Keeping Our Eyes Fixed: Navigating the Currents of Deception in the Gospel

Brothers and sisters, as we continue to press forward in the work, the sheer volume of information—and misinformation—out there can feel overwhelming. Sometimes, you feel like you're wading through a river where every current pulls you in a different direction. It’s easy, especially when you’re trying to be an internet missionary from your own living room, to get caught up in the noise.

It reminds me of something I was pondering recently while studying the scriptures with some returning missionaries. We talked about how, even within professed Christian circles, there are currents of misunderstanding and outright deception. It’s a sobering reminder that simply *saying* you believe isn't the same as *knowing* and *living* the truth.

The Lord warned us, and He still warns us: See that no one deceives you. This isn't just a warning for the days of the end; it’s a constant call to deep, diligent study. It requires us to be careful, to examine the fruit, and to root our understanding firmly in the revealed Word of God.

The Anchor: The Authority of Scripture

What does it truly mean to be a believer? The core of it, I feel, is submission to the Word. When we look at the warnings surrounding the signs of the times, the pattern that emerges is clear: those who undermine the authority of the scriptures are walking a path far from the Savior. If the foundational text—the revealed Word of God—is questioned, everything built upon it becomes unstable, like a house of cards.

This isn't about being legalistic; it's about being anchored. Our faith, our entire understanding of the plan of salvation, rests on the divinely provided record. When we study passages like those in Matthew 24, we are learning not just predictions, but *principles* for discernment. We must know what to look for!

More Than Just Words: Doing the Will

And let’s not forget the beautiful, yet challenging, reminder from Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

This is the heart of discipleship, isn't it? It’s the gap between intellectual assent and lived obedience. It’s the difference between quoting doctrine and *living* the doctrine. It requires us to be continually striving to be Christlike in our daily lives, letting the Spirit guide our actions so that our deeds bear the fruit of true discipleship.

This principle applies everywhere—whether you are in an MTC classroom, in a missionary discussion, or right here in your own home as a disciple anywhere, all the time. We must examine our own hearts and our sources of knowledge!

As we continue to study these deeper truths, I encourage you to lean into the tools available to us. If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of foundational doctrines, I highly recommend checking out the Iron Rod authors' works available in LivingBook. They do a wonderful job of giving us the historical and scriptural context we need to discern the truth.

For those of us who are actively preparing to go, or who are recently returned, let’s keep these conversations going! If you’re ready to sharpen your skills in identifying doctrinal drift, join us for our free weekly Disciple Challenge this week. It’s a fantastic way to practice your discernment skills together!

Remember, every single member has the power to be an internet missionary. Let’s keep studying, let’s keep testifying, and let’s keep pointing people back to the infallible Word of God.