We must be walking in a personal relationship with God, to be led by the Holy Spirit of God. Paul met with opposition throughout his ministry...from those who claimed to be believers.

2Corinthians 11:3-5 But [now] I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ...[Gen. 3:4.] For [you seem readily to endure it] if a man comes and preaches another Jesus than the One we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the [Spirit] you [once] received or a different gospel from the one you [then] received and welcomed; you tolerate [all that] well enough! Yet I consider myself as in no way inferior to these [precious] extra-super [false] apostles.

If there were those who were twisting and distorting the TRUTH then, imagine how much greater the deception in the minds of man is today, after 2000 years of corrupting influence!

John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

We have to practice what we preach. The truth is a life, not a theory. There is no truth outside of God's Truth. Everyone is looking for 'deeper truth'...the latest 'word,' and there is no end to the voices crying out to be heard, claiming new revelations. Yet how much of what they are receiving is really from God, and how much is false?

Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. We should all be very much aware that we will have more than ample opportunities to exercise our spiritual senses. 2Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

How are we to know who is who? Who is an emissary of Christ, and who is a false apostle, a deceitful worker, a minister of Satan? We will not discern by our intellect, nor our great reasoning powers.

Jeremiah 4:22 For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are foolish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

Proverbs 29:7-9 The [consistently] righteous man knows and cares for the rights of the poor, but the wicked man has no interest in such knowledge. [Job 29:16; 31:13; Ps. 41:1.] Scoffers set a city afire [inflaming the minds of the people], but wise men turn away wrath. If a wise man has an argument with a foolish man, the fool only rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

Proverbs 29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way [of the Lord] is an abomination to the wicked.

Titus 1:10-16 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Know that this is the state of things in the world today. Many profess to know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. At the same time, God has a remnant, that refuse to join the throngs in pursuit of error.

Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

We are to live our lives in the earth, keeping all of our Lord's commandments to us. We are all continually faced with choices, on a daily basis. We cannot walk a victorious Christ like walk, if we are not in close fellowship with our Lord and Savior. It is Christ in us, not our flesh, that will keep us on the straight and narrow path. Our will must be surrendered to HIS will. Our lives must be laid down, that we may live by the power of the Holy Spirit within. Deception and deceivers are everywhere we turn. People are worshipping the creation more than the Creator. The enemy knows that he has but a short time, and is engaged in all out warfare on God's people. But He that is within you, has already overcome the Prince of this world!!! And by His power, we too can overcome. Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Many today are being caught up in the allure of the supernatural. Many are being drawn away from the truth by signs and wonders, and all manner of strange phenomenon and manifestations. Have you never wondered at what Paul said in Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. And 2Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

And what Peter meant by this statement in 1Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

We have a responsibility. We will be held accountable before God, for how we handle the Truth. Have you considered what Jesus said in Mat 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

What are the things which trip people up, and cause them to step off the path to which we are called to walk? 1John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

One of the most alarming passages of scripture the Lord impressed me with some years ago, is found in Jeremiah 14:16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword; and they shall have none to bury them--them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. For I will pour out their wickedness upon them [and not on their false teachers only, for the people could not have been deceived except by their own consent].(Amplified).

May we strive to press in to KNOW HIM, intimately. May we judge all things by the Spirit and by the Word. May we not be followers of men, but in all things be subject to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Many things have the appearance of righteousness, but are not righteous. 1John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.