Throughout the Bible, believers in Jesus by faith are warned of false prophets and lying spirits who have come to deceive and destroy. These false spirits are not only situated in the public square but similarly teaching in responsible positions within our places of worship. This is why we are instructed to try the spirits to see whether they are of God. The difficulty is that in today's world of religiosity, and similarly, church culture, it is getting harder and harder to meet people interested in spending time sharing and sharpening each other with the Word.
John wrote: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God. And this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore, speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God. He that knoweth God heareth us. He that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." (I John 4:1-6)
Peter confirmed the same message in his writing: "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of, and through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." (II Peter 2:1-3)
Matthew wrote about false prophets as well: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:15-20, Matthew 24:4-51)
Jesus said, "Take heed that no man deceive you, for many shall come in My Name, saying I am Christ, and shall deceive many." (Matthew 24:4-5) Jesus later told the scribes and the Pharisees (when they did not understand His speech) in the book of John: "Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." (John 8:44)
So, if this is the world which is to come and yet, in which we live, what are we to do? Well, first know that "God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." (I Corinthians 14:33)
Jesus knew that this time would come on earth and warned us accordingly, so that we would not be caught unaware. Jesus said that "false Christs, and false prophets [would arise] and show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matthew 24:24)
"For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect." (Mark 13:22)
The apostles too warned us of this latter time, encouraging us to know that "because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth, whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, therefore, brethren, "stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by Word or our epistle ... now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace." (II Thessalonians 2:13-16)
Herein, believers in Jesus Christ, who seek His righteousness, are instructed to stand fast, and to hold the traditions which we have been taught -- whether by Word (Jesus -- see John 1:1-18) or the epistles.
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1)
David, under the old covenant wrote: "Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day." (Psalm 25:5) How much more in this new covenant of grace, whereby salvation is a gift --- should this be our heart's desire -- returning to our first love, remembering that we were bought with a price.
As well, be encouraged to search the scriptures "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:3) "Seek and ye shall find." (Matthew 7:7-8) How do we do this? Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
In terms of understanding, be diligent in the Word of God as truth. Even more so, "if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and it shall be given him ... and let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." (James 1:5-6)
"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come." (John 16:13)
Be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38-42) Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Covet the best spiritual gifts. Remember, to love one another.
"Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them; but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed, do enter into rest, as He said, "As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest:" although the works were finished from the foundation of the world ... "If they shall enter into my rest." (Hebrews 4:1-11)
This is why Paul wrote: "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the gathering together unto Him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by Word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Let no man deceive you by any means, for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition -- who opposes and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." (II Thessalonians 2:1-12)
Instead, let's become more like our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus the Christ who went about the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing ever sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35)
Be bold and let the "God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13)
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) Stand in the offering plate.
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