Tag: Scripture Study

Why Knowing the True Gospel Is Your Only Defense Against Spiritual Counterfeits

It’s easy to think we’d never be deceived by false teaching. After all, if someone were to walk into your church, preaching a gospel of blatant lies, you’d recognize it immediately, wouldn’t you? But Revelation 13:11-18 reminds us that deception doesn’t come with a warning label. The second beast appears “like a lamb,” mimicking Christ, but speaks “like a dragon,” drawing people into worship through persuasive signs and wonders. This passage is a sobering reminder: the greatest threats to the truth often come clothed in what seems good, even holy.

The real danger lies in the subtlety. False gospels don’t announce themselves as counterfeit—they twist just enough truth to sound convincing. The key to not being deceived isn’t to become an expert in every possible lie but to know the true gospel so intimately that anything else feels wrong. Think of a bank teller trained to spot counterfeit bills; their training focuses not on studying every forgery but on handling the real thing so often that fakes are obvious.

We live in a time of competing voices, where charismatic leaders and influencers are armed with convincing words, emotional appeals, and even miracles that appear godly. Without a firm foundation in Scripture, even the most well-meaning believer can be led astray. This is why Paul urges Timothy to “rightly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) and why the Bereans were commended for examining the Scriptures daily to test what they heard (Acts 17:11).

Confidence in the gospel comes from familiarity with Christ. If we know Him—His character, His words, His mission—then no false teacher, no matter how powerful or convincing, can move us. And the more time we spend in prayer, in His Word, and in His presence, the more unshakable our foundation becomes.

The world will continue to present us with spiritual counterfeits. The question isn’t if we’ll encounter them but whether we’ll recognize them. Let’s be a people so confident in the truth of Jesus that no imitation, no matter how appealing, can shake our faith.

Are You Listening?

In the past God spoke to our ancestors at many times and in many ways through the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us in a son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world.—Hebrews 1:1-2 (NET)

God is not silent. From the beginning, He has revealed Himself in countless ways: through creation, through the prophets, and ultimately through Jesus Christ. The stars in the night sky declare His majesty, and every breath we take is evidence of His sustaining power. But His greatest revelation came through His Son, who stepped into our world to make God known and to reconcile us to Him. God continues to speak today, not sporadically, but continually. If we don’t see it, it’s not because God isn’t speaking—it’s because we’re not listening.

Consider how Jesus often said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” It’s a challenge, not just to hear words, but to truly listen, to pay attention, and to respond. The Word of God isn’t static. It’s living and active (Hebrews 4:12). When we engage with Scripture, we encounter the voice of God. When we pray, the Spirit intercedes and communicates with us. When we gather with other believers, God often speaks through them to encourage and challenge us. Even creation itself points to His character and heart. The heavens declare His glory, the skies proclaim His craftsmanship (Psalm 19:1), and the intricate balance of nature reflects His intentional design. Jesus Himself said that if people were silent, the stones would cry out (Luke 19:40). The question is not whether God is speaking; the question is whether we have ears to hear.

If God feels silent to you, consider whether it’s time to realign your heart and mind. Make time to study His Word, seek Him in prayer, and allow creation to remind you of His presence. The God who created the universe, who spoke through the prophets, and who gave His Son to us is still speaking today. Will you listen?

The Berean Standard

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. — Acts 17:11

I’ve always loved a good theological debate. After delivering a sermon, there’s nothing better than engaging in meaningful conversations with people who want to dig deeper into the Word. It’s not about proving who’s right or wrong—it’s about sharpening one another as we seek to understand the truth.

The Bereans from Acts 17 are a perfect example of this approach. When Paul preached to them, they didn’t just take his word for it. They eagerly listened, then went straight to the Scriptures to verify his teachings. This wasn’t an act of defiance or distrust but one of deep respect for God’s Word. They understood that no human teacher, not even Paul, had the final authority—only Scripture could claim that.

There’s a lesson here for us. While pastors, teachers, and theologians are valuable guides, our faith cannot rest solely on their interpretations. There is no substitute for personal study of the Scriptures. God has given us His Word, and it’s our responsibility to read it, meditate on it, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for understanding.

When we approach the Bible this way, we honor God and strengthen our faith. Like the Bereans, we become noble-minded, discerning truth from error. It also transforms our conversations within the church. Rather than being passive recipients of teaching, we become active participants, encouraging one another to grow deeper in the knowledge of Christ.

So, dig into the Word. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or wrestle with difficult passages. And don’t hesitate to have those post-sermon discussions! When we engage with Scripture personally and thoughtfully, we grow not only in knowledge but in our relationship with the Author Himself.