Pam Padgett ... teacher
Proverbs 14:15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
The prudent carefully and cautiously considers what is said, whether in a
thought or something spoken by another person, while the naive takes
in each word without considering whether it is is valid, true,
reasonable, and wise, and whether it is according to scripture.
Jesus warned us that we are in the midst of wolves, and must be wise. Human "wolves" do and say whatever they think will get what they want, without regard for truth.
Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Peter warned us that the devil walks about seeking to devour us. Often the devil uses thoughts as a means to snare us.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist
stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are
accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
When Jesus told of the end times, He warned us not to be deceived even by those who say things that seem religious ...
Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples
came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be?
and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive
you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (As was revealed to Joan, we're told here that many deceivers will say that Jesus is Lord.)
Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or
there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and
false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that,
if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I
have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold,
he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers;
believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and
shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man
be.
As we deal with thoughts and words man speaks, we are able to turn to
God, asking for wisdom. God has promised to give us wisdom when we ask
in faith.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given
him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth
is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not
that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double
minded man is unstable in all his ways.
We have also been given the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, who guides
us into all truth. We need to heed what the Holy Spirit calls to
our attention, for it is truth about the matter.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will
guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but
whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you
things to come.
God has provided what we need to prudently consider what is said to us.
And I've been reminded of the following instruction we've been given ... Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1 Thess. 5:21 )