it becomes easier to be deceived.
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6a AMPC)
We must be careful not to follow people, get caught up in the hype of new revelation, insight, or charisma. We must follow Jesus while uniting with a body of believers that teach the uncompromised Word of God. However, everyone, teacher, preacher, elder, evangelist, prophet, apostle, layperson, everyone is subject to being deceived. This is why we must intentionally guard our hearts, watch what we hear and what we look at, be it TV, books, social media, etc. We cannot accept everything we hear without testing it with the Word of God.
“Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 AMPC)
When you find yourself following a person, not opening your Bible and studying the Word for yourself then you could be ripe for deception to take root in your life. We cannot take the easy way out. We must do the work. We must desire and cultivate an intimate relationship with the Father. He desires an intimate relationship with us. We must allow ourselves to be led by the guidance of Holy Spirit.
“But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].” (John16:14 AMPC)
Some deceive on purpose. Their intention is to lead people astray for their financial benefit and their ego. Sadly, some are led astray honestly believing they have found a new truth or understanding about the Word. Either way both led to deception, destruction, and death if you don’t align yourself with the Word. Even if you must stand alone, from the world’s perspective, stand with God. Always check the health, the fruit, of the person speaking into your life.
“You don’t get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the tree.” (Luke 5:43-44 MSG)
“Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” (Matthew 7:20 NLT)
If the fruit, or the actions, change check to make sure it lines up with the Word of God. If it does great. If it doesn't move on. Only you can guard your heart.
"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." (Proverbs 4:23 NLT)
Be Encouraged! ❤
(From the Vault of LWM)
Comments