Q:In the Bible it talks about testing spirits and that they must acknowledge that Jesus came in the flesh. How does this work in "real life"?

A:We can know one thing for sure - the devil is a liar! He will tempt us to believe something is good – when it is not good! History tells us, and our own life experiences confirm – that just because something glitters, does not make it gold!

1 Peter 5:8, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Be not fooled, the devil's one agenda is to devour us, causing us great harm in this life and the next.

In this life, the answer is not "worldly gurus with a step-by-step plan to happiness or success." It is not "turning to a spiritualist" or "horoscopes" or "palm reading" or even our "own rationale thinking!"

The devil will use anything he can to deflect us from God. Rather than an upfront attack, the devil will often miss-lead. The Bible describes the devil in John 8:44b this way, "He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

God's Word alone is Truth. God's Word alone is light for our path. To turn somewhere other than to God is to turn to the wrong place and risk emotional, psychological, physical, and eternal destruction! Spiritual council that contradicts God's Word is never right. A lie is a lie, no matter how comforting it might sound. Just because "something seems helpful or innocent" does not make it so.

What about when we fall into temptation? Thankfully, forgiveness through Jesus Christ is always available! The Bible tells us that Jesus was tempted in every way "yet without sin" so that he could be a perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, there is help when we fall. The "powerful pull of Christ" can always pull us past whatever temptation we face. The "powerful pull of Christ" can pick us up when we fall.