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Do Not Let Anybody Disturb Your Faith

1 John 2:26-27
I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit – just as it has taught you, remain in him. (NIVUK)

It would be nice to think that everybody is supporting you and wanting the best for you. But that would be a delusion. In the same way that evangelism is an active and intentional process to bring people to receive the love of God through Jesus Christ, the opportunistic and systematic attempts to pull believers away from Christ are no accident. In every part of the world people are actively trying to lead believers away from their spiritual home.

John wanted his readers to be alert to Satan's work, often operating through people who sincerely believe his evil lies about Jesus (John 8:44). Their attempts are deliberate, trying to dislodge believers from their confidence in Jesus. But at the same time, the Holy Spirit is intentionally strengthening the hearts of the believers, assuring them that they belong to Jesus and that they have eternal life. It is a spiritual battle and affects every Christian in some way or another.

The difference between truth and lies is that truth stays true for ever while lies have no lasting substance, even though they can be very destructive. The Holy Spirit has been given to every believer to explain what Jesus said and teach how we can live a godly life in a spiritually hostile world (John 14:26). His presence is real, not an illusion or something we imagine. God has anointed us with His Holy Spirit so that we can discern truth from error, and witness to the truth of the gospel (Acts 1:8).

Do not let anybody disturb your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to be secure in Christ as you read the Word and pray for wisdom. As you do, the person of the Lord Jesus will come into sharper focus, and the delusions of the world will fade into the background: when they seek your attention, turn your eyes towards Jesus. We must not be naïve; all of us can be swayed by spiritual lies. Those who are young in the faith, the children and young people will be particular targets for this spiritual attack. Those who are more mature have a responsibility to help them (they may not understand what is happening to them) so that they are not led astray under temptation and false teaching.

Prayer 
Dear heavenly Father. Thank You that the truth in Your Word never changes. Thank You for the encouragement of Your Holy Spirit to stay on track with Jesus. I am sorry for failing to see how I am being led astray at times, and for failing to alert my brothers and sisters to the dangers of false teaching, however it may come to them. Please help me to stay alert to the spiritual distractions which are intended to divert my attention from Jesus. In His Name. Amen.
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© Dr Paul Adams