DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR (Test the Spirits 2)
In the previous blog we talked about 1 John 4:1: “test the spirits.” Satan counterfeits God’s truth and therefore we must make sure the voices we are listening to are from God and Satan. Let’s look at some examples so we know what to avoid.
What are some of these deceptive voices we hear? From those without the church we hear things such as: “It’s all about you.” “You deserve …” “Follow your heart.” “Anything is OK if it’s done in love.” “I am my own truth.” “There are no absolutes.” “God made me this way.” “I’ll be happier if I change my gender.” “Sex any time, with anyone of any gender or marital status is OK.” “Give people all the money they want and all our problems will be gone.” “If my mate isn’t making me happy, I need to find a new mate.” “Abortion is sometimes the best thing for the mother and fetus.”
The false prophets within the church are even more deadly. “Jesus was just a man whom God used.” “God wants everyone healed, healthy, wealthy and happy.” “We need certain gifts or experiences to prove we are Christian.” “God loves everyone, so everyone will go to heaven.” “There is no hell.” “You can lose your salvation so be careful how you live.” “The Trinity isn’t true, but that really doesn’t matter.” “The virgin birth is false but isn’t important.” “Jesus isn’t coming back, it’s up to us to change the world.”
It’s not just voices from others that we hear, the most deceptive voices can be those voices within our own heads. Satan did this with Jesus when He was tempted after forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4). Paul says Satan sows deception in the hearts of people (2 Corinthians 11:3). Ananias obviously listened to Satan’s voice instead of God’s when saying he was donating all he received for the sale of his land when it was, in fact, only part of the amount (Acts 5:3). He can put thoughts into a person’s mind (Mark 8:33). In addition, Satan can take thoughts out of a mind, as in the parable of the sower and the seed (Matthew 13:19). As with Adam and Eve, Satan’s communication with man is always deceitful and destructive. He can and will speak directly to a person much as the Holy Spirit does (1 Peter 5:8).
Some of the things spoken to our thoughts and feelings include: “Meet your needs your way, don’t wait for God.” “Just do it, you can confess it and be forgiven later.” “God doesn’t love you, you’re too sinful.” “You aren’t a Christian, look at your struggles.” “God will never forgive you for that.” “God doesn’t care about you or you wouldn’t have so many problems.” “Even if the Bible says no, in your case its justified.” “Just give in to the temptation and get it over with.” “Be careful or you’ll lose your salvation.” Any many more.
These lies come well packaged and promoted in ways they can be easy to believe. Hearing them over and over can desensitize us to them as well. Be care what you listen to – don’t believe everything you hear. (The next blog will explain how we can tell the difference between God’s voice and Satan’s voice.) (February 26, 2024 Doylestown, PA)
Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Which of these lies are you most apt to believe? Why?
What other counterfeit truths from Satan and the world are you vulnerable to believe?
What should you do when you hear something and aren’t sure if it is true or not?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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