Grow Up, Discern, Stay Anchored in the Truth

Ephesians 4:11–14 reminds us that Jesus Himself (not people placing themselves) placed apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers in the church for a divine purpose: to mature the saints so we are no longer “children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine. by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting...

Christ gave us the five-fold to grow up, to discern, and to stay anchored in truth in a world full of trickery.

Satan is not just a liar—he is a teacher. He is a master manipulator. He teaches falsehood wrapped in fragments of truth. He mixes poison into doctrine. He confuses minds, distorts perceptions, and destabilizes the immature. He cons people out of money, purity, health, marriages, callings, churches, jobs, and destinies.

When the enemy succeeds in confusing the mind, people start calling truth a lie and lies the truth. They become tossed to and fro—suspicious of the truth and strangely loyal to deception and lies.

Those who love darkness and love wickedness will believe lies and literally want to be lied to so they can do what they want to do.

2 Thess 2:10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. 11 For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, 12 in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.

2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age (SATAN) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

This is why Jesus sent the Teacher of the Church—the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13).

His voice is not shaky. His counsel is not subjective. His Word of God is not flexible. His truth is not evolving.

Truth is settled in Heaven (Psalm 119:89), and it needs to be settled in us.

Now more than ever, the Body of Christ must grow up and exercise real discernment. Hebrews 5:14 says that “strong meat belongs to those who are of full age… who through use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Discernment is a requirement for Believers.

We’re living in an age of:

• Scams 

• Fake news 

• Deep fakes 

• Identity theft 

• Spiritual imposters 

• Manipulative influencers 

• False prophets 

• Digital deception 

• Doctrinal distortions

Ignorance is not an option. Immaturity is not a luxury. Discernment is the key. And the Holy Ghost is our advantage.

UNHEALTHY SKEPTICISM VS. HEALTHY DISCERNMENT

An unhealthy skeptic believes nothing—regardless of the source, the evidence, or the truth. These people become so wounded or misled that they harden their hearts to everything… even what God is trying to do.

But a person of discernment follows the principle Ronald Reagan made famous:

“Trust, but verify.”

Proverbs 14:15 says:

“The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.”

In other words, Don’t believe everything you hear. Don’t believe every story. Don’t follow every POPULAR voice.

In this generation, you must verify everything. There are intelligent, strategic, and highly skilled manipulators whose entire life’s mission is to get over on you.

And if you’re passive, naïve, or spiritually dull, you become an easy target.

• 2 Corinthians 2:11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

These manipulators can ruin your life in two major ways:

1. They can cheat you out of your time and money.

False opportunities waste your effort and drain your energy.

2. They can wound you so badly that you stop trying altogether.

This is one of Satan’s greatest victories—when he makes a believer so skeptical that they no longer reach, attempt, build, or dream.

I’m a faith walker but I’m wise. I believe the best about people. I want to see God in every situation. I lean into the possibilities of life.

Yet—I check everything.

I run due diligence on individuals, organizations, investments, and opportunities.And let me tell you: healthy people, legitimate leaders, and honorable business partners appreciate your diligence. They’re not threatened by your questions. They welcome them.

Due diligence is not suspicion; it’s stewardship. And you need more than Google. Much of what you read online is recycled misinformation presented as “multiple sources,” when in reality it’s one lie echoing through several channels.

And if you fail to verify something and fall for a lie, Paul warns what can happen:

2 Thess 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

One of your most powerful tools is this: Ask for references. Ask for testimonies. Ask for people who have walked with them and succeeded through them. 

A real leader will give you real fruit.

Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

I have never regretted the time I spent verifying. But I have regretted the few times I didn’t.

There are amazing people in this world.There are God-sent opportunities waiting for you. But you must weed out the deception.

Expect the best… but verify everything.

Discern the moment (2 Cor. 2:11).

Test the spirits (1 John 4:1).

Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23).

Be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove (Matthew 10:16).

Let the Holy Ghost guide you into all truth (John 16:13).

Doc Murphy, The Everywhere Brand

Order and Read my Book S. I. Supernatural Intelligence here: https://a.co/d/5avr8dF