Copyright 2012 Theresa Harvard Johnson
Setting A Foundation
I received a question today from a Believer. The question was simple, “How am I to know the truth (of God) from a lie?”
Before answering it, I want to make this statement: No believer, no matter how holy people may want you to believe they are, is above deception. While we are not to be paranoid, we are to constantly remain on guard against doctrines, practices, idolatry and beliefs that oppose the heart, mind and will of our Father in Heaven. Those who have been walking with the Lord a while as his “elect — meaning chosen” can fall prey to deception just as a “proselyte or a babe” can be deceived.
In other words, it is “possible” for any believer to fall prey to the lies of the enemy — regardless of who they perceive themselves to be; how long they’ve been saved; what they may be doing or where they think they are going at any particular moment in time.
A few passages that remind us of these biblical truths include:
Matthew 24:24 CJB says, “For there will appear false Messiahs and false prophets performing great miracles — amazing things! — so as to fool even the chosen (the elect), if possible.”
Ephesians 4:14 CJB says, “We will then no longer be infants tossed about by the waves and blown along by every wind of teaching, at the mercy of people clever in devising ways to deceive.“
In addition, we also have to understand this truth as well: “There are ALL KINDS of deception.” I capitalized those two words — not to shout — but to emphasize the magnitude of the lies that can and will present themselves to us.
You see, we need to understand that “lies or deception” (and I use these words interchangeably here) are not limited to false teachings and misquoted scriptures heard orally or written. They are also things presented, seen, lived, inferred, “mentored” and demonstrated as truth — but are in actuality lies and deception. Sometimes, they are released so subtlety and casually that without keen discernment (meaning Holy Spirit radar) – you would completely miss the deception!
2 Timothy 3 CJB has a pretty good synopsis of the type of lies or deception we are coming against as believers. It reads, “1 Moreover, understand this: in the acharit-hayamim (last days) will come trying times. 2 People will be self-loving, money-loving, proud, arrogant, insulting, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, uncontrolled, brutal, hateful of good, 4 traitorous, headstrong, swollen with conceit, loving pleasure rather than God, 5 as they retain the outer form of religion but deny its power. Stay away from these people! 6 For some of them worm their way into homes and get control of weak-willed women who are heaped with sins and swayed by various impulses, 7 who are always learning but never able to come to full knowledge of the truth. 8 In the same way as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moshe, so also these people oppose the truth. They are people with corrupted minds, whose trust cannot pass the test.“
The passage of scripture above tells us the types of lies and deceptions we can expect to face. For example, we see a large number of believers following people who are moving strongly in “self-love, greed, pride, insulting and arrogance.” They have made these people (and their ministries) idols. In this example, you might hear “sound doctrine” preached; but behind the words it is not practiced, lived or walked out. In other words, it is a “fruitless” message from “corrupt minds.”
So, people “buy into what they hear and see” without keen discernment to know what is truly “presented to them.” If they are not careful, they will fall prey to the deception and call “evil good and good evil” unaware.
Knowing The Truth From A Lie
I could sit here as I type this blog this morning, and give you a check list and say “this is what you have to do.” I have learned, however, that there are only TWO SURE WAYS to ensure that you are not deceived along your journey deeper into Father. I pray that you hear me by the Spirit as I share this simple, basic bible wisdom with you:
- Passionately and intimately seek to know the Lord with all your heart, soul and might.
- As you come to know Him in a deeper and more intimate way, you will supernaturally begin to recognize His voice verses that of a stranger or a hireling. We must first become and remain sheep. This, people of God, is a biblical promise – not something I made up. Read Deuteronomy 6:1-6 & John 10.
- Study the Word to show yourselves approved by the Lord.
- The very character of God as well as His mind is revealed through His Word. Consume yourself in His Word and ask Ruach Hakodesh to give you a continuous flow of revelation concerning what you read. Our Lord, Yahshua, is revealed in every page. Read 2 Timothy 2:15-16.
This may not be the godly counsel you want or even what you think you need. But I tell you this: This is the battleground from which truth and lies are divided. While godly, appointed servants can release to you wisdom, counsel, advice, insight and direction at the hand of the Lord… the end of the matter is settled in YOUR relationship with Father. Pursue God, even when surrounded by godly wisdom. Search out the matter until you have confirmation and understanding of your own getting.
With this firmly established, let’s talk about some foundational basics of distinguishing the truth from a lie that you may also take to the heart. This isn’t intended to be a complete list by any means — but it is practical.
