Do Not Be Deceived - Day 2

Day 2: Continue in What You Know

Devotional

Paul wrote to Timothy about a world in which deception was increasing. Evil men and impostors would grow worse and worse. His instruction was very simple: continue in the truth you have received.

He doesn't tell Timothy to panic. There is no plan to move up on a mountain and live by ourselves. He doesn't tell him to become suspicious of everyone. And he doesn't tell him to spend his life chasing down every false teaching. That is a distraction, because knowing the lie doesn't mean you know the truth.

This shapes how we treat people, too. If you believe something is false, don't listen to it. Walk away from it. But it is not biblical to come against someone and assault their character. There is a place for correction and for holding people accountable, but we do it in a spirit of love and grace, and the motive is always redemption.

Paul reminds Timothy of what he has learned and who he learned it from, and then he points him directly to the Bible. You need to know what you believe, why you believe it, and who taught it to you.

Deception doesn't get answered by more suspicion. It gets answered by being filled with the Word of God.

Bible Verse

"But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 3:14-15 (New King James Version (NKJV))

Reflection Question

Have you spent more energy lately being suspicious of what is wrong than being filled with what is true?

Quote

"The greatest defense against deception is not becoming familiar with every lie. It's becoming completely filled with the living word of God." - Pastor John Pool

Prayer

Father, keep me from panic and from suspicion. Help me continue in what You have taught me, and fill me with Your Word. Amen.