Truth and freedom are inextricably linked. Many Christians are concerned about the systematic loss of religious and political freedom in our times. History has shown that as the church goes, so goes the society. Jesus said it clearly in John 8:32: "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." We cannot afford to be casual about attacks on Truth, for they are attacks on our freedom as individuals as well as on our nation.
Only God's version of the Truth counts.
What might be the consequences to our nation if Christians falter in fighting for God's Truth to prevail? Is God's Truth an important factor when you make business, financial, or political decisions? What do you need to do to help guard Truth and freedom? Develop more intimacy with the Lord in prayer? Learn more about the Truth from the Bible?
Spiritual terrorists work the same way military terrorists work—they infiltrate the territory they want to take over and do harm from within. Thankfully, God gives us clear clues for identifying and defeating them in Jude 1:8-16.
The first step in defeating spiritual terrorists is to know one when you see one. Jude 1:8 states that "these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings." These dreamers are apostates who preach redemption without the cross, peace without repentance, happiness without holiness, and a God who is not the father of Jesus Christ. These beliefs "reject the authority" of God as well as His very identity and sovereignty. Here are some tips that will aid you in recognizing the apostasy of false teaching.
First, do not fall for the idea that you can have a do-it-yourself religion. Apostates will tell you that there are many roads to God. One popular lie is that you can achieve eternal life through humanitarianism. Christians have been leaders in caring for the sick, hungry, and abandoned; however, the only way to acceptance by the Father is through the shed blood of Christ.
Second, be aware that playing on emotions is a strategy of the enemy. If your basis of believing a half-truth over God's Truth is that the apostasy just feels better, then you do not have a solid basis for your beliefs. Only God's version of the Truth counts.
Prayer: God, help me to be aware of spiritual terrorists. Teach me how to recognize deception and respond with Truth. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people" (Jude 1:3).
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