08/07/2018
How do we maintain our faith once we have it? How do we hold firm in the face of false prophets, or the antichrist? Do we have to return to school like a nurse, or some other licensed professional, and receive so many additional hours of training each year? The answer is no because within us we already have the knowledge we need, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit who teaches us how to apply God’s Word, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to everything in our lives.
“But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.
But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.”
1 John 2:20, 24, 27 ESV
John is not saying that we shouldn’t study our bible, or that going to church, and attending a bible study is not good; what John is saying in these passages is that we must be on guard against false teaching, and any thought that tells us Jesus Christ is not the Son of God, or that God is not who He is.
“Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.
I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.”
1 John 2:22, 26 ESV
Given this definition of the antichrist it becomes plain to see that there are many such people and subtle movements in the world today. Even before we came to know God, or Jesus, there were those who attempted to keep us from learning of them. There is no shortage of these influences in the world, but we have been given knowledge, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit to allow us to discern truth in the midst of them all.
“... so now many antichrists have come...”
1 John 2:18 ESV
I was listening to a series of lectures called “The Truth Project”, and as I did the teacher played a video clip of a college professor who was arguing against the reality of God. He was speaking to an audience of young people, and he was making them feel like they were stupid if they believed that God existed. He was using his intellect to make them feel inadequate for their spiritual beliefs. This is a tactic of the antichrist in the world today. He attempts to make you feel out of touch with truth and reality if you are a believer, and he makes you an object of ridicule to your peers, and those who have already drank the poison from his cup. He casts doubt, turns others against you, and then makes you feel less for believing.
So how do we, who know the truth, defend ourselves against such an onslaught? We lean on the knowledge of the truth that already abides within us, and we trust in the Holy Spirit that is our anointing, and who will lead us in all truth.
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
John 16:13-15 ESV
The antichrist is like a surgeon with a scalpel who attempts to separate the spiritual parts of us from those that are worldly, and rather than discarding the tumor that is of the world, and saving the spiritual meat, he discards the spiritual and saves the cancer instead. More time than not, this happens subtly, and often from within by those we have come to trust. But let’s not be deceived... let the Holy Spirit exercise the knowledge that is within us, and sustain us against such attack. Lean on the wisdom, and understanding provided to us by God Himself.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”
Proverbs 3:5-8 KJV
So in as much as we trust in the goodness and love of God, we claim the grace of redemption through Jesus Christ, and we are sustained in truth by the Holy Spirit. In this way we abide in Jesus and the Father, and They in us. In this way the truth will not escape us, nor will it be separated from us. We are freed by the truth... not held captive by subtle snares, or imprisoned by deception. Our knowledge of God, His Word, and Jesus Christ, is made an insurmountable strength within us by the Holy Spirit, and gives us power over the imprisonment of evil.
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."”
John 8:31-32 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your Son Jesus, and for your Holy Spirit that gives me understanding of the knowledge that you have placed within me. Keep me sound in the truth of your Word Holy Father, and ward off all evil influences by the understanding provided by your Spirit that abides within me, and of which I have been anointed. You are sufficient for me Gracious Father, and your truth is all I need to sustain me when the world comes hard against me with lies and cleverly devised arguments. You protect the truth that I hold dear within me Lord, and give me discernment against even the most subtle of schemes. In you I find strength, and in you the truth rests unopposed. Help me Heavenly Father to stand firm in the face of the attacks on my faith, and let my defense be the sword of your truth, and my counsel be your Spirit within me. You are my champion, and my strong tower; great are you to be praised! Holy, Holy, Holy, are you the source of all truth and understanding.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.”
Psalms 121:1-3 ESV
Rich Forbes