Discerning Truth from Error

There is no question that we are living in the information age. The internet has brought endless opportunities for individuals and organizations to get their message out to the masses. The problem is that in this virtual sea of information it has become exceedingly difficult to weed out all of the “fake news.” I have found myself asking the question more than a few times lately, who is telling the truth here?!

The Apostle John faced a similar problem in the first century with “false teachers” who had infiltrated the church and were spreading lies about the person and work of Jesus Christ. He saw the eternal implications of these lies and called them out. He wrote to the church saying, “test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” In effect he was saying, “listen, you all have to be really careful, you can’t believe everything you see and hear!”

Friend, realize that people that spread false information are not typically sinister, evil-looking characters. They are religious! They use Christian lingo. They talk about Jesus and often have charismatic, engaging personalities. Jesus called them wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15). Paul warned that they “disguise themselves as apostles of Christ and servants of righteousness” (2 Cor. 11:13-14).

Theology matters! The difference between a person in a false cult who is going to hell, and a true believer in Jesus Christ, who is going to heaven, is largely one of theology (our understanding of God). Satan and his forces are actively trying to deceive us on essential biblical truth.

Okay, I’ll say it, the problem of biblical illiteracy is the real pandemic in the world today!

The basis for knowing the truth (which is the historic Christian faith that was “once for all handed down to the saints), centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ; He is the litmus test.

Christians are never going to win the popularity contest, never have, never will. It’s not you against them – so don’t beat yourself up. Always remember, this is a SPIRITUAL BATTLE FOR HEARTS AND MINDS. And “Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world.”

Press On,

Pastor Brian