Matthew 24

So how are we to determine if we have been deceived? What are the tests?

One thing I know is this: Anyone with a closed mind; a person who does not show interest in the possibility that they may be wrong . . . that person has been deceived. Avoid them like Covid-19.

True Christians will listen to all arguments; all ideas. And, they will do so without throwing around scorn and ridicule like cheap candy.

I find that one of the hardest things to do is convince a deceived person they are deceived as those who are can be some of the most hard minded individuals on earth. In a way it is not entirely their fault as they are unaware they have been deceived but it is a dangerous thing to be so sure of yourself that you refuse wise council from others. The only reason I know I am not deceived is because I know there is a possibility I could be wrong, a wise saying says you can learn more from losing than winning and like wise we can learn more from being wrong than being right.

It seems to reason that a person who realizes they could be wrong . . . well . . . they are after the Truth. Nothing should be more important than possessing the Truth. Being correct in our understandings of our Powerful God is infinitely more important than simply being right.

JTB:

What reason did you have for posting something you copied from somewhere?

Would you please disclose the "source" of the OP? When using someone elses work, you are required to give proper "credit" to them. Elsewise, it could be plagerism

Bible

Here are a few Bible passages that may be helpful in answering your question:

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God..." - 1.John 4:1-3

"To the law [books of Moses] and to the testimony [the writings of the prophets]! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light [truth] in them." - Isaiah 8:20

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits [deeds]..." - Matthew 7:15,16

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind [toward God], that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. " - Philippians 4:8

The last verse may not directly answer your question, but can provide some guidelines to help determine what might be true or false.

Good grief.

Thank you. Those passages discuss testing, but they don't explain how to test.

I quote 1 John 4:1 quite often . . . but how does a person test? I have my methods of testing, but do others? If so, how do "you" test?

I ask these questions because, in my opinion, people merely read about them but do not exercise them, hence, "christians" incessantly refer to each other as "brother" and "sister" without knowing if the notion is even True. This is why I rarely EVER refer to another as Brother or Sister. When I do such, it is only after I have "tested" the spirit within them.

These passages that you have quoted are not merely interesting materials to read (like Romans 12:2), but we are to experience them.

The two simplest and most practical examples probably are:
-examining ourselves to see if we are bearing fruit that remains.
-confronting our own thoughts that are not consistent with the Biblical truth when we encounter it.

I'm sorry, what are you referring to?

I understand where you are coming from. Sometimes I feel like people throw out advice without showing me how to apply it to my life. I apologize if I did that to you. So I will try to give you some practical ways of how I test whether something is true or not.

The verses in my previous post (especially Isaiah 8:20) call for active studying of the Word of God. I believe that the only way to really test if something is true or not is to spend quality time reading the actual Bible (not just listening to sermons or reading books about it) and humbly asking God how I need to apply His words to my life.

Every morning I ask God to lead me to a passage that He specifically picks out for me for that day or moment in my life. A lot of times I come to verses that I have previously read many times, but that particular morning I see them in a different way than I had ever noticed before. There have been times during those devotionals when something that I was wondering about suddenly becomes clear. When that happens I get excited and start studying even deeper. That is when the true testing begins; comparing verse by verse and concept upon concept. Then I can see principles (or common threads) that I can use to help me determine is something agrees with the Bible or not. If it does not agree, I throw it out.

I tend to be a deep thinker and I have always been skeptical in believing things people say are true if they don't (or can't) give me a logical reason to accept what they say as truth, so I ask lots of questions. My experience of testing comes through prayer, comparing scripture with scripture, and asking those sometimes difficult questions of both the passages I am studying and the subject I am testing.

Hope this helps!

Hmmm... God tells us in the end the world will be deceived and fall into godless ways leading up to the antichrist. We see that being fulfilled in the liberal deep state.

But concerning us, He says we will be deceived by false prophets coming in His Name to draw us away from His truth as well.

Seeing the deception of the deep state is easy.

Seeing the deception we will fall under might be a bit, well, more deceptive.

Outstanding. So, in your opinion and as you understand the Bible, what would it mean if:

After claiming that we are Saved by Christ, our lives dive deeper into depravity (we become worse than before we were "saved") such as frequenting strip clubs, getting drunk wasted while there, being emotionally abusive to our wives and children . . . porn addiction etc . . .

Would you say that this is a failed test? Would this mean that a person remains deceived, that they are actually [not] saved?

No apology needed! I liked what you posted, and as I read my reply to yours of mine, I can see how my reply was a bit dry. No offense taken at all.

"I tend to be a deep thinker and I have always been skeptical in believing things people say are true if they don't (or can't) give me a logical reason to accept what they say as truth, so I ask lots of questions."

The above quote is a passed test! This is precisely one way in which I can tell if a person's heart has been changed, or at least being led by the Lord. I love all that you wrote. Your words are smooth, soft, and gentle. That is an amazing quality . . . don't ever change it! We need people like you. The Body of Christ NEEDS your "way."

I see that you're a "new member." Welcome!

You thoughts on the topic: Do believe that those who "fall away" are perhaps those whose roots have not taken? Are they of the "Seed" that withers and dies because of a lack of soil? A lack of water? A lack of nutrients? Were they of "Seed" where birds came along and ate them up?

BTW: My "Good grief" was not directed to you."

I personally test with scripture. Scripture should agree, it should never disagree and never contradict.

If you see a passage that appears to contradict. Its your interpretation causing the contradiction not the word.

And of course, this demands humility and an open mind, or even this will not help.

A"nyone may test another according to Scripture, but if the tester is not understanding the Scripture being employed, it is null and voic, the test that is.

The written code kills. Without the Holy Spirit in charge, no man is capable of testing another0ps veracity or faith.