Do Not Be Deceived

Verse of the day: 1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

I want to begin by saying that if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord you cannot claim to be of God or to be His child. The only way to be a child of God is to be a born again believer (John 3:16). Being a child of God has nothing to do with how religious a person is. It is about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ by calling upon Him, repenting and confessing our sins, trusting Him, by faith, for salvation. It is not about our works or anything we have done or can do to deserve Heaven (Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3;4-6). As a child of God we face many challenges, and one of those challenges is recognizing false teachers. In this chapter of 1 John, the Apostle reminds us that we are to be careful to test that which we hear from those that claim to be followers and teachers of God. The ultimate test is what they preach about who Jesus is. We know that Jesus is God, and has come in the flesh, gave His life for us, and is the only Way to God and Heaven (John 1). Anything short of that is heresy. We are reminded that those who teach falsely about who Jesus is, and who preach messages taken out of context for their own gain are being led by Satan, and not the Holy Spirit; for the Spirit glorifies Jesus (John 15:26; 16:14). This, my brothers and sisters, is the reason it is of utmost importance that we prayerfully and diligently study the Word of God. We have been equipped, as God’s children, with everything we need to know God’s truth (John 14:26; 2 Tim 2:15; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 4:12). Sadly, too many Christians walk in fear of the devils and preoccupy themselves with what Satan is doing to hinder their walk, rather than focus on the One who is far greater than our enemy. This verse is a reminder that Satan is no real challenge to the One who indwells us, the Holy Spirit of God, God Himself. Yes, we must not underestimate the power of Satan because he is one of God’s most powerful, and wisest, creations, but He is no match for his Creator, our Heavenly Father (Ez 28:11-19). Jesus set the example for us in respect to how we should handle Satan and his false teachers (some of who, even today, claim to be preachers of God; Matt 7:20-22). When tempted by Satan in the wilderness by his twisting of Scripture, after being led there (Jesus) by the Holy Spirit (Matt 4), Jesus responded by using Scripture in its proper context. Too many born again believers, and followers of Jesus, have been led astray because of laziness, by allowing themselves to be spoon-fed by false teachers who twist the Word of God and are charismatic speakers. The Apostle Paul taught the Word of God, but was not a dynamic speaker (1 Cor 2:1-5); yet it was the power of God that empowered his preaching and teaching and moved people to repentance and acceptance of the Gospel, and God’s truth. We have access to this same power today, as God’s children. We have the Holy Spirit who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present in all believers. Satan does not have that ability and is weak in comparison to our God. For this reason we are told to submit and draw near to God, and He will draw near to us. The end result is that the devil will flee (James 4:7-9). Why? Because our God is greater than the devil. Both the devil and his false teachers will come to a disastrous end, as they will all be judged (Jude, verses 12-15; Rev 20:10). Let us put aside the foolishness of putting too much of our attention on Satan, and focus on our relationship with Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us, guides us, and give us the discernment we need to recognize false teachings. Let us focus on our relationship with God, and put more effort into being obedient to the truths found in His Word so that we will endure in our service to God, not just living the truth, but being able to teach it for what it is (by our words and deeds), all to the glory of God!