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In the tenth episode of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane teaches the importance of God's Word and the peace of God as defenses against deception. God's Word is the first and foremost defense against deception, and it must be exalted above human reasoning, philosophies, and cultural influences. When the Word of God is neglected or rare, it becomes challenging to discern God's voice.A second defense is the peace of God. According to Colossians 3:15, believers are instructed to let the peace of God rule in their hearts. Peace is one of the primary ways God speaks and leads His people.There is a difference between being at peace with God and having the peace of God. Being at peace with God is the result of God making peace with us through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. However, having the peace of God is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that dwells within the born-again human spirit.The peace of God acts as an umpire or a voice of guidance in decision-making. When believers are about to make a wrong choice or

In the ninth episode of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane teaches that God has provided two critical safeguards to protect believers from deception. God's Word is the first defense against deception, which must be exalted above human reasoning, philosophies, and cultural influences. When there is a lack of God's Word, it becomes difficult to discern His voice, as seen in the story of young Samuel.The second defense is recognizing the voice of the Lord. According to Romans 8:14, believers must be led by the Spirit of God. However, many Christians struggle to recognize God's voice. God's voice is often a still, small voice within and may not always be in English. The language of the Holy Spirit includes dreams, visions, impressions, and a sense of peace. These are ways in which God speaks to His people. Believers should expect to receive dreams and visions from the Lord, as these are the primary language of the Holy Spirit.Additionally, God can speak through prophecy, godly counsel, spiritual leaders, and imp

In the eighth episode of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane teaches the importance of hearing God's voice as a defense against deception. God has provided safeguards in Scripture to equip us against being deceived. Satan has a history of questioning God's word, as seen with Eve, and deception can appear harmless but have harmful intentions, as described in Revelation 13. Believers can and should hear God's voice, but many struggle to recognize it.In John 10, Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice and know it. However, like Thomas, who said he didn't know the way, we may not consciously recognize what we already know in our spirits. We may dismiss or not discern God's voice without realizing it.God's voice is often a still, small voice within and is not always in English. The language of the Spirit includes dreams, visions, impressions, and a sense of peace. Believers have the capacity to hear God's voice and discern it from the voice of the stranger or the devil.Romans 8 explains that believers are led by

In the seventh episode of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane teaches the importance of having the proper and final authority in one's life, which he identifies as God and God's Word. He stresses that this is a crucial defense against the increasing deception and darkness infiltrating society and the church.The New Testament repeatedly commands believers to "be not deceived" (1 Corinthians 15:33, Galatians 6:7), indicating it is possible to fall into deception. This deception grows worse and worse, often directly or indirectly enabled by Christians who have compromised the truth.The first line of defense is to exalt God's Word as absolute, objective truth and final authority over every other voice, such as government, media, feelings, etc. Those who prosper spiritually all uplift Scripture's authority in their lives. There must be a final authority, and only God and His Word can rightly claim that position of supreme truth.A second vital defense is cultivating sensitivity to the Lord's still, small voice with

In the sixth episode of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane teaches the importance of guarding against deception, as God has provided multiple defenses against it. The New Testament repeated warnings about deceivers and being deceived, showing it is possible even for believers to fall into deception. The first defense God has given is His Word. If believers abide or continue in God's Word, Jesus said they are His disciples who will know the truth that brings freedom (John 8:31-32). By disciplining oneself in Scripture, one's discernment increases to recognize the fingerprints of the enemy versus the Holy Spirit.The story of Eve being deceived by the serpent in Genesis 3 illustrates how deception operates. Satan's tactic was first to question God's Word, get Eve to dismiss it, and then outright contradict it, tempting her to disobey by doubting God's goodness and care. This shows how compromising God's Word opens the door to deception.The Scripture of Jacob deceiving his father Isaac in Genesis 27 is also an e

In the fifth episode of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane warns about the increasing darkness and deception infiltrating the world and even the church. Many people, including believers, have departed from the faith by heeding deceiving spirits and doctrines of devils, just as the apostle Paul warned Timothy in 1 Timothy 4.According to 1 Timothy 3:15, the church is supposed to be the pillar and ground of truth. However, the church often propagates deception and doctrines contrary to God's nature, Judeo-Christian values, and a biblical worldview. This happens because people do not know the truth and are easily influenced by lies, fraud, and corruption from the world.The key defense against such deception is the Word of God. As Romans 1:18 states, God's wrath is revealed against those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Unrighteous people reject God's truth not just for themselves but actively work to suppress it. This is what is behind cancel culture - canceling and suppressing truth. Just as the devil

