We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. – 1 John 4:6
Can you tell if someone is lying to you? Those well versed in courtroom forensics know some of the signs found in body language, expressions, over-sharing, and even beginning with phrases like “to tell you the truth…” Author and educator Kendra Cherry says, “Lying is more mentally taxing than telling the truth. If you add even more cognitive complexity, behavioral clues may become more apparent.“
Over the last century, many cults have arisen in the United States, often led by self-proclaimed “messiahs.” Jim Jones and his People’s Temple drew more than 900 Americans to a commune in the jungles of Guyana, where, in their search for utopia, most committed suicide. The charisma of Charles Manson persuaded vulnerable young women to “follow him” in murderous rampages. Marshall Applegate, preaching New Age-ism, convinced his Heaven’s Gate followers to believe in a spaceship that would rescue them from Earth. David Koresh and his Branch Davidians awaited another coming “redeemer.” All were deceivers and false prophets, and they all met their demise.
What happens if lies are coming from a church pulpit? Theologian Dr. Jack Arnold writes, “A Christian must know how to believe and not believe at the same time; that is, he must believe truth and reject error. … You cannot believe truth without rejecting error.” In his first epistle, the Apostle John says you are able to know the truth by receiving discernment from the Holy Spirit as you hear the message. In his commentary, Jon Courson says, “John declares those who truly know God know the Word. Those who don’t know God don’t listen to the Word.”
An experienced bank teller will quickly identify counterfeit currency that anyone else might not detect. The reason is that tellers spend so much time handling the real thing that, when the forgery surfaces, they immediately recognize it is different. The Apostle Peter cautioned you to “take care that you are not carried away by the error of lawless people” (2 Peter 3:17).
The Holy Spirit has come to you as a gift from the Father and the Son, to be your teacher and your guide. Ask Him to illuminate the Bible to you every time you open it, and to give you the grace and knowledge of Jesus. The more you handle the truth, the quicker you will detect false teaching.
Today’s Verse: 1 John 4:6
We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Peter 2:1-3, 17-21
2 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
