Behind all deception is pride!
Pride is what opens us up to deception. When you become proud of your God-given talents, you open yourself up to pride. Humility cancels out pride.
Wisdom recorded in Proverbs chapter 18:
12 Before disaster the heart of a man is haughty and filled with self-importance (pride), But humility comes before honor.
And in Proverbs chapter 15:
33 The source of revelation-knowledge is found as you fall down in surrender before the Lord. Don’t expect to see Shekinah glory until the Lord sees your sincere humility.
Those of us who are humble will open up the treasury of revelation knowledge given to us through The Holy Spirit to benefit us in our daily walk.
Peter wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Peter chapter 5:
5 Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], BUT HE GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
True elders have focused on removing pride from their personal lives. They are not out to prove themselves to the world. They walk humbly before THE LORD.
They embraced Wisdom when It recorded in Proverbs chapter 22:
4 The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the LORD Is riches, honor, and life.
Would you rather have Heavenly Treasures or earthy treasures? The world would have us focus on earthly treasures which in turn will puff you up and draw attention to yourself. Heavenly Treasures, on the other hand, exalts Jesus Christ Who is the only One Who deserves our praise and worship.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Colossians chapter 3:
12 You are always and dearly Loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been Divinely chosen to be Holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others.
13 Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them.
14 For Love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark of true maturity.
As we become spiritually mature, we will become humble and walk in Love and patience toward those who are weak in their walk.
One of the attractions of many cults is that if you join them, you will be a member of a supergroup, superior to all others. They promote the idea that they have some special revelation unknown to most men. In some cases, they subscribe to replacement theology that redefines what FATHER’S Divine Intent expresses in the Bible. Their incomplete understanding of Scripture is hidden from those who are not being fully led by The Holy Spirit. Pride is the root of the problem with such leaders. They exalt themselves as some special person endowed with superior knowledge. They infer that if you join them in their elite walk, you too will become special. Flee from such people who promote a false religion!
Jesus warned us in Matthew chapter 24:
11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray from the Truth.
We are to test the spirits who promote their agenda. The Beloved Disciple issued this warning when he wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st John chapter 4:
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He Who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.
6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error.
When we listen to The Holy Spirit Who is in us, we will discern if Truth is being spoken. Being led by The Holy Spirit will defend us against pride and walking in error.