Discernment of Truth, Part 1
Charles Spurgeon is quoted as saying, “Discernment is not always knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”
I believe the time has come upon our planet where understanding this quote is vital for each and every one of us. Why? To discern or have discernment means: distinguishing, judging, having insight, perception, and understanding. It is a must for us to be able to recognize the difference between good and evil, between godly and ungodly and to recognize what is truth or deception. People are not easily deceived by things that are extreme or obviously wrong, but by those things that are as Spurgeon said, “right or almost right.” Those things that deceive, sound good or right, and sometimes include half truths.
Matthew 24:24 reveals that false messiahs and false prophets will rise up, perform great signs and wonders, so as to deceive (lead into error or lead away from the truth), if possible, even the elect. Those who have obtained salvation through Christ are called the chosen or elect of God.
Please understand, this is nothing new. The first account of one being beguiled or deceived took place in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:13), when the serpent (the crafty tempter) led Eve away from the truth and into error (sin) by her choosing to be disobedient to God’s command.
As the enemy of God realizes that his time is short, there will be an all out push to cause those who have faith to be led into error and led away from the truth, turn away from it or,fall away from it.
I am sure all of you are aware that we are hearing many voices saying exactly what Jesus warned about, in the world today. We hear things like, “Go this way!” “Go that way!” “Believe this!” “This is truth!” “There is no truth!” “You decided for yourself!” We are hearing that right is wrong and wrong is right. Sadly, we are being bombarded on all sides with these voices. We hear it from politicians, sports figures, and Hollywood celebrities. We hear it on social media, news media, purveyors of godlessness, and even from church leaders.
We’re going to begin our study today by looking at 2 Timothy 3:12-14 (NKJV), “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,” Focusing particularly on verse 13, we see that Paul told Timothy that evil people and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. The Greek word for deceiving is ‘planao’ which means to lead into error; and being ‘deceived’ means to wander or fall away from the true faith.
We will see in the following Scriptures that Jesus warned time and time again to, “not be deceived” by false Christs, false prophets, and prophets in sheep’s clothing. Matthew 7:15 (NLT), “"Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.” Matthew 24:4 and 5 (NLT), “Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many.” Matthew 24:24 (NLT), “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones.”
1 Timothy 4:1 (NKJV), “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,” Paul through the leading of the Spirit spoke this very troubling warning. We are going to look at the Greek meanings of a number of words used in this verse to gain a fuller understanding of it, so that we will be able to comprehend what is taking place and be prepared to stand against it.
‘Depart’ means: to withdraw oneself from, or to fall away.
‘Faith’, pistis in the Greek means: the substance of Christian faith, what is believed by Christians.
‘Heed’, prosecho in the Greek means: to apply oneself to, attach oneself to, or hold, or cleave to.
‘Deceiving’ (seducing in the King James Version) from the Greek word planos , means: misleading, leading to error, imposter.
Spirits’ means one in whom a spirit is manifest or embodied, activated by a spirit who in this case falsely boasts he is from God.
‘Doctrines’ in the Greek means: teachings.
‘Demons’ (devils in the King James Version) when joined with doctrines, or ‘doctrines of demons’ from the Blue Letter Bible means: pernicious errors disseminated by demons even among Christians, seducing them from the truth. Pernicious means: tending to cause death, or serious injury, deadly; that which causes great harm, is destructive, malicious, and wicked.
When we insert the Greek meanings into 1 Timothy 4:1, we could read it this way: The Spirit of God, distinctly says in latter times some will choose to withdraw themselves or fall away from the substance of what is believed by Christians. They also choose to apply, attach, or cleave themselves to those who are imposters or those who falsely claim to follow God and lead others into error. They cleave to teachings of devils or demons that seduces them from the truth, to follow after destructive, malicious, wicked doctrines which will bring nothing but great harm, serious injury, or death to them.
Please read that again! You must be knowledgeable, awake, aware, and on the alert for the plans and strategies of the enemy, so that, you will not be seduced into walking away from the truth.
The following scriptures give us specific instruction in how to deal with the plots of the enemy.
Romans 16:17 and 18 (NLT), “And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people's faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.
Ephesians 5:3-11 (ESV), “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”
Let us look for a few minutes, on why this endless battle exists. Lucifer, was a beautiful created being who, filled with pride and iniquity, sought to take God’s glory and place on His throne. God cast him out of heaven. He has since then been the enemy and hater of God. (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:14 and 15, I Peter 2:4) We then see in John 8:44 that ‘the devil is a murderer with no truth in him, and the father of all lies’. When we accept Christ as our Savior, we become a part of the family of God, and as such, satan is an enemy and hater of us as well. Those in the world who follow satan, seek to do his will. Satan’s desire and will has not changed. He still wants to take God’s glory and place on His throne.
The battle we face is grounded in the continual desire of satan to cause us to walk away from, or fall from our faith in God and following the truth. Thus, his ploy according to John 10:10 is to ‘steal, kill, or destroy us’. His desire is also to cause the believers, by deception, to turn away from their relationship with God. If we are not serving God, we are serving the enemy.
We need to seriously take heed to the warnings given to us in the Word of God. Remember, if possible, even the elect will be deceived.
My next post will continue on with this vital message.
As I close today, an old song comes to mind. I want to leave you encouraged. The first verse to, “God Will Make a Way” by Don Moen says: “God will make a way, when there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me. He will be my guide. Hold me closely to His side. With love and strength for each new day. He will make a way…for me.”
Keep on keeping on!