The Sprit of Truth vs the Sprit of deception

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04000640egdysm.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Arial" ><B>Church of God, In Truth</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>    |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church of God, In Truth"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> back to<B>  </B><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Edification Articles"><U><B>Edification Articles</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#0000BF" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <A HREF="id294.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Called to be A Kingdom of Priests"><U>Called to be "A Kingdom of Priests"</U></A></div> <div> <B>The Sprit of Truth vs the Sprit of deception</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id290.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A rare find"><U>A rare find</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id289.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Focus on God"><U>Focus on God</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id288.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Nation must Honor God"><U>A Nation must Honor God</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id286.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Faith?"><U>What is Faith?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id285.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Abrahams family"><U>Abraham's family</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id284.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Women of the Bible"><U>Women of the Bible</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id279.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How important are Gods Holy days to you?"><U>How important are God's Holy days to you??</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id278.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="I am the resurrection and the live"><U>I am the resurrection and the live</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id259.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Man made traditions have infirtrated God"><U>Man made traditions have infirtrated God's church</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id258.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to cope with todays realities"><U>How to cope with today's realities</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id257.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Trials and discouragement"><U>Trials and discouragement</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id256.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Love and defend Gods truth"><U>Love and defend God's truth</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id248.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Roadmap to peace"><U>Roadmap to peace</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id252.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fear"><U>Fear</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id251.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Differing Opinions"><U>Differing Opinions</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id250.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Are you a Profitable Servant?"><U>Are you a Profitable Servant?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id249.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Roadmap to peace"><U>Roadmap to peace</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id247.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Listen to God"><U>Listen to God</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id246.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Remember the Sabbath to kepp it holy"><U>Remember the Sabbath to kepp it holy</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id244.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MANS TRADITIONS VS. 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Many New Testament scriptures equally emphasize this same period. It is our time now that is witnessing the beginning fulfillment of conditions God long ago spoke about. We are about to enter into the crisis period at the end of this age. This will be a time that will see untold horrific suffering - a time of "great tribulation" - which God will permit in order that His people, the descendants of Israel, may learn of the consequences of rejecting Him. The whole world will eventually be affected as God dramatically intervenes, to punish the nations for their evil ways before establishing His Kingdom. Many of those who were called out by God to be a part of the Church, "spiritual Israel," have also rejected God. God has called us to be disciples - "first fruits," and has conditionally bestowed on us, the magnificent promises of an eternal life of rulership, honor and majesty in the Kingdom of God. </div> <div> Notice what Christ tells His disciple in Matthew 24:3-4: "And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when shall these things be and what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world (or, this age)?' And Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘Take heed that no man deceive you.'" Notice that it is men that Christ warned about, who would be preaching to the disciples, in order to deceive them. Christ didn't say to them, "Because you are called of God you cannot be deceived." And, note too, His warning is not to a world held captive by the devil, but to those called to liberty by God. Christ was privately speaking to His closest disciples - but the main warning was for His disciples living at the close of the age! He warns of a deception so great, that it causes the destruction of the temple, or Church, in the end time, as it did anciently to the physical Temple. </div> <div> In this article, we are going to be looking at the subject of truth and deception. Hopefully it will cause you to "pay more earnest heed" to what