An Important Appeal To People of Faith Everywhere
Paul made a final appeal to people of faith in Rome. One that we should continue to take to heart and apply to life…
And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.
Romans 16:17–18
Watch out! Be cautious! Know the truth!
It is the enemy’s goal to deceive and divide God’s children. Remember, he is the “father of lies.”
Jesus said…
[The devil] has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:44
There is only one way to remain faithful and strong when the enemy surrounds us with his lies, and that is to KNOW the TRUTH.
Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31–32
Jesus is the TRUTH. His Word is TRUTH.
And you and I must compare everything we read and hear to the truth of God’s Word, prayerfully asking Him to fill us and guide us in our faith. Just because someone wrote a book or preaches from a pulpit or lectern doesn’t make what they’re saying true.
But it’s impossible to separate the truth from the lies … if we don’t KNOW the TRUTH.
Remember, we don’t “have to” obey God. But when we KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST Him “we want” to obey Him. If we don’t know what He wants, we’ll selfishly listen to those who tell us what we want.
That’s why the Spirit inspired Paul to write this to Timothy, and all people of faith…
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
2 Timothy 4:3
If we don’t know the truth, we will follow those who speak the messages we want to hear.
So, by the power of the Spirit, we SEEK the Lord and KNOW His TRUTH. It is the only way the rest of Paul’s words will apply to us.
But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Romans 16:19–20
What is Paul’s important appeal to all of us…
Know the TRUTH of God’s Word. Faithfully pray and ask the Lord to give you wisdom and discernment. And watch out for those who share the enemy’s lies, trying to deceive and divide people of faith.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer for People of Faith to
Discern God’s Truth
Father God, thank you for Your Word of Truth! You want us to KNOW You and Your will for us. You gifted King Solomon with wisdom, and inspired him to write…
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do,
and He will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)
Your Truth can’t unite us in faith if we don’t KNOW it. Instead, we will listen to and believe the lies the enemy teaches. Yes, we are prone to believing those who tell us what we want to hear. It’s nothing new. The enemy twisted Your instructions to Adam and Eve, convincing them to doubt You and Your love. And he did the same to the Wilderness Wanderers and countless others throughout Scripture.
Thank you for sharing their struggles with us. Thank you for telling us the ways we cause ourselves pain when we accept distortions of Your truths. Please forgive me for the times I’ve listened to and accepted false teachings.
I pray that Your Spirit will work in me, helping me to SEEK Your Kingdom. I pray to KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST YOU with all that I am. May we all search the Scriptures day after day, like the Bereans, to know if individuals are teaching Your truth.
May we be obedient to Your will, and may Your mercy and grace be with us. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.
I’m thankful for these verses and quotes about people of faith having wisdom and discernment…
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you.
James 1:5a
“The first point of wisdom is to discern that which is false; the second, to know that which is true.” ~ Assorted Authors
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey His commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise Him forever!
Psalm 111:10
Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right. ~ Charles Spurgeon
Lead me by Your truth and teach me,
Psalm 25:5
for You are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in You.
I pray the Lord will bless you with wisdom and discernment. May you and the people around you be united in faith through God’s truth.
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Wish everyone could see and understand the depth of how desperately the world needs to truly discern the TRUTH of GOD’s WORD! So many distortions of God’s Truth are being thrown off the Santa train like candy. Thank you Deb, for keeping God’s Truths, “real, front and centered” for all of us! Thanking God, for your beautiful ministry and your beautiful heart!
Kathy,
It does my heart so good to see you back on this site and your comments. I have missed you. You are one sweet lady, and I sure do pray for the best for you. You have had so much to go through, but you are a tough gal.
Much Love,
Sue
I’ve never heard it said like that, Kathy! I’m going to remember that, it’s great! Know that I’m praying for you, dear friend! Thanks for your wonderful encouragement. Blessings to you!!
Deb, thank you for this very enlightening post. I love the verses you quoted. Indeed, we do have some who will try to distort the truth and lead us on a wrong path. I have read so much of scripture, and I personally feel like obedience to God is the key. I have learned that it is He who is totally trustworthy and His character proves it. I am grateful that I have the “True God!” The God of all creation. I am also thankful of Servants like you who impart so much wisdom and love in what you do. God certainly knows who to choose to spread His word.
Hope that you have a wonderful weekend and stay safe.
God Bless You my sweet friend!
Sue
Thanks so much, Sue. I’m just finishing reading the Old Testament again, and the more I read through Scripture the more I am convinced that God is who He says He is. He alone is the One True God. I’m constantly in awe that He gave so much that we could KNOW Him. Praying you have a wonderful weekend, as well. Blessings to you!!
May we all pursue God’s truth so we can make wise, holy decisions. Blessings, Deb!
Amen, Martha! We are so blessed that God graciously gave us His Word of truth and His Spirit to believe. God bless you!!