“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 2:14-16.
One of the greatest and most important spiritual gifts that is seriously lacking in the body of Christ today is Discernment. This IS that time in history when the need for this gift is at a premium. Oh, how we have been warned of the deception that would come in these end times, yet we continue to render our determinations of character upon the thinnest of evidence. Perhaps it's because our Christian leaders so discourage judgement, yet this is exactly what we NEED to escape the deceptive wiles of the devil's false religious works & teachings. And the Bible gives us plenty of encouragement toward the employing of discernment.
But how can we even begin to go about discerning between a good work from the Lord, and a deceptive “good work” from the devil? We will rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:27), and the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16,17) will verify of what sort the work really is.
There are good works which are spiritually neutral, such as the social services in our area that help poorer people in need. Their work is legitimate, and God approves of helping those in need, but the organization itself is not on the side of one religion or another.
Others may do such works in the name of Jesus, but there is hypocrisy in their lives & doctrine. This is why we need to study the Word of God thoroughly, in order to make the right determination. Initial, superficial observations will often lead us astray;
“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” -John 7:24.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” -Hebrews 4:12. Bold type was added for emphasis.
The Word of God is absolutely crucial in determining what type of spirit is working in a person. Again, I'm not addressing those that are neutral in nature, but those that either lead us more deeply into Jesus Christ, or away from Him. Proverbs warns of a deceptive spirit of good intentions;
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
There are several categories I'd like to look at which can be very deceptive, but not in a particular order; one is a deception through GIFTS, a second may come through popularity, a third could involve prophecies or miracles, and a fourth might be a direct response to false teaching.
Everyone loves gifts, and it's a great way to make friends, at least in the short-term. Scripture tells us that every man is friend to him that gives gifts (Proverbs 19:6B), and warns us of the polluting nature of gifts when we need to make right judgements (Deuteronomy 16:19). We would do well to remember that GOD is the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17), and not give undue credit to men. Some have even turned away from Christ in pursuit of the material goods they need. The Bible assures us;
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?... But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” -Matthew 6:31,33.
Yet another way by which multitudes are deceived is through a person's popularity, or celebrity status. When someone is rich, loved, and successful in men's eyes, he might seem to be someone to follow. Many might ASSUME that such a person is being blessed by God, but we must remember that the devil also “blesses” with the wealth of this world, and it primarily belongs to him;
“And the devil, taking him (Jesus) up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.” -Luke 4:5-7. (Jesus) and bold type added for clarity & emphasis.
But a terrible lie has taken hold in our day, where it is accepted without question that genuine Christians will be widely loved and respected; but nothing could be further from the Bible's truth! Jesus was hated for testifying against people's sin, and even those of His home town synagogue (church) tried to kill Him (John 7:7, Luke 4:28,29). He told His disciples that they would be hated like He was (John 15:18,19), and that a servant is NOT above His Lord (Matthew 10:24,25). Jesus was popular for the beneficial miracles He would do, but was rejected as God (Matthew 11:20). Only a false prophet would have all men speaking well of Him (Luke 6:26). The path of destruction is BROAD;
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” -Matthew 7:13,14. Bold type added to emphasize.
Then there are many who will be taken in by by false prophets, and miracles. God warned us about this! He did this in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 13:1-4) as well as the New Testament;
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.” Matthew 24:24,25.
“And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.” -Revelation 13:13,14.
And Jesus belittles the role of miracles with regard to salvation in Luke 16:31 & in 10:19,20;
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
Of course we know that Jesus is the ONLY way to God the Father (John 14:6), and His is the only NAME given among men by which we MUST be saved (Acts 4:12), yet our enemy the devil will send false teachers to pervert Bible doctrine, deceiving people into following an image of a false Christ that is one of their own imagining. In other words, it is the appeal of the false teaching itself that attracts & turns them. Such teachings will often reject the Bible's instruction directly, but some simply don't give the full counsel of God (Acts 20:27), when we need His EVERY WORD (Matthew 4:4).
Please apply these insights not only to supposed Christian teachers, but to professing followers of the Lord Jesus; I never wanted this to be only for the exposing of false leaders, but in our every day associations with fellow brethren. Of course, the deceit we'll encounter started somewhere. Listen to the stern warnings God has providied in His Word;
“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” -Acts 20:29-31.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” -Matthew 7:21-23.
Our response to these troubling circumstances is to seek God for discernment. We will pray, test the spirits (1 John 4:1), and search the scriptures ( John 3:21, Acts 17:11) daily. We will study & apply the Word of God until it becomes the foundation (Matthew 7:24,25) of our spiritual “house.” And then with this standard we will warn others (Colossians 1:28), even risking some friendships, if by any means they may yet escape the enemy's deceits, and attain eternal life.
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” - 1 Timothy 4:16.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” -2 Timothy 4:3,4.
“...Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” -from Colossians 1:27,28.
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