you accept and believe - and to be on guard against deception. </div> <div> Let's continue with Jesus' statement in Matthew 24. In verse 1, the disciples were showing Christ the buildings of the temple and in verse 2, Jesus states, "See you not all these things? Truly I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." Historically, we know the physical temple was destroyed in 70 A.D., but the disciples understood Christ was speaking of destruction at the time of His coming, at the end of the age. </div> <div> The first and foremost sign of the end, as Christ stated though, was to be deception coming upon those called to be His disciples. This is a time permitted to the devil - a time for us to be proven. The Apostle John, speaking to true spiritual brethren - those called to be sons of the Highest, warns, "Little children, it is the last time: and as you have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time." (1 John 2:18) The Apostle Paul also referred to these end times in a warning he gave to Timothy: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." (2 Tim. 3:1) Paul then goes on in the following verses to describe a multitude of spiritual transgressions. Truly the whole world, as well as the Churches of God, have entered into spiritually perilous times! </div> <div> You may wonder why Satan is allowed to have access to God's own people. It is a unique time in history, which is quickly leading up to the return of Jesus Christ. Christ will return with rewards "to give every man according as his works," as it states in Rev. 22:12. In the book of Deuteronomy, we can get an idea of why God might allow false prophets and deception to fall on His people. Here is what Moses told the "church in the wilderness," ancient Israel: "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spoke unto you, saying, Let us go after other gods, which you have not known, and let us serve them, You shall not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proves you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deut. 13:1-3) </div> <div> God wants to know whether we will keep His righteous commandments. The first and greatest commandment, is to faithfully love Him above all else with our total being, and to continue doing so in the face of any type of pressure. Notice that in spite of the prophet or dreamer of dreams, God commands Israel, "You shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him and keep his commandments and obey His voice, and you shall serve him and cleave to Him." (Vs. 4) No one is to take away your devotion that belongs to God. To allow that, means eternal death for us! </div> <div> Jesus Christ also uses an expression very similar to what we just read in Deuteronomy concerning signs and wonders and not surprisingly, it is found in Matthew 24: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders [or visions]; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matt. 24:24) Jesus issues another warning to us in Rev. 3:11 - to "...not allow any man to take your crown" - primarily by enticing or tempting you away from God. </div> <div> Trusting in a man - any man - is one of the biggest mistakes you can make! God commands us through the Apostle Paul, to "prove all things, hold fast to that which is good," and that we are to "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." (1 Thess. 5:21 and Philip. 2:12) We can't put our eternal salvation in the hands of some high profile minister or some large corporate organization! Salvation is not and has never been, a "group affair." </div> <div> Even the great servant Moses was proven and found lacking. He was not permitted to enter the Promised Land. The Israelites, at the time, were camped in the desert of Zin (Num. 20:1) just prior to taking possession of the Promised land. </div> <div> While there, God proved or tried them for a little while - with the lack of water. "Now there was no water for the congregation; so they gathered together against Moses and Aaron. And the people contended with Moses and spoke, saying: ‘If only we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! Why have you brought up the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our animals should die here? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt, to bring us to this evil place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates; nor is there any water to drink.'" (Num. 20:2-5) The Israelites rebelled and judged God, but Moses' heart was not right either. "And the Lord spoke unto Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you believed Me not, to sanctify Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.'" (Vs. 12) Moses should have kept faith in God's mercy and greatness, even in adversity - and declared it to the people. Unfortunately, Moses did not sanctify or keep holy God's great name at this time of testing. </div> <div> God's leaders are to be His servants. They should be directing the people's focus to God and His goodness - not to themselves! God's people are not there to provide a professional ministry with a nice standard of living. Yet, too many today still look to some self-proclaimed "prophet" or "evangelist" to lead them and tell them what to think and do. </div> <div> Let's go back to the New Testament for another statement by Christ to His disciples in the book of Mark. This lesson is very much for us today, as we too await a " Promised Land." We too, as Christ's disciples, have to earnestly heed Christ's words. "Watch you and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." (Mark 14:38) The tempter has been allowed access to God's people in order to prove us. If our commitment to God is lukewarm, we will be tempted away from God by the deceiving spirit. </div> <div> When we look at our deceived world today, we see very little of God, and a whole lot of Satan. Moses recorded another warning for God's people in the book of Deuteronomy: "Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and you turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them." (Deut. 11:16) This is