Matthew 24:1-12
Rebecca Lightfoot
Jesus has concerns “over” the lives/hearts of those that are His,especially that we will take seriously the significance of “developing” personal spiritual discernment&maturity.YES,The Holy Spirit is ever present 2 b our helper & our guide.But,the enemy of God(&of we who belong 2 Him)is constantly scheming ways 2 lure us away from TRUTH.If the enemy is successful n slowly/incrementally veering our hearts&minds away from TRUTH(revealed through God’s Word&Spirit),then the devil enhances his potential of leading us astray & ultimately fooling us n2 worshipping/following a False Christ...&”heeding”a false spirit(s). Jesus boils the schemes of the devil down 2 TWO BASIC strategies n Matt24.The 1st is,”See that no one leads u astray.4 many will come n my name...& they will lead many away”(Matt24:4-5).The 2nd is Jesus’ concern 4 our faith n HIM 2 b steadfast when all sorts of challenges&conflicts come n2 our lives and n2 the world around us(“And u will hear of wars & rumors of wars.See that u r not alarmed,4 this must take place...”(Matt24:6-8)).For us 2 battle both of these “strategies”,Jesus encourages us 2 develop SPIRITUAL MATURITY&SPIRITUAL ENDURANCE becuz,”At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”(Matt24:10-12).Our times r riddled w those from w/in the Body of Christ leading His followers away from His Truths as revealed n the Bible,ever veering some toward false teaching and a False Christ.We r also increasingly threatened by all sorts of scary things going on all around us,n our families;our neighborhoods;our country;the world,which create “stressors” n our lives that test our faith.But,Jesus says that “the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”Jesus is calling us to a SPIRITUAL MATURITY&SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT,that the author of Hebrews talks about w a sternness revealing the same concern that Jesus does;”We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s Word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”(Hebrews5:11-14).These verses n Hebrews tell us that we must “TRY TO(seek to) UNDERSTAND God’s Word;His Character;His Heart;Who HE IS;His Ways,etc.,so we will not b fooled away from HIM by anything!Jesus warns that HIS enemy will attempt everything,from within the walls of the Church,& all the stressors n our lives..2 lure us away from HIS TRUTHS.Dear Lord Jesus,open my eyes&heart 2 the desperate need n my life 2 SEEK YOU/2 TRY 2 UNDERSTAND You;Your Word;Your Ways..with the HELP of YOUR HOLY SPIRIT develop n me the maturity&discernment that Hebrews6:11-14 r calling me 2.