In John 10:27 (NLT), Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” This is such a powerful source of assurance for us as believers! It tells us that we can recognize the Lord’s voice, which is incredibly helpful when it comes to spotting the enemy’s tricks and schemes.
The enemy is a master of deception, which makes discernment so important. As 2 Corinthians 11:14 (NLT) warns, “But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” This shows us that satan doesn’t always come at us with obvious evil. He often tries to mask his lies with things that seem good or right. That’s why it’s so important to stay rooted in God’s Word and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
When we stay close to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we learn to discern his voice. Our union with him helps us hear him guiding us away from danger and toward God’s truth. By nurturing our relationship with Him, we become more sensitive to his leading and better equipped to recognize when something doesn’t align with God’s Word.
In Psalm 138:2 (NKJV), King David, the psalmist said, “I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” This reveals the importance of valuing God’s Word. Sometimes, we’re just not as thankful for His truth as we should be, and we forget how much it holds us up every day. We must remind ourselves that God’s Word is life to us. It’s our foundation!
Reading and studying Scripture gives us a deeper understanding of God’s nature, which equips us to navigate life’s uncertainties and discern the truth amid confusion. It strengthens our ability to discern blessings from the tricks of the evil one. From Psalm 138:2, we see clearly that our Heavenly Father greatly honors and values the words He speaks. He will never violate or overstep them, and He never speaks in ways that contradict Scripture. This shows us the level of reverence and obedience we must have for His Word as well.
In 1 John 4:1 (NLT), our Heavenly Father warns, “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” Today, countless voices claim to represent Christ and speak for God, but many are counterfeits sent by the evil one to derail God’s plans for our lives. We are called to test these voices against Scripture. If what they say doesn’t align with His Word, it’s a clear sign that they are not the real deal. This discernment is crucial in navigating our walk in Christ and staying true to the promises, standards, and laws God has given us.
The truth is that God has made it possible for us to find security in Christ, so that we are not easily deceived. By staying vigilant and guarding our hearts, we can clearly discern between truth and lies. We can rest assured that our Heavenly Father is always available, inviting us to reach out to Him at any moment. As James 1:5 (NLT) tells us, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” If we have any doubts or concerns about our relationship with Him or our lives in Christ, we can confidently ask God for clarity and confirmation.
God desires for us to walk in truth, and He has graciously given us the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us do just that. John 16:13 (NLT) says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” When we stay humble, teachable, and submit to the Holy Spirit’s leadership, he will guide us along the path of God’s righteousness. This is the God we serve, and we can trust His care. As we grow in discernment and lean completely on our Heavenly Father’s Word, we can have full confidence in our safety and direction. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
“Do Not Be Deceived”, written by KLizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.