exactly what God's people are doing now. We all have done it at times. When we compromise and turn from goodness and truth to do iniquity, claiming it to be righteousness, we are deceiving ourselves. Our sins are like an invisible spiritual noose around our neck, which we can't see. Deception is false, and lies about the truth, thus causing spiritual darkness. It's originator is the devil who has no truth in him. On the other hand, our heavenly Father, in Christ, is the Holy Spirit of Truth. "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows Him: but you know Him; for He dwells with you, and shall be in you." (John 14:17) </div> <div> Christ was speaking to His beloved disciples, showing them that the Spirit of Truth would be coming unto them. We celebrate that yearly on the Feast of Pentecost. </div> <div> God gives His Holy Spirit to those that obey Him. (Acts 5:32) We must serve God for His Spirit of Truth to abide with us, so that we may walk in truth, or the spirit of deception will lay hold of us. Satan takes men captive without them even knowing it, because it comes by deception and those deceived by Satan don't know they are deceived! The Apostle John tells believers of his day, "I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth." (1 John 2:21) The Apostle John is writing to true brethren who have overcome the deceiver - by Jesus Christ living in them. He continues in 1 John 4:4, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." </div> <div> These brethren know the truth, because the Spirit of Truth dwelling in Christ is in them. It is only by the presence of the Holy Spirit of Truth, that we can know the truth. No lie is of the truth, yet many of God's people today are not truly seeking the truth. They seek those things they are comfortable with - the "smooth things." They are being lulled to sleep (Matt. 25:25) by the arch deceiver, Satan. Deception is the hallmark of the devil and will result in our separation from God! To be deceived is to be in spiritual captivity. Once in spiritual darkness, we do the will of the devil - even denying (rejecting) God Himself and His Son. "Whosoever denies the Son, the same has not the Father." (1 John 2:23) If we deny Jesus Christ from ruling us and do not sacrifice our life for His use, as we covenanted to do at baptism, then we do not have the Father either! This means we don't have life or truth - because they come only by the Father and Christ. In other words, we don't have the Holy Spirit. When God says that Satanic deception is involved, He is saying, "I am not there!" - to some of our great shame and peril! </div> <div> The true Gospel is the greatest possible news for mankind. So why is the Gospel being perverted and lost to those called to be partakers of it? Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong spoke of the Gospel as being the "Good News of the soon coming Kingdom of God." This is true. It is good news for all mankind that God is coming to rule in righteousness. But what does it mean now - to those called to be God's "first fruits?" What must we do to qualify to take our part in that ruling kingdom? Judgment is now on the house of God, Peter says, "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (1 Pet. 4:17) We, who are called to Christ, are now being proven or measured, or more specifically, tried and tested. </div> <div> Individuals without God's Holy Spirit will be easily deceived. And yet, we who have God's Spirit, cannot delve into the false security - the flattery of believing we "have it made." We must always be overcoming and prevailing with God. We must ensure that it is God whom we are listening to and His Word that we are living by! </div> <div> Deception through flatteries and the promoting of the flesh leads one end-time Church to it's downfall! The book of Revelation records that warning to the Laodiceans: "Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." (Rev. 3:17) The Laodiceans have a vanity problem. They already believe and act as though they have"made it." They believe they are rich in righteousness, but Christ tells them that He has the real riches to give, verse 18: "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see." God is telling them that if they do not have Christ; that they are spiritually poor and do not possess the life and true righteousness of God - His Holy Spirit of Truth. God cannot rule these Laodiceans, because they are not humble. To become a vessel for God's Spirit, we must become like the person God has Isaiah describe: "Thus says the Lord: ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,' Says the Lord. ‘But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word'"(Isa. 66:1-2). Jesus Christ did not announce the Gospel until He overcame Satan's temptations, as it records in Matt. 4. Christ was then qualified to preach the Gospel in word, and deed. The Gospel message proclaimed the coming Kingdom of God and that the Most High God would come to dwell in us, through His Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ was a living fulfillment of the Gospel. What we saw in Christ was the Father in action. As Christ readily admitted, the words and works that He spoke and did, were actually the Father's. The love, mercy and truth that Christ displayed was actually the Father's. Christ was a living example of the Holy Spirit living in the flesh. </div> <div> Could there be anything greater than man partaking of God through His Spirit - with all His wonderful righteousness, majesty, truth and eternal life? What a gift! Do we, as God's people believe this and do everything possible to walk worthy of Him? Do we give our life as a living sacrifice, in humility, and obedience? Do we cleave to Him with all our heart, body, and soul? That is the First and Greatest Commandment you know. Do we fear God, or more appropriately, fear not to be with Him - the results of which are spiritual darkness, deception, iniquity and death? Are we following the example of Jesus Christ in being a responsible witness and steward for God and His truth? Depending on how we answered those questions, we could actually be denying or rejecting Him! </div> <div> I would like to highlight a few points found in 2 Thessalonians: 2 Thess. 