The Word of God tells us to test everything that comes our way, especially that which offers 'spiritual insight' ... i.e. religious viewpoints expressed by preachers, teachers, fellow believers, and authors (including the writer of this devotional).
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1
We are bombarded with worldly messages that seek to influence our thinking. Movies, music, television, social media, newspapers, books, etc - all these can negatively impact your walk of faith. Jesus prayed for us concerning this threat ...
I have given them your Word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. John 17:14
Since believers are 'in the world, but not of the world' we cannot insulate ourselves from 'cultural' pressures. But if we walk in the Spirit, He helps us distinguish truth from error, right from wrong, and good from evil. Knowing the Word of God will expose that which fails to align with genuine Christianity.
Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good. Thessalonians 5:21
To 'hold fast' is to be diligent, cling to, or take a firm grasp of that which is acceptable in God's sight. It allows us to stand firm when deceptions come like sheep in wolves' clothing.
Today's liberal church has forgotten its divine purpose ...
John MacArthur - Failure in the area of holding fast the faithful word is largely responsible for the superficial, self-elevating preaching and teaching in many evangelical churches ... weak, shallow, insipid 'sermonettes' for 'Christianettes'. It has led many to preach pampering psychology or to become standup comics, storytellers, clever speechmakers, or entertainers who turn churches into what John Piper has called 'the slapstick of evangelical worship'.
Those who truly follow Jesus are mindful of all the messages that vie for their attention. As we examine everything carefully to see if it agrees with God’s Word, we expose the deviously subtle forms of evil.
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