The Bible tells us that Satan can appear as an angel of light, and he mixes truth with error, making it sound good. Be very careful. There is danger where we do not see the message in the one who preached it. If we continue surrounding ourselves in their presence, we will behold their character and become changed by their spirit.
Deception comes in many forms sounding alright, looking nice. But we are to observe spiritually and allow the Word to judge.
“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).
Essentially, righteous judgment is an investigation guided by the Word, under the discerning influence of the Holy Spirit, to know the fruit and to know the tree bearing the fruit. The Holy Ghost gives the eye the sight to see, the ears to hear, and the mind to know and understand. God’s discernment reveals what many others may not see. Many may just overlook the sin and say, “Oh, God is not done with them.”
Without making light of sin, prayerfully and in the spirit of love for the sinner, call sin out by its right name—not sugarcoating, not overlooking.
Leviticus 19:15-16 KJV
[15] Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. [16] Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.
Be careful of who you hold up, have no respect of persons. Judge righteous judgement no matter who it is.
Deuteronomy 1:16-18 KJV
[16] And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. [17] Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. [18] And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.
The one in err will repent if they truly have the love of God, and love God. We will hear them again seeing the Spirit of God has converted them. With true repentance, conversion of the soul is seen. Change is seen. The life will reflect the Word planted in the heart (mind).
Be mindful to measure everything by the Word. It is the subtle things that are often times unnoticed, revealing the character behind the wall. Those subtle things may not be revealed in the person themselves but they may be manifested in others of their household.
Pray for “them” but do not flatter them with the tongue; do not make light of the sin discerned. Do not give them “Props”, their head will swell; and those flattering, giving props reveal their own true character.
The outside actions, and presentation carefully discerned reveals the true character that is not seen behind the walls of the mind, behind the doors closed.
2 Corinthians 4:1-2 KJV
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; [2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
The walk with God is a serious walk. Souls are at stake. We are watchmen. Being a watcman one has to know to discern the tree by its fruit. If not spiritually discerned (Spiritual things are spiritually discerned), one will be deceived; one will then behold and become changed. Remember that.
Many are moved because they are drawn to that which brings “excitement”. The Word is fire and needs no craftiness, no mishandling to make it “exciting” nor to make it pierce the heart (mind). These are like the false revivals.
God’s Word is a two-edged sword. The Word will do what God spoke it to do. The Word read in one’s hearing kindles fire in them; no tactics of music nor in presenting is needed. The Holy Spirit needs no “help.” The Truth makes us free, free indeed. We are to discern spiritual things spiritually.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 KJV
Exciting the “lookers“ is Satanic. Satan gets the mind distracted and thus they behold and become changed by the speaker and not the Word through the Holy Spirit.
I times past, I sent sermons, Bible studies to others, without asking God first. He has quietly corrected me: “You did not ask me.”
I am mindful now to be careful and mindful to go to God first. He knows what, when, where, who, why, and how. I know nothing and can do nothing without God. We are not to think anything. God calls us to search out and know. God gives us the knowledge and understanding through His Spirit. Without God’s understanding, we truly know nothing, and therefore, will be deceived.
Discern spiritual things with God’s Spirit, who gives discernment. Be not deceived.
Hebrews 5:14 KJV
[14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
1 Corinthians 2:11-16 KJV
[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. [15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. [16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Maranatha