The Deceiver Within

2 John 1: 7-11

7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh This is the deceiver and the antichrist.

8Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.

9Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.

10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;

11for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.

We’ve heard about false teachers. John mentioned it in 1 John. As I was reading this today though, something crossed my mind: what about the deceiver within us? What about that sinful part of us that gets filled with pride and ignores the Truth?

those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, this is the deciever and the antichrist. So what is it in you and others that deny Christ is God incarnate that died for our sins? The great deceiver is lying to you. Sometime believing a lie is easier than facing the truth. That’s why we lie to ourselves all the time. I do it too. But “the truth will set you free” has so much more meaning that a mere question of morality. It is the freedom that Christ came to give us!

It isn’t until we take that step to stop living in denial, to stop believing the lies and face the truth that our eyes are not only opened to the truth (I once was blind but now I see) that were are able to embrace the truth and reject the lies. (deny the enemy a foothold and he will flee from you in the name of Jesus Christ).

Verse 10 seems like a easy basis to reject non Christians from entering our homes. Today I see it in a different meaning. Our bodies are temporary dwellings for our spirit. If we look at this verse in that light, it tells us to reject the false teachings about God, church, the bible and all those other things that create feelings of doubt, fear, reservation, and uncertainty. There is but one certainty in this world, and that is God and His love for us. There is only one way to accept that love, and it’s through Christ, for only through Him do we have access to the Father.

I’ve talked before about discernment. Paul laid it out for us in Romans that if we ever question our motives, our feelings, our emotions and if they are of God, to cross reference with the bible. It is the word of God and if it’s not in there, it’s not of Him.

Who are you listening to? The deceiver or the Truth?

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