My daughter and I were talking one day, and something in her story didn’t add up. I said, “Stop lying to me.” She looked me dead in the eye and said, “Daddy, I’m not lying. Go and ask God. He’ll tell you.” I laughed, then prayed. Turns out, she was telling the truth. That moment taught me: if a child knows to run things by God, how much more should we?
Friend, how do you tell truths from lies (1 John 4:1)? How do you know if a voice, a teaching, or a prophecy is from God, from people, or from the pit of hell? In these last days, how critical is it to walk with the Spirit of Truth? We don’t just follow truth. We follow the Spirit of Truth (Acts 16:16-18).
You can hear
correct words from the wrong source. Even the devil quoted Scripture to Jesus (Genesis 3:11, Luke 4:1-13). Truth without the Spirit can still deceive. The Holy Spirit is our antidote to lies. He anchors truth so deep in our hearts that error cannot take root (John 8:31-32, Colossians 3:16).
The biggest battle these last days won’t be right vs. wrong. It will be right vs. good (Hebrews 5:14, 13:9). What do you do when the voice sounds like Jacob, but the hands look like Esau (Genesis 27:22)? When everything looks good on the surface, but your spirit isn’t settled?
Discernment is no longer about obvious sin. It’s about choosing God’s best over what’s merely good.
The Spirit of Truth works to the level of Truth inside you (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit’s guidance in your life is tied to the Word of God inside you. He cannot guide you beyond what you know. That’s why the Word must dwell in you richly. That’s why you need to sit under teaching that is soaked in truth and light (Isaiah 30:20-21, 1 Timothy 3:15).
Like my daughter said, “Go ask God.” Do you run things by God, or do you just use human logic (Genesis 25:22)? Assumption is dangerous. It ruins destinies. Don’t take things at face value. Take it to God in prayer. Don’t decide based on what “feels right” (Proverbs 14:12). Let the Spirit of Truth guide you so you won’t be confused.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria