Truth or Deception?

Like no other time in history, Biblical truth is under attack! The worst part is that many Christians are like the boxer who, after being badly battered and bruised, leaned over the ropes and said to his trainer, “Throw in the towel! This guy is killing me!” The trainer said, “Oh, no, he’s not. He’s not even hitting you. He hasn’t laid a glove on you!” At that point the boxer wiped the blood away from his eye and said, “Well, then, I wish you’d watch that referee. Somebody is sure hitting me!” Many believers, like the boxer feel battered, bruised, and tired from the battle so they just simply throw in the towel because their opponent is too much for them to handle. The reason why so many Christians are losing the battle is because they have failed to identify their enemy. 1 John 4:1 says, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit” the spirit that John is warning against is the power that energizes this world and is controlled by Satan. Knowing that the spirit of Satan is constantly at war against God, as a believer, you have to be careful to weigh and examine what spirit you are listening to because the world is full of deception. Perhaps you’re thinking, “It sounds a little strange to me that people who know God could be deceived. It may sound strange, but it is not unusual. Sadly, it happens all the time and it always has. If the danger was not so very real, why would the New Testament Epistles warn God’s people about the possibility of being deceived no fewer than eleven times? 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” Three times Paul uses the word transform to describe the works of Satan and his emissaries. Paul’s warning is this, since the Prince of Darkness transforms himself into an angel of light, you should not be surprised when evil teachers come claiming to have a message from God. The real danger is that through their deceitful teachings, Christians believe these satanic lies and have their minds corrupted. The tragic result is that they leave their love for Christ in favour of the teachings of Satan. But the child of God should not be surprised when this happens, because before this world comes to a conclusion, Paul warned that satanic deception would intensify. It is not simply that we have more people in the world, or better news coverage, but the Scriptures say that the whole world falls into the lap of the “god of this age” who is living in rebellion to God. Now, put the Word of God on one side and then put on the other side what you are exposed to every day through some of the ungodly media, the so called “Christian” television, and the places that you work. And then realize that as you get up in the morning you are going to have to make some tough decisions on what voice you are going to allow into your home. Daily, many Christians watch as these false teachers parade around under the bright lights of television cameras on religious networks worldwide teaching lies from the very pit of Hell. They promise miracles in return for money, conning viewers out of more than a billion dollars annually. And, instead of defending the truth of the Scriptures, many believers pretend to be humble to stand against them, while others try to bury their heads in the sand in an attempt to keep peace. They claim “they don’t want to judge” but that is neither charity nor grace-but a complete failure to exercise Biblical discernment and righteous judgment. Jesus said in John 7:24, “Do not judge according to appearance but judge with righteous judgment.” You don’t judge with a self righteous attitude but you must exercise moral and Biblical discernment. Now, the question that arises is that with all of this deception that is taking place, how does a person recognize if the spirit is from God or Satan? The questions that you need to ask yourself are; are they living a godly lifestyle, are they teaching the Scriptures as the final authority, and do they openly confess that Jesus Christ has come as God in the flesh? If they refuse to accept that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh than they do not belong to God and are being energized by the spirit of the Antichrist and speaking the lies of Satan. The deception that is in this world is much stronger than we are but God is greater than all the evil of this world and it is through His power that we can overcome the lies of Satan. John says in light of all this deception and rebellion that is being orchestrated by Satan, do not panic because if you are a child of God then you have already won a big victory over the spirit of deception because the Spirit of God who is working in you is greater than the spirit of the Antichrist who is working in this world. But, apart from walking in the power of the Holy Spirit there is no victory in the Christian life. John 16:12-13, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

May God bless you as you remain faithful to Him!

Pastor Paul