I am often asked, “What is the most important thing we can do to prepare for the end of our lives—or for the return of Jesus Christ?”

I believe we are living in the last days. And when Jesus spoke to His disciples about the days ahead, one of His clearest warnings was about deception:

“Take heed that no one deceives you.”
—Matthew 24:4

If that warning was important then, it is certainly important for us today.

The truth is, every one of us is capable of being deceived. None of us is immune. That is one reason we desperately need the truth of God’s Word and the daily guidance, discernment, and power of the Holy Spirit.

But before we talk about the Holy Spirit and His power, let me make something absolutely clear.

First: Make Sure You Are Born Again

Nothing is more important than knowing that you belong to Jesus Christ.

Jesus told Nicodemus:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
—John 3:3

Being born again is not merely joining a church, becoming religious, or trying to become a better person. The Gospel calls us to repent and believe in Jesus Christ. To repent means more than simply feeling sorry for our sins. It means a change of heart and mind that turns us away from sin and toward God.

And then we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ as Lord.

As a pilot, I sometimes think of it this way: there comes a time when you must turn over the controls.

As long as I am flying the airplane, I am responsible for where it goes. But when I turn the controls over to another qualified pilot, I am no longer the one flying that leg of the journey.

Spiritually, many people want Jesus aboard the airplane—but they still want to remain in the pilot’s seat.

That is not surrender.

We were created to know God, obey God, and follow Him. So first and foremost, make certain you are saved. Make certain you have been born again. Make certain Jesus Christ is not simply someone you believe in, but the Lord you have chosen to follow.

Second: Let the Word of God Be Your Guide

We live in an age of competing voices. Opinions come at us from every direction. That makes it more important than ever to know what God has actually said.

Read your Bible. Study it. Believe it. Obey it. Measure what you hear—even what you hear from Christian teachers—against the written Word of God.

Use a faithful, well-established Bible translation. Personally I have confidence in translations such as the King James Version and the earliest versions of the New King James Version, and I encourage believers to become deeply grounded in Scripture.

The Bible gives us the standard by which we test what is true.

But now I want to take you to something many Christians desperately need to understand.

Third: We Need the Power of the Holy Spirit

The Christian life was never intended to be lived in human strength alone.

A Christian who attends church, works hard, pays taxes, behaves responsibly, and tries to be a good citizen may be respected by the world. But a believer who is filled with the Holy Spirit, walking in truth, discerning deception, praying with faith, obeying God, and exercising the spiritual authority Jesus gives His followers is something entirely different.

Jesus said:

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
—Luke 10:19

And shortly before His ascension, Jesus told His disciples:

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…”
—Acts 1:8

Notice that word: power.

Jesus did not tell His followers simply to develop stronger personalities, greater willpower, or better human strategies.

He promised them power from the Holy Spirit.

And I believe this is an area the enemy would very much like Christians to misunderstand, neglect, or ignore.

A powerless Christianity poses little threat to the kingdom of darkness.

But a believer who knows the Word of God, recognizes the voice and leading of the Holy Spirit, understands the authority Jesus has given, and walks obediently in the power of God—that is another matter entirely.

Thank you to our faithful friends and generous supporters. Through your prayers and partnership, you are helping us share God’s truth and promises with people around the world.

If our books, videos, outreach and resources have encouraged you, we invite you to JOIN THE MISSION at DaleBlack.org.

May the Lord help you walk in the authority that comes from complete surrender to Him.

And remember, God’s Word is God’s will.