To be vigilant means: to be carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger.
Peter wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Peter chapter 5:
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
In other Words, take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. For you know that your believing brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing the same kinds of troubles you endure.
If you are not vigilant, you can be deceived. You must know the Truth and you can test whether or not you have the Truth by three means. Is what you are being exposed to, true to Jesus? Is it true to the Bible? Does it have the witness of The Holy Spirit?
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2nd Corinthians chapter 11:
3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted-you may well put up with it!
Paul is writing to the church known to be baptized in The Holy Spirit with the gifts of The Holy Spirit operating in their midst. However, they were not exempt from being deceived by the serpent, the devil.
We cannot be tolerant of imposters!
We must be careful of the New Age movement. This movement will utilize various means to replicate promises given to us in Scripture. Healing and prosperity are a couple of the areas they use to entice unsuspecting believers of following a different gospel. Muscle testing, pendulums, etc. are used to validate their “Ouija medicine” which is tied to the occult. Do not be deceived.
People who constantly look for signs can be easily deceived. I have known many who were led by signs rather than being led by The Holy Spirit. The adversary will gladly provide you with a sign to lead you astray. Yes, there are some signs that FATHER will use as confirmation to The Word HE gave you. However, the signs are only for confirmation. Not all signs are relevant to your situation.
Some say that all religions are different roads to the same GOD. Wrong! Jesus Christ is the only Way to The Lord God Almighty.
Pride is the door that leads to deception. Behind all deception is pride and it started with Lucifer. It was pride that caused his fall.
It is recorded by THE SPIRIT in Isaiah chapter 14:
12 “How you are fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.
The pride found in his heart caused his full and complete rejection from Heaven. Pride is not and will not be tolerated in Heaven.
When our eyes are opened, we will be amazed as it is recorded by Isaiah:
16 “Those who see you will gaze at you, And consider you, saying: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms,
17 Who made the world as a wilderness And destroyed its cities, Who did not open the house of his prisoners?’
The adversary has used pride to deceive nations and kingdoms throughout history. It is critical that we not allow pride to deceive us in any way, shape, or form. Pride is the most subtle sin to be dealt with. I have had to repent of pride substantially in my walk. When I look back, I see how the adversary has used willing vessels to deceive me and lead me astray. Only by the conviction of The Holy Spirit was I spared from destruction in various areas of my life. FATHER’S great Love for both you and me will always overcome the consequences of pride as we repent. We must remain vigilant on a daily basis else we could be led astray by the subtle devices of the adversary.