How Do we Know That we Are Not Deceived?

 How Do we Know That we Are Not Deceived?


By "we" in the question (above), I specifically and exclusively mean those people on earth who believe themselves to be the blessed recipients of God's regenerating grace, in that they sincerely trust in Jesus Christ and His sole righteousness to be their own; and, these people are members in good standing in faithful, creedal Christian churches.  So, the query is, "How do these people know that they are not deceived in their belief system; and how are they assured that what they believe about themselves, relative to their faith in Christ, is true?"

 

Someone might say, "Well, Pastor Mark, that is an easy one: the Bible teaches that those who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit are indeed children of God; and that they know the Truth."  This statement is correct; and it may be verified by numerous texts, such as 1 Pet. 1:3 and 1 Jn. 2:21.

 

Someone else might say, "Well, Pastor Mark, I just feel like I know the truth about my state and relationship with God. I cannot tell you why I feel this way, but I do."

 

Both of these answers have merit; and they are both a big part of the equation of the answer, as to how truly born-again saints of Christ's church may be sure they are not deceived. . . . But, in my judgment, neither of them is the actual experiential reason (that they may know that they are not deceived in their religious belief system).

 

. . . The reason the entire regenerated ("invisible"/elect/redeemed) church knows that it is not deceived (in their religious beliefs), is because of the presence and witness of GOD Himself, as He lives within each and every true saint--via the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit--God Himself--continually testifies to the hearts of the genuine believers in Jesus that they (the saints) truly are in Christ; and that they are, therefore, both in The Truth, and know The Truth (who is Jesus Himself).  (Cf. Rom. 8:16 as a good text.)

 

It is this testimony of the Holy Spirit, taught clearly in the Holy Scriptures, that assures the saints that they are not deceived, (or, that they are not believing some false form of doctrine).

 

Based on the Scripture's teaching, the Holy Spirit also communicates to us that the Triune God has always had His people, His church; and that He (God) has always raised up His clergy, to preach Christ to them, to shepherd them, to teach them, to instruct them, and to admonish them (when necessary).  We are part of a great elect family, that stretches all the way back to the Garden of Eden.  (Actually, the true church's election and predestination was determined by the Holy Trinity before the creation of the world.)

 

You may have asked yourself at some time: "If all the unbelieving world is deceived, how may I know that I am not?"  That is a good question; and you have several very strong "pillars" to support you.  Principal among them is your Christ, the One who has united your humanity to His divinity, and who has saved you; you have your Heavenly Father, who has joyfully adopted you into His family; and you have the Holy Spirit, who lives in you, and who assures you that you are in the Truth (Jesus).  All three Persons of the Holy Trinity employ the Holy Scripture to reveal Themselves to you; and these Scriptures are all Scriptures of Truth.  They all perfectly harmonize with the Holy Trinity.

 

But there are people who study the Bible, but who are yet not in the Truth (Jesus); and they, just like the rest of the unregenerate world, are deceived.  The point of this treatise, is that it is the Holy Spirit Himself, God Himself, who assures you that you are not deceived (if you are truly in Christ).

 

Someone might object, by saying, "Well, that is pretty subjective."  Our response is, "It is subjective; but it is also true. It is a subjective assured experience based on the objective Truth of the Person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ--all revealed in and by the Holy Scriptures."

 

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #112

26 June 2026

 

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com

https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Movie Review: "A Great Awakening"

  Movie Review: "A Great Awakening" Lesley and I just returned home from seeing the premier showing of the movie, "A Great Awakening."  It was really good--one of the best movies she or I have ever seen.  The casting is outstanding; the acting is fantastic; and the plot line is wonderful.  I do not know who produced this movie--but they should be congratulated on doing excellent work; and; more than that, for being unashamed of the gospel of grace.   The way the producers weave the themes of the American Constitutional Convention (held years after the end of the American Revolution), with savory effects of The Great Awakening, is masterful.  The man who plays Benjamin Franklin is so well-cast, that you could almost imagine this being the original Benjamin Franklin.   George Whitefield is the main character in the movie; and he is also spectacularly-cast.  His voice, his demeanor, and his ways are completely convincing; and...
Read more

How Do we Know we Are Right?

  How Do we Know we Are Right? Have you ever asked yourself this question?  What gives  us --and, for sake of clarity, I will mean by  "us"  (particularly) those convinced and convicted members of the Reformed expression of the Christian religion-- both  the  "right"  and the  "confidence"  to boldly state that we  are,  with regard to religious debate,  "in the right"?   This is actually a very good, and important question.  I would like to forthrightly  answer  the query; and then seek to work out some of the details (that I am quite certain may be on many people's minds). . . .   The  true regenerated  saints of Christ's church--and in this case, we will include those who are members of any number of orthodox Christian communions (denominations)--know that they are "in the right" because of the  internal witness of the Holy Spirit within them,  (cf. for now Rom...
Read more

What Is Preaching?

  What Is Preaching? Dedicated to all truly-called church ministers of the gospel When I ask the question, "What is preaching?", the context I have in mind is mostly, (but not exclusively), the church's Sunday worship services.  I also hope to address the issue of the goal (or end) of preaching.   Paul's 10th chapter of Romans is probably the most comprehensive treatment of this sublime subject; and his (Paul's) Holy Spirit-inspired injunction of 2 Tim. 4:2a: "Preach the Word!", says it very succinctly.   I believe that preaching is the authoritative verbal presentation of the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ in the message of His gospel of grace and mercy.  I also believe that anything short of this, is not preaching at all.  It is also my conviction that every text of Holy Scripture not only  lends  itself to this grand enterprise; but  exists  so as to facilitate it.   Therefore, when a true gospel preacher approach...
Read more