In the fourth episode of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane warns about the dangers of deception and darkness in the world today. Many of God's people have fallen into deception, leading to self-destruction in their Christian walk. Jesus Christ warns in Matthew 24:4 to "take heed that no man deceive you." Many false messiahs and deceivers will come and lead many astray. However, Christians can guard their hearts against deception by understanding how Satan operates and learning to discern good from evil based on a biblical worldview.The key defense against deception is the Word of God. In 1 Timothy 4, the Bible expressly states that in the last days, some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of devils instead of sound doctrine from Christ. The world is becoming darker, but Christians must resist being dragged into that darkness through deception.As 2 Timothy 3:13 states, "Evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." While the Bible w

This powerful message expounds on the righteousness of the law and how it relates to God's grace through Jesus Christ. The purpose of the law was not to reveal God but to expose our sinful nature and inability to keep it perfectly. James 2:10 highlights the law's demand for absolute perfection, stating, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it," making it impossible for anyone to be justified by works alone.Duane teaches that this realization of our imperfection drives us to put our faith in Jesus, who fulfilled the law's righteous demands on our behalf. Galatians 3:11 emphasizes, "Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because 'the righteous will live by faith.'" Righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not by adhering to the law. Christians should not try to serve God under the Old Covenant law but rather embrace the New Covenant grace. Jesus accomplished three pivotal things: He kept the law perfectly, paid the penalty fo

In the third episode of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane Sheriff warns that the influence of Satan, "the father of lies," is increasing and stresses the importance of being able to discern deception. In Matthew 24, Jesus warned his followers not to be deceived.The Word provides crucial roadblocks to caution against being misled by "empty words," "deceiving spirits," and "doctrines of devils." However, the inability of many believers today to identify these deceptive spirits or false doctrines, such as multiple genders, gender reassignment surgery, man-made climate change, and governmental overreach during the pandemic, can lead to serious consequences. Loss of freedoms and governmental persecution of dissenting views can pave the way for the Antichrist prophesied in the Bible. Believers must remain vigilant to avoid being led astray by deceptive agendas and stand firm for godly values despite facing persecution and censorship.

There is an intense battle raging between the freedom found in Christ's gospel and the deceptive agenda of the world, which seeks to enslave people with lies. In the second episode of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane Sheriff teaches the dangers of being deceived and the importance of guarding our hearts against deception. In Matthew 24, Jesus cautions that many deceivers will come and deceive multitudes.The New Testament instructs believers not to be deceived. Galatians 6:7 states, "Do not be deceived; God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, he will also reap." This scripture shows that deception is possible, so God warns against it. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 lists fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, thievery, and drunkenness and states, Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Yet some Christians seem to believe that unrighteous people embracing these sinful lifestyles can still go to heaven.That's the danger of deception. Once you accept one lie, it paves the way for

In episode one of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane reveals that God has provided safeguards in His Word so we can judge our hearts against the spirit of the antichrist, which can lead to deception. Deception and lies are becoming increasingly common in our society. Matthew 24 warns of the arrival of many deceivers who will mislead multitudes of people. Rampant idolatry and false gods are being worshipped in our society today. They stem from Satan's deceptions, which try to lure people away from the true God.If Christians cannot recognize the spirit of the antichrist in the world, they will not be able to identify it infiltrating the church either. Duane reveals that all deceptions are gateways to greater deceptions. Many Christians fell for the deceptions surrounding COVID-19, such as fraudulent information, oppressive mandates, and violations of personal freedoms. This was a "dress rehearsal" for greater enslavement under the spirit of the antichrist who craves power and control. Once someone becomes dece

In the nineteenth and final episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane emphasizes the power of prayer, the different types of prayers, and the principles behind them. He stresses the importance of praying correctly to ensure prayers are not just uttered but answered. Duane highlights that while many Christians pray, not all understand the dynamics of different prayers and their appropriate applications.Learning to pray effectively is crucial and does not come automatically. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, indicating that effective prayer needs to be learned. There are several types of prayers, including the prayer of faith, the prayer of agreement, the prayer of petition, and the prayer of consecration, emphasizing that each type serves specific purposes and is suitable for different situations. This private devotion helps to develop a personal relationship with God and ensures that prayers are heartfelt communications, not just empty words.In Matthew 6, Jesus instructs us to pray in a pr

In the eighteenth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane emphasizes the vital role of prayer in the spiritual maturation process. Drawing from Acts 2:42, Duane explains the different types of prayers and their significance in a believer's life. He stresses that understanding and practicing various forms of prayer can significantly enhance one's spiritual journey and relationship with God.Duane shares his struggles with prayer during his early spiritual journey with personal anecdotes to illustrate how a lack of proper teaching on prayer led to years of unproductive prayers. This reflection emphasizes the importance of learning to pray effectively, just as Jesus and John the Baptist taught the disciples.Prayer is a particular activity that requires varying approaches depending on the situation. Some believers face difficulty receiving answers to their prayers because they are unaware of the different types of prayers suitable for different circumstances. Having insufficient knowledge about these variat