2:10 states that we will perish if we don't love the truth of God! That certainly applies to the end-time Church of God. If you check the context, Paul is actually addressing this to the brethren who will be alive at Christ's return, and who are gathered unto Him - that's verse 1. He then specifies events occurring just before that return, beginning in verse 2. The falling away (from truth) and the man of sin is revealed verse 3. The warnings and examples given in the Scriptures are for our example and edification (1 Cor. 10:11), so Paul is talking to us. His warning is to the Church of God existing at the end of this age - to those who are called to partake of God's Spirit of Truth. A tragic and horrific occurrence is unfolding for those who have been deceived from the way of righteousness. As a result, they are perishing because they don't receive the Holy Spirit of Truth. They don't receive Jesus Christ with the Father - who would save them. God is love and truth and we cannot survive without Him.. </div> <div> Many of God's people are being told that they more or less "have it made" if they warm the seat of a particular corporate Church of God, or follow this or that "prophet" or "evangelist." I see more and more of a spirit of "exclusivism" cropping up in many of the various splinter Churches of God. They say you must belong to their little group or you are not really part of the "one and only, true Church." Is that true, or do the facts show us that there is no evangelist or large congregation, or anything that we can do or feel that accounts us to be worthy in the eyes of God. Only through the gift of God Himself in us, can we "have" the Spirit of Truth. The Spirit of Truth is the Holy Spirit of the Father and He is the One who is being rejected by those who are deceived into rejecting the Spirit of Truth! </div> <div> We must do what Christ did. That is, to overcome Satan by living by every word of God. Then we will be receiving God's love and truth - His Holy Spirit as it says in Acts 5:32: He "gives His Holy Spirit to those who obey Him." It is the Father's life and righteousness, in Christ, coming to us that saves us from perishing in deceit and unrighteousness. "For in Him (Christ) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." (Col. 2:9-10) </div> <div> As we saw earlier, Christ told His disciples that He was with them - just as He is with the Laodiceans, knocking on their door. However, He is not in them, but rather, outside knocking to spiritually wake them. We have to allow Christ to rule us - for Him to be in us. The self-righteous Laodiceans shut the door on Christ. He was on the outside, knocking to get in! When Christ spues the Laodiceans out of His mouth, not only will He not be in them, but He no longer will be with them! What a horrific state to be in! They are left without Christ or God, and that allows the spirit of the devil to then take them captive and to further increase their deception. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Cor. 1:18) The "cross" refers to Jesus Christ who was offered (crucified) for us and has the Father to give to us. </div> <div> Let's take another look at 2 Thessalonians 2. We‘ll break in on the thought in vs. 10, where Paul is talking about signs, and lying wonders, "...and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved." And because they reject the truth, Paul says in vs. 11, "And for this cause (or for that reason) God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie." Or, as some authorities call it, "The Lie." The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary refers to "the lie," as being "the mother of all lies." That is, thinking one has life, but in actual fact they have death - they are perishing! We have been called to the Gospel, to receive the Holy Spirit of the Father who is Life, Truth and Righteousness. Because so many of God's people are rejecting the Spirit of Truth, they are sent strong delusion, to believe they have life, but in actual fact are walking towards eternal death! </div> <div> The "cross," referred to earlier in 1 Cor. 1:18, also means the giving up of our life - being "crucified," - so to speak, with Him. We are then made alive again by Christ's life reigning in our mortal bodies. Christ is what saves us from sure death: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation (or atonement)." (Rom. 5:8-11) </div> <div> Part of the true Gospel is that God the Father would come to man - by His indwelling Holy Spirit. His righteousness and eternal life is imparted to those He rules. Therefore, the Gospel also includes the message of salvation and elevation to glory for man - who was previously captive to sin and death. The Bible is very clear, man is corruptible and unrighteous and our hearts deceive us. Humble repentance is a prerequisite, yet many erroneously think that they just have to have their past sins forgiven. However, repentance is about who and what we are. At best, our righteousness is to God like filthy rags. Paul says in Romans 7:23, that there is a "law of sin in our body," which must be brought into subjection to God. The only way to receive the Spirit of our Father is through receiving His Son Jesus Christ. Christ keeps the law in us. Without Him, we are under the death sentence as that same law decrees. We become complete with Christ in us: "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." (Col. 2:9-10) Christ alone has the Father to give to us. Only God's Spirit in us can save us, and it is the only way we can receive Christ and be reconciled to God. When we receive the Holy Spirit and allow God to rule us - both in mind and body, to lead us to do His will - then we qualify to be called a son of God. </div> <div> For those called now to the House of God, judgment and measuring are now taking place. When we fall short, we must be quick to repent and turn to God with all supplication and obedience, that