4 Ways to Avoid Spiritual Deception-Test Every Spirit

Jesus warned us about the prevalence of deception in the last days. He said many false prophets would arise to deceive if possible the very elect. The only sure way not to be deceived in these last days is to walk in a close and intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ who is TRUTH itself, and cultivate a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that his sheep know his voice (John 10:27-28)

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

1 John 4:1

The only way to know a counterfeit voice is to know the authentic one.

Jesus told us that he would not leave us as orphans but would send us the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of TRUTH who would guide us into ALL TRUTH and TEACH US ALL THINGS (John 16:13, John 14:26). The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God and reveals it to us. He searches all things and knows all things (1 Corinthians 2:11-16). The Holy Spirit glorifies the Lord Jesus and not human beings. He reveals to us what the Lord Jesus is speaking. (John 16:13-14)

Apostle John warned us not to believe every spirit but to test the spirits because many false prophets are gone out into the world. False prophets speak some truth but add falsehood to it. It takes discernment to know what is false. And discernment comes from cultivating a relationship with Jesus.

Here are 4 ways to grow our discernment so we can effectively test every spirit to know whether it is of God:

1. Studying the word of God

This is one of the key ways to cultivate discernment. The word of God is truth. Anything contrary is falsehood. Without knowing God’s word it’s easy to be deceived by every wind of doctrine. That’s why every child of God must make it a habit to study the bible prayerfully and meditate upon it day and night. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit, and by it, we can rightly defend our faith against deception and stand for truth. (Ephesians 6:17)

When Satan tried to deceive Jesus during his temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4), he defeated the devil by using the word of God. He declared to him each time, “It is written…”. Jesus did not depend on his feelings or desires but on the word of God which is truth. Eve was tempted and overcome in the Garden of Eden because she did not stand with God’s word spoken to them but allowed Satan to twist it and deceive her. (Genesis 3:1) False prophets twist God’s word and a Christian who never studies God’s word is easy prey for them.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

2. Praying daily to the Father in the name of Jesus

It is through prayer that we build a relationship with God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and learn to know the voice of Jesus deeply. You can only know his voice when you spend time with him. He is our beloved.

You cannot know someone intimately if you don’t spend time with them. It is easy for someone to counterfeit your loved one’s voice if you don’t know them well. But if you know Jesus, then you know his voice and a stranger you will not follow. The bride of Christ knows his voice because they spend time with him intimately and love him. Jesus will never allow you to be deceived if you are his bride and his friend. His voice will be known to you.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

John 10:27

Praise and worship are also important in our prayer times as this helps us grow to love and adore Jesus.

Praying in tongues regularly and fasting are also important as it helps you to walk in the Spirit rather than in the flesh. When we walk in the Spirit we hear God’s voice better.

3. Humility and total dependence on God

The Bible says that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs, is the Kingdom of God”, and “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:3,6) He also said, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3)

Humility means depending on God like a child and not leaning on your own understanding. It is a complete dependence on God for guidance and direction. Such an attitude can never be denied by God. If we humble ourselves and admit we know nothing and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us without any preconceived notions, he will. Deception comes easily to the proud, however, because they are led by their own wisdom and will, rather than God’s will. The humble depend on God, but the proud depend on their own wisdom.

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6

4. Loving Truth- Loving Jesus and loving your neighbor as yourself

When we love truth more than anything, that sincerity in our hearts will keep us from deception. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. This means we must love him more than anything and anyone, even more than our desire to be right. And because Jesus is love, we too must love our neighbors as ourselves. If we love others, we will have pure motives, and the pure in heart always see God. The pure in heart are not drawn to deception but to God.

We love Jesus by keeping his commandments (John 14:15). Sin opens the door to Satan and separates us from God. But righteousness keeps one rightly connected with God. And in the right connection with God, you will hear his voice because nothing will obstruct it.

Obedience proves that we love Jesus. And when we love him he says he and the Father will manifest themselves to us. (John 14:23) If we love Jesus we will love truth. And if we love Jesus we will love one another. Where there is love, deception cannot abide because Love is Light while deception is darkness.

“If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin”

1 John 1:6-7

The guard against deception is Jesus Christ himself

Deception usually comes when we open a door to the devil either through ignorance, unbelief, sin, or pride. Studying God’s word, prayer, humility, and love (obedience) will keep us in truth as it will keep us in a close relationship with Jesus who is the TRUTH. The guard against deception is Jesus himself.

Lastly remember that if you have believed in Jesus, you have his Spirit living in you and he will teach you all things. Running to men instead of running to Jesus, is the main reason many get deceived. Love Jesus more than anything or anyone.

“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.”

1 John 2:27

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