SEDUCTION

“Let no one seduce you, no matter how.” –2 Thessalonians 2:3

Many kinds of lies deceive people into believing the wrong thing or not believing the right thing. Some believe “an oracular utterance, or rumor, or a letter” (2 Thes 2:2) without testing the Spirit (1 Jn 4:1). Some don’t hold fast to the traditions we’ve received in the Bible (2 Thes 2:15). Others don’t hold fast to the traditions we’ve received by word or letter through the Church (2 Thes 2:15). If we don’t go by the Bible, we’ll be deceived, for “ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 133, St. Jerome). If we only go by the Bible, we can still be deceived. We need the Church, “the pillar and bulwark of truth” (1 Tm 3:15).

To avoid being seduced “no matter how” (2 Thes 2:3), we need to know Jesus personally and give Him our lives. We need the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, Who guides us to all truth (Jn 16:13) and protects us from deception (1 Jn 2:26-27). We also need to know and live the Bible. God’s Word is truth (Jn 17:17). Finally, we need the Church. Many Spirit-filled, Bible-believing Christians disagree on important truths. We need the Church to protect us from our human weakness. We need Jesus the Truth (Jn 14:6), the Spirit of truth (Jn 16:13), the Word of truth (Jn 17:17), and the pillar and bulwark of truth (1 Tm 3:15), the Church.

PRAYER: Father, may I accept everything You provide to prevent me from being seduced and deceived.
PROMISE: “First cleanse the inside of the cup so that its outside may be clean.” –Mt 23:26
PRAISE: St. Joseph taught, “If in serving God you seek your own convenience, you are not serving God but yourself!” His work in educating children and his lively faith drew numerous others to assist him in his ministry.