Disciples Watch Out For False Teachers
Matthew 24:4,5
Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many”
~Jesus
Jesus told His followers that we would have to deal with false teachers, and the Apostle Paul reiterated that in his writings. Sometimes a teaching is false because the individual approaching us has an agenda that is not from God. Other times an ungodly agenda can come not from the false teacher but from our own desires. Some of our desires are good, others not so much. In these situations, we can find ourselves gravitating toward teachings that align with what our "itching ears" want to hear, looking for license to do what God's scriptures do not permit (see 2 Timothy 4:3). This week’s devotion reminds us to be aware of how we can be misled -- and to stand vigilant against it. But we do not have to fear such possibilities, for we have the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth.
Prayer For the Week
Spirit of God, You lead us to the truth and protect us from the attacks of the devil, the father of lies. Help us to not buy into the tantalizing lies the world is full of, nor succumb to our sinful nature’s ungodly desires, nor follow the alluring lies of leaders who speak with great charisma yet lead people away from You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 27:1-6
- The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid? - When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall. - Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident. - One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple. - For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock. - Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Pondering Point
Central to these verses is a phrase in v. 4 – to gaze on the beauty of the Lord. Pause now and let your internal eyes gaze on the beauty of the Lord: What beauty do you see in your mind’s eye (or spirit’s eye)?