By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
1 John 4:1 "My dear friends, do not believe all who claim to have the Spirit, but test them to find out if the spirit they have comes from God. For many false prophets have gone out everywhere." - GNB
Apostle John clearly warns the believers about the deception already in the world. It is masterminded by the devil who is a liar from the begining. As previously seen, he masquerades as an angel of light to decieve those who don’t discern. John gives the solution as testing all, including those who claim to have the Holy Spirit in them. It therefore goes, that if you don’t test, you will fall victim of deception.
Deception primarily thrives on ignorance. If one is equipped with the truth and awareness of deceit, it becomes very easy to counter deception. But whatever one receives requires testing against the standard of truth. God’s word rightly read, interpreted and applied is the standard. Paul mentions another reason for deception; when people who already know the truth choose to ignore it and opt for ways contrary to God and sound teachings and defend them as their rights.
When men deliberately refuse or rationalize the truth and live in their evil ways, there is no more remedy. God gives them to strong delusion. Then right becomes wrong and vice versa. They live in lies by choice. This explains some odd practices around the world today which are promoted and defended as human rights even when their own conscience testifies against such. Until we embrace and allow the truth of God’s word to guide our ways, deception will continue to prevail. The choice is for each one of us.
Romans 1:25 "They exchange the truth about God for a lie; they worship and serve what God has created instead of the Creator himself, who is to be praised for ever! Amen." - GNB
Shalom