Thursday, March 19, 2026

Fruit/Flesh Meter- Deception Prevention






The prophet Jeremiah said that our hearts are deceitful and wicked.(Jeremiah 17:9)  Jesus said out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak (Matthew 12:34) . Jesus also said that a good man out of the good treasure of his heart would bring forth good things and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil things (Luke 6:45) 


This may sound hard and confusing but keep in mind it takes time, prayer and study to learn discernment. It can't come from a teacher, but teachers can help us learn. Discernment comes from a willingness to allow the word to live in us and form the image of Christ in us. 

It means we can't rely only on our intellect. We don't check our intellect at the door and become fools, but we learn in humility that God knows everything and we don't. 

Simple childlike.. not childish prayer is  something like, "Lord let the good guys win and the bad guys lose and trusting Him to decide who is who. Otherwise we may be operating in our own wisdom and that's just arrogance hiding in the shadows.

Our feelings are not dependable. They are highly subjective but truth is not. So when our hearts ... the emotional part of us,  are not in sync with the Holy Spirit we can see it as an opportunity for us to invite Jesus right into our feelings and into the light. 

Feelings are not bad. They are only bad when we are governed by them. 

It takes time to develop discernment. I grew up in a household of coffee drinkers and over time I learned to enjoy it, but as a little kid. Heck no way! That stuff was hot and bitter.  Now I can take it with cream and sugar or without it. I prefer it with cream and sugar and for me that is like learning that wisdom is received best from sweet lips.  Lord help me to speak the truth in the meekness of His wisdom!

Please Father let us be governed by Your Spirit and help us to  be aware of our thoughts especially when we wander into thoughts that don't glorify You. Help us to remember that for the believer there is no difference between the sacred and the secular and invite you into every hobby, movie, video, book, game and all conversations. Wash us and make us new.  We love You, Jesus and ask these things in Your mighty name, Amen

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