Truth and Lies- Know the Difference
Today, in America, we celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s a time to pause, gather with family and friends, feast on traditional foods and family favorites, and be thankful. I’m thankful for all of you who faithfully follow Join the PAC Prayer! What started as an occasional ‘encouragement’ to others on Facebook has grown into a global community of parents and loved ones praying for their sons and daughters. It’s an amazing community of brothers and sisters in Christ and a powerful, praying force!. It is a joy to connect with you and to see God moving and working. I’m grateful for the opportunity to encourage you and pray that God uses each of us to impact others for His Kingdom! From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!!
1 John 2:21-26 “I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—eternal life. I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.”
Smooth talkers. We see them everywhere. Years ago, they were often called ‘Snake Oil Salesmen’ because these people would peddle remedies that were acclaimed to cure every ailment. Most often, however, it was a concoction of colored water that did nothing but cost the buyer precious money that they couldn’t really afford to spare. Fast-forward a century and the snake oil salesman became the used car salesman, telling the buyer whatever he needed to hear in order to sell the car. Deception and falsehoods were all part of the game. Integrity was not part of the job description. Today, smooth talkers are not just limited to the used car lot. You see them on TV, you find them at your front door selling utility plans, you also find them in church or other ministries. Friends, these people are not out to point you to Christ, they’re out to gain followers who will financially support them in the way they think they should live. They are slick, smiley, appealing, and peddle a message that is just a bit ‘off’ from scripture, but close enough to fool the unwary.
John warns us that we need to be mindful of the truth. Yes, we know what scripture says, but are we paying particular attention to what that individual or ministry says and how it aligns with scripture? If something is a little ‘off’ that’s a big indication that something is not right. Don’t dismiss the stirring of the Holy Spirit in your heart, friends!! If you feel uneasy in your spirit, it’s likely there is something very wrong with the message you’re hearing. Be alert!!
Satan has the mighty power to deceive. And he does. If he deceived the only two humans living, who daily walked and talked with God in the garden, face to face, imagine what he can do today?! We have to be on our guard. It doesn’t matter how genuine someone sounds or how friendly and caring they are. It doesn’t matter how many followers they have.. If their message is not scriptural, it’s deception and we need to run the other direction!!
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters cling to the truth of scripture and weigh everything they hear against the Truth. “No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you.” Let’s pray that what they’ve heard from the beginning remains in them and that God’s Word continues to stay rooted in them, deepening their knowledge and understanding of Jesus.
“Father, my heart’s desire is that (name) would remain true to Your Word and the authenticity of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Guard them against the deception that is so prevalent around us. Holy Spirit, help (name) to be sensitive to Your promptings and I ask that You would give them pause when they hear a message that is deceptive. Give them Godly discretion to know when a ‘good-sounding’ message is not Biblical. Give them swift feet to walk away from those people and ideas that would draw them away from Christ. Thank you for the Truth of Your Word and that it is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. I pray that (name) would have a strong desire each day to spend time in Scripture, learning about You, gaining wisdom and understanding that would protect them from the enemy’s lies. Thank you for Your love and protection, Lord. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.”