He may forgive us and save us from perishing. It is our eternal life that is in jeopardy and we must not allow ourselves to be beguiled by the devil again. If we do, God says we will surely die. We must heed God's warning and judgements concerning us, so we can benefit by applying them in our lives. </div> <div> Romans 3:23 says we are "Justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." "Grace" is just another word for God Himself, or His Spirit, received only through Jesus Christ dwelling in us - the hope of glory. (Col. 1:27) Flesh without God will not be saved, no matter how well we think we keep the law. We desperately need to receive God - His Holy Spirit, for He is our eternal life. </div> <div> We have been called to the most intimate relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 states that "our fellowship is with the Father and His Son." The New English Bible renders it, "that life which we share with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ." We are to become one with God - which is nothing less than the message of Atonement! With all those God has called to be "first fruits," the eventual outcome is: either we qualify for life eternal, or rejection and death. The measuring, or assessment, is for those now called of God. We all need to wake up from our state of half-hearted lukewarmness and cry out for God's help in order that we may overcome the adversary. Unless Christ is in us, we can not prevail over Satan! Revelation 3:21 shows the reward for those who do prevail and overcome is to sit on the very throne of God. Those that don't prevail, which includes those who quench the Holy Spirit, or reject God - end up in the third resurrection - to be destroyed eternally. How tragic that would be after seeing what God had offered to us and our rejection of it! </div> <div> The parables of Jesus Christ have a very clear message for those called to be His disciples. I would encourage you to review the parables found in Matthew 8 and 22. Meditate on expressions such as "weeping and gnashing of teeth." It pertains to banishment from the kingdom of God. The "gathering of the tares for burning," in Matt. 13, depicts the same fate. The Parable of the Ten Virgins, in Matt. 25, pictures some making it to the marriage feast with Christ, and others being shut out forever! </div> <div> We are coming to the end. The Bridegroom comes! Our wedding garments must be made white. God's Plan of Salvation presses inexorably on. The Wedding Supper approaches quickly. </div> <div> Jesus tells us that He is "...the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father, except by Me." (John 14:6) But, He also warns us it won't be easy. It is a difficult path, requiring much personal sacrifice and it is dotted with those who seek to side-track us. "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matt. 7:14-15) Our part is to put God first and foremost, making His Word our master. For your own salvation, you must "try the spirit" of what you are reading and believing. God commands us to! Try the spirits - prove all things. Don't believe the traditions of men. Don't be deceived - believe your Bible! If we are not diligently doing this, the peril of deception will result. We have to test, try and prove. We need to be drinking in truth because the end of this age is perilously dominated by deception. We cannot afford to be simple and timid about this. God says, "judge righteous judgement." God expects us to reject evil and to embrace good, just as Christ did. The world can't do this, but those called of God can and must. We are without excuse if we fail to avail ourselves of what has been offered to us! </div> <div> We really only have two choices - either we believe what comes from Christ, or the alternative: that which comes from anti-Christ. We have been called to choose life over death. There is a Spirit of Truth and a spirit of error and deception. We cannot know, understand, or love God except by His indwelling Spirit. The Apostle John wrote, "We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." (1 John 4:6) If we fail to discern good from evil and even worse, fail to chose to do the good, then the days ahead may prove to be a very hard teacher for us. If we rely only on ourselves, we are doomed to fail. We need God to help us. The key, is to make certain we are doing our part and fulfilling the conditions necessary to ensure God remains with us. </div> <div> So much has been written and spoken about " the truth" by God's servants. Yet so many of God's people find themselves in darkness, because of deception. At the time of His return, Christ asks whether He would find faith. He also mentions in the prophecies of Matthew 24, that it is a time of false prophets who deceive many. Why? Because iniquity abounds and the love of many waxes cold. Christ is speaking about those God has called to be disciples - not the world. Iniquity is simply the absence of living God's way in accordance with His Word. </div> <div> Jesus Christ said that we would know whether people are of God or not, by their fruits or conduct. "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." (Matt. 7:16-20) The fruits of God's Spirit will be manifested in those who are truly of God. We all know the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control." Those of the truth will be displaying all these godly blessings and benefits to the edification of others. God's love is outgoing - other people always benefit from godly fruits! </div> <div> The Holy Spirit dwelling within us brings forth, or displays God's love in our deeds and conduct. It's not something we can hide. It becomes like a lamp in our life - lighting our path and illuminating the lives of others. </div> <div> Without God's Holy Spirit of truth with you and in you, deception and death will be at your door. So don't let any man deceive you with flatteries and lies - teaching the traditions of men. </div> <div> Prove all things from God's Word and hold fast. </div> <div> Pete Fleming </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>