Discerning The True From The False

In 2 Peter 2:1, we are warned about false prophets and false teachers. These individuals will teach messages that will attempt to draw us away from the truth that is found in Jesus Christ. The purpose of this warning is not to cause fear or stop believers from hearing true ministers, it is to simply bring awareness and inform us of the need for the ability to recognize the true from the false.

To make this recognition, we first have to understand how the enemy will attempt to throw us off. 1 Peter 5:8 says “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”. When lions stalk their prey, they usually hide in the bush waiting and watching for the weaker animals in the herd. They slowly creep up and gain enough ground so that when they ambush their prey, they can catch it without having to run very fast or very far. Many times the herd doesn’t see the lion until it is too late.  This gives us some insight on what this scripture means. The devil doesn’t just create things that are obviously spiritually threatening. The enemy is an accomplish counterfeiter. When God begins to set a plan in motion, the enemy will create an alternate path that may cause one to deviate from the original course. It is not an obvious wrong turn. Just as the lion targets the weaker prey, the enemy will play on our weaknesses using valid truth to disguise lies and deceit. I read once that most carefully concealed deceptions are distortions of truth.

Satan is only a copy cat. He cannot create, he can only mimic what is real. So, we know that if there are false teachers and prophets, there are real ones as well. God didn’t just leave us on our own to figure things out. He has given us what we need to walk in truth and wisdom. One thing we have is God’s word. The word of God is truth. It is important that we study God’s word to know what He has said for ourselves. We don’t want hear say when it comes to God’s word. When Jesus ascended to Heaven, He left us the Holy Spirit. John 16:13 calls It the Spirit of Truth. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are guided into truth. Thus having the ability to discern the true  the false evil.

We can’t recognize God voice if we don’t have a personal relationship with Him. Think for a moment how it makes you feel when the only time that a family member calls you is when they need something. We don’t want to become that way with God. So dig into His word even more, pray and fellowship with God more than when you are just in need.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~John 8:32