DISCERNING THE TRUE SPIRIT OF GOD IN A WORLD FULL OF FALSEHOOD AND DECEPTION

 Monday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 4th January, 2021

Readings: 1 John 3:22-4:6, Ps.2,  Matt. 4:12-17.23-25

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DISCERNING THE TRUE SPIRIT OF GOD IN A WORLD FULL OF FALSEHOOD AND DECEPTION

In our societies today there are many influential powers that have great effect in our lives coming from various source under the guise of good but some are in fact evil leading us astray. So, there is need for us to examine these false and deceptive spirit. For the Holy Spirit will lead us to learn how to distinguish clearly where and in whom is the Spirit of truth from the spirit of falsehood.

 

As long as we are of God and in Christ, we have nothing to fear. We do not belong any more to this present world, full of sin, hate and greed, corruption, deceit and violence. Thus, we must let ourselves be guided by the Lord against embracing, too readily, any doctrine proposed to us. We must guide ourselves against attaching ourselves without due consideration, to any teacher that may pretend to have a divine inspiration; because, many false teachers are increasing everyday to deceive the people.

Dear friends, we must not let ourselves be deceived by the evil power of this world. For John in our first reading gives us a special sign for distinguishing true doctrine or true teachers from the false ones. For him, any spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ had come in the flesh is of God. Therefore, we must be very wise for there are many false prophets operating under the power of the devil who are deceiving humanity and turning our attention from God.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we thank you for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, who guides us against the deception of this world. Give us the grace of discernment in order to distinguish between good and false Spirit. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful week ahead.