There is a lot happening in our world right now.

Wars and rumors of wars. Political and economic uncertainty. Natural disasters. Increasing lawlessness. Confusion about what is true and what is false. And perhaps most concerning of all, deception seems to be increasing almost everywhere we look.

For those who know the Bible, none of this should come as a surprise.

Jesus warned us that difficult days would come. He didn’t warn us so we would live in fear. He warned us so we would be prepared.

When Jesus described events surrounding the end of the age, one of His first warnings was:

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

The question every Christian should ask is:

Am I spiritually prepared for what’s coming? That’s a question we all need to be able to answer.

HOW DO I RECOGNIZE A COUNTERFEIT?

Years ago, I had a friend who worked for the U.S. Secret Service. One of his primary responsibilities involved identifying counterfeit U.S. currency.

One day I asked him a question.

With so many different counterfeit bills—and with criminals continually developing more sophisticated ways to reproduce them—how could he possibly keep up with all the fakes?

His answer surprised me.

He told me, in essence, “We don’t study the counterfeit. We study the real thing.”

Their training taught them to know authentic U.S. currency so thoroughly that when something false was placed in front of them, they could quickly recognize it.

That conversation has stayed with me because there is a powerful spiritual truth in it.

You don’t prepare for deception by studying every lie. You prepare for deception by knowing the Truth well enough, to recognize the lie.

There will always be another false teaching. Another persuasive voice. Another counterfeit version of Christianity. Another attempt to make darkness appear as light.

You will never keep up with all of them.

But if you know the genuine article—you don’t have to.

You can know God’s Word so well that you immediately recognize when a message doesn’t agree with Scripture. And through fellowship with the Holy Spirit, you can become increasingly sensitive to His warnings when something simply isn’t right.

Jesus said:

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.”
—John 16:13 NKJV

This is why spiritual preparation is of upmost importance in these days of deception.

The time to learn the truth is before the counterfeit is placed in front of you.

PREPARATION IS NOT FEAR. IT’S RESPONSIBILITY. 

Some people hear the word prepare and immediately think of fear. Others think only of physically stockpiling of resources.

But I’m talking about something deeper—biblical preparation. And biblical preparation is not rooted in fear. It is rooted in wisdom, faith and obedience.

Noah understood this.

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household.”
—Hebrews 11:7 NKJV

Let’s look at that same Scripture in the Amplified Bible, which is more clearly reveals the original meaning of the words:

“By faith [with confidence in God and His word] Noah, being warned by God about events not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his family. By this [act of obedience] he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness which comes by faith.”
—Hebrews 11:7 AMP

Noah wasn’t building the ark because he was panicking. He prepared because God had spoken, and Noah believed Him and acted in faith.

There is an enormous difference between preparing because you are afraid and preparing because you are obedient.

Your Greatest Preparation Cannot Be Purchased

There are practical things we can do to prepare for uncertain times, of course. And we should. Wisdom certainly has a place in our physical and financial decisions.

But please hear me clearly:

You can have a pantry full of food, money in the bank, your own power source and a secure place to live—and still be spiritually unprepared.

Your greatest preparation cannot be purchased.

Know Jesus Christ personally. Know His Word well. Learn to recognize the leading of the Holy Spirit. Develop the kind of faith that remains standing when everything around you is shaken.

Jesus said:

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
—Matthew 7:24 NKJV

The wise man’s house still experienced the storm.

His foundation enabled him to withstand it.

So spend time in God’s Word until His truth becomes more familiar to you than the voices of this world. Pray. Listen for the Holy Spirit’s direction. And when God tells you to do something—obey.

Don’t wait until deception surrounds you to start learning the genuine article.

KNOW THE TRUTH

Know the Truth so well that you recognize the counterfeit whenever it presents itself—no matter who presents it.

This last part is equally important.

Deception can come through people we trust. Too often I see Christians following the doctrines and opinions of men simply because they respect the author, speaker or teacher. It may even be a pastor or someone who calls himself a prophet.

But one day, each of us will stand before Jesus, the Righteous Judge. There will be no one else to point to and say, “But Lord, he told me this was true.”

Those who truly desire Heaven as their eternal destination must grow up spiritually and take personal responsibility for what they believe. Your eternity depends upon it.

Paul instructed Timothy:

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
—2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

We must become disciplined followers of Jesus—knowing His Word, following the Holy Spirit, and becoming so familiar with the Truth that the counterfeit cannot easily deceive us.

Prepare in faith. Prepare in wisdom. Prepare in obedience.

And above everything else, make Jesus Christ the foundation of your life.

Ask yourself… are you spiritually prepared for what’s coming?

Jesus is coming again. And He’s coming again soon!

“DECLASSIFIED – Preparing Believer’s for What’s Coming Next.” A free exclusive underground newsletter by Dale Black for spiritually critical thinkers. NOT for the faint hearted Christian. If you would like to receive the Declassified newsletter, which is sent out only to those who request it, please let us know. Send us a quick message through CONTACT US.

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