In the seventeenth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane explores the processes that help believers evolve from converts to disciples. He uses the early church model from Acts 2:42 as a foundation. He emphasizes the importance of consistent engagement in four spiritual practices: the Apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers.The Apostles' doctrine highlights the essential teaching that grounds believers in their faith. Understanding these doctrines is crucial for preventing doctrinal errors and building a robust spiritual life. The New Testament's transformative power explains and fulfills the Old Testament, providing clarity and direction for contemporary Christian living.Next is fellowship, which is essential for spiritual growth. Fellowship in the Christian context goes beyond mere socializing; it involves creating deep, meaningful relationships that support and enhance one's spiritual journey. This social intimacy, termed "Konania" in Greek, is about developing real connectio

In the sixteenth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane discusses the process of spiritual growth and the essential steps and practices that guide believers from early stages to mature discipleship. He highlights the deliberate nature of spiritual growth, which requires intentional efforts and practices similar to physical, mental, and social development.Spiritual maturity, like physical growth, does not happen by accident but requires a balanced diet of spiritual practices that are encapsulated in Acts 2:42. These practices are as follows:1. Apostles' Doctrine: Understanding the New Testament's revelation of grace, which sheds light on the Old Testament law, is crucial for preventing doctrinal errors and building a solid faith.2. Fellowship: Engaging in meaningful relationships with other believers is essential for personal, social, and spiritual development.3. Breaking of Bread: This practice, including both communion and shared meals, symbolizes unity and shared life among believers. It is vital fo

In the fifteenth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane discusses how believers can progress from spiritual infancy to mature discipleship in Christ. He highlights the importance of consistently engaging in four foundational spiritual activities, which he compares to essential food groups in a balanced spiritual diet. These activities are based on Acts 2:42 and include the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. The significance of the apostles' doctrine provides the theological framework necessary for understanding and living out New Testament truths. This doctrine is vital for believers to accurately interpret and apply biblical principles in their lives. Christians risk falling prey to misconceptions and false teachings without a solid grasp of apostolic teachings.Fellowship is the second component, and it is crucial for spiritual growth. Duane compares spiritual growth to natural maturity, explaining how just as marriage and family life can accelerate personal maturity in th

In the fourteenth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane emphasizes practical steps for personal development and helping others grow spiritually. He draws heavily on the early church practices outlined in Acts 2:42, where the community of believers engaged in four fundamental activities that fostered their spiritual development.Four "spiritual food groups" are essential for personal spiritual growth and the health and growth of the church community. These practices include the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers—each contributing uniquely to the believer's spiritual journey.1. Apostles' Doctrine: This refers to the apostles' teachings, which are crucial for understanding and applying New Testament truths. Duane stresses the importance of grounding in the apostles' doctrine to avoid confusion and misinterpretation of the Scriptures, notably how the New Testament clarifies and fulfills the Old Testament.2. Fellowship: The value of fellowship sharpens believers and keeps them g

In the thirteenth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane discusses the importance of a balanced spiritual diet that helps believers transition from spiritual infancy to maturity. This diet contains crucial components that help believers evolve from mere converts to disciplined disciples of Christ.The four spiritual food groups based on Acts 2:42, which the early church followed steadfastly to grow spiritually. These groups are the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. The early believers strengthened their faith and deepened their communal bonds by engaging in these practices.The first food group, the apostles' doctrine, pertains to the apostles' teachings, focusing on the New Testament. It explains the significance of Jesus' fulfillment of the Old Testament's types and shadows. Understanding the apostles' doctrine is crucial for believers to correctly interpret biblical principles and avoid confusion that might arise from misinterpreting the Old Testament.Fellowship, the sec

This message expounds on the paradox of the Christian life, emphasizing the contrast between who we are in the flesh and who we are in Christ. Drawing from Isaiah 51:1, Duane reminds us to "look to the rock from which you were hewn and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug."Without Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5), have nothing (1 Corinthians 4:6-7), and know nothing (1 Corinthians 8:2). However, in Christ, we have everything – we are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17), blessed with all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3), and possessing the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).1 Corinthians 6:9-11 reminds us that our identity is no longer defined by our past sin but by our new life in Christ. We are washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we must live accordingly, putting off the deeds of the flesh. Duane challenges us to recognize our total dependence on God and to walk in the newness of life He has given us, remembering "the pit" from which we were dug and

This powerful message reveals the profound truth of our identity in Christ. Drawing from Romans 6, Duane highlights that through Jesus' death on the cross, our old sinful nature in Adam has been crucified, and we are now dead to sin. Just as Christ was resurrected, we have been raised to walk in newness of life, freed from the bondage of sin (Romans 6:4-7).We are no longer slaves to sin because the one who has died has been freed from sin (Romans 6:7). Our old self has been put to death, and we have been made alive in Christ, becoming a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are now the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), and our lives are hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3).The message encourages believers to reckon themselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11). We are urged to set our minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1-2). Duane encourages us that our identity is no longer defined by our past sins or struggles but by o