Believers will quickly learn that deception and lies will:
- Contradict the written Word – not only literally, but in application and revelation. (1 Timothy 6:3) Not everything can be found in the Word “verbatim” — but there are many examples, scenarios, etc. that also present or fortify the Word. Again, this is why you must know the Lord and the Word for yourself. For example: Some assemblies teach that same sex marriage is okay. However, the original translations of the scriptures and their interpretations by the scholars of that time clearly show that marriage is established among the people of God as between one man and one woman. It is an issue that is not debatable in the Word.
- Release a spirit of death upon those subjected to it. Lies and deception are designed to destroy anything that God has established. (John 10:10) Signs of death include strong influences of discouragement, despair, frustration, chaos, confusion, ungodly confrontation, etc.
- Manipulate others to obey the will of men or the will of the flesh rather than God. (Genesis 12:11-13; Genesis 37:28,31-33; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Galatians 5:1; Ezekiel 34:4) Beware of any service or activity that forcibly seeks to exalt, idolize or raise up men as if they are gods in an untouchable hierarchy. A thorough bible study, with Ruach Hakodesh guiding, will bring great clarity in this area as you study out servanthood and humility. In many religious Christian environments, people are “pressured” into doing things out of false obligation and subtle threats verses being given the option to do or not do by the leading of the Lord. If Father doesn’t force himself on us; how much more is required of us as servants to His people. In addition, beware of any longing within your soul that presses you to do anything that is solely emotion or pleasure driven. This might be a sign of deception in the battlefield of your mind. This could also include influencing other relationships around you — spouses, friends, mentors, etc. or using one’s weaknesses or needs to get them to do what they want. This is often tied to scriptures taught — manipulatively and out of context.
- Exist in hypocrisy. (James 1:22, 26) In other words, people who say, speak or record one thing out of their mouths but live in a completely contradictory manor are living a lie. It is biblical to know the fruit of the lives of those who we behold as mentors, teachers and leaders. In fact, scripture encourages us to get to know them in the Lord.
- Attempt to cover-up or gloss-over sin. (2 Kings 5:25; Proverbs 26:24-28) Instead of humbly admitting that sin is in the midst, confronting it and walking in repentance; there will be a concerted effort to dismiss, avoid, hide or cover-up the blatant sin. This can also involve pulling or drawing other people into the “cover-up” from loyalty to man verses God; and/or minimizing the impact of sin.
It is my prayer that this teaching is clear. In my walk with the Lord, I’ve come to learn to listen to the “checks and alarms” in my Spirit. I might not be able to put my finger on “exactly what the problem is” but I have become sensitive enough to stop and wait on Father until He speaks.
Also, I don’t want to overlook the importance of having godly mentorship in your life. Those relationships will demand nothing of you — but to see you SERVE THE FATHER with all your might. Those relationships will CONSISTENTLY lead you directly to the heart of the Lord — His Word and His Will.
Proverbs 19:20-21 CJB says, “20 Listen to advice, and accept discipline, so that in the end you will be wise. 21 One can devise many plans in one’s mind, but ADONAI’s plan will prevail.”
Proverbs 15:31-33 CJB says, “31 He who heeds life-giving correction will be at home in the company of the wise. 32 He who spurns discipline detests himself, but he who listens to correction grows in understanding. 33 The discipline of wisdom is fear of ADONAI, so before being honored, a person must be humble.”
Just one more thing: I often hear people say that they WILL KNOW the truth from a lie because it will “bear witness” with their Spirit. I am highlighting this because SOMETIMES it is difficult for people to distinguish between when something is bearing witness with their SOUL and when it is the SPIRIT. This is why I didn’t place this on the list. It would just be too easy to rest in it. I believe Father wants us to know that when our WITNESS BECOMES PURE (deeply rooted in him without compromise or mixture) then, and only then, can we be sure that this “witness” is indeed the Lord. Rooted leaders will tell you that they see this error often in ministry. I share this, not in self-righteousness, but as a testimony and in wisdom.
There are so many in the body in this hour whose lives do not line up with the Word, but they say they have a witness within them. It is my prayer that THIS witness will get in touch with Holy Spirit and be renewed. (1 Corinthians 3:18)
People of God, I heard Father says this as I concluded this teaching: “Beloved, desire to know the truth from a lie. Surely, I will give you the desires of your heart. I will reveal myself to you as I have promised… as you continuously search out the truth. Be prepared to receive all that I will show you….”
This quest of “knowing the truth from a lie” is at the center of our Father’s will.
