Deception & Discernment
(Part 2 of 2)

We started this teaching last month as we looked at the threat of deception in our lives as believers. I discussed how important it is for each of us to be aware that we are never immune from deception. I also discussed how important it is for each us to develop an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth. This month I want to finish this teaching with some thoughts on the importance of discernment in our lives.

As I travel around Africa teaching and ministering I am amazed at the things that I hear christians say. And not only the things they say, but the things they deeply believe to be the truth. Over time I have come to the conclusion that the only way God's children could get to the point that they would believe wrongly concerning the things of God was that they simply do not know the truth. My understanding of discernment in its basic definition is that it is the ability to recognize the truth from a lie. I am told that when people are trained to recognize counterfeit money they are not taught how to recognize the counterfeit bills. On the contrary, they are put through rigorous training which includes hours and hours of handling the real thing. With this extreme familiarity with the true currency they immediately recognize the counterfeit when they encounter it.

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." I believe one of the most fundamental truths that we as christians must come to understand is that truth is found in the person of Jesus. Truth is not found in doctrines, teachings, traditions or denominational opinions. Jesus said that He is the truth. If we are to ever come to the place where we can easily discern the truth from a lie, we are going to need to become intimate with the truth, Jesus. We need to spend time regularly getting to know who He is. We need to develop our personal relationship with Him by learning to hear His voice. If we are not careful we will spend more time listening to other sources instead of listening to Jesus. We can become so occupied with certain teachings, movements or doctrines that we do not know Him. It is only through knowing Him that we will walk securely in the truth and be protected from the deception of the enemy who wants to lead us astray.

Perhaps just as important to our relationship to the Lord in our discerning the truth is our relationships with others in the body of Christ. Since we are all members of one another and therefore constitute His body, it is crucial that we be rightly related to one another. This is possibly one of the most overlooked aspects of the christian life for many christians. The problem comes in two ways. First, many believe that since they are members of a church congregation by association they are properly related to others in the body. When in reality the very opposite is often true. Many people never experience deep relational connectedness that is necessary for the life of the Lord to flow between the members of His body. It is through this connection that the Lord Himself can flow between the members and supply life for each one. In this process there is true protection and a built in system of "checks and balances" that keeps the members walking in the truth.

The second problematic area is where there are those who believe because they have come to a certain level of maturity or responsibility in the work of the Lord that they are somehow exempt from the need for relationships and relational connectedness. This could only be the farthest thing from the truth. It is men and women at this level of responsibility and function in the body who have the greatest need to be connected in relationships with others. This is absolutely necessary so that they will not fall into error brought about by the delusion that comes by thinking they are secure in the truth. We all must have others who can recognize weak areas in our lives and speak confidently into those areas. This is one of the most life giving experiences any christian can have. This only comes as we seek the Lord's direction in our relationships and walk obediently in the relationships that He brings into our lives.

So the ability to walk in discernment is paramount in these days. Paul tells us clearly that in these days there are those who will come with false teachings desirous to lead the elect astray. We must gird ourselves in the truth by deepening our relationship with Jesus Himself and become more properly related to one another in Him.

Ministry Update

April was a very busy month. Our friend and partner in ministry, Rodney Kirkpatrick, visited from the States for two weeks. During his first week with us we were involved in ministry locally in Worcester. The week culminated in a three day believer's conference for anyone in the church in Worcester. The meetings were very blessed as we experienced a really sweet presence of the Lord in the times of worship. We were also very encouraged through teaching and prophetic ministry. Yo can listen to the messages shared during this conference by visiting the Audio Teachings section of our web site.

After the believer's conference, Rodney and Cliff departed for Zimbabwe and Botswana where they joined up with Jonathan Chatendeuka and Stephen Mangwanya from Zimbabwe and spent nine days ministering to leaders and local congregations. In Bulawayo, Zimbabwe they held a leaders seminar with about 25 men and women attending. The meetings were encouraging as the leaders were very open and hungry to learn. The economic conditions in Zimbabwe are very difficult. Inflation is completely out of control with the Zimbabwe dollar trading at $185,000ZIM to one US dollar! Only a few years ago a Coke cost about $20ZIM. Today you pay $125,000ZIM! We have included a picture below of what 94 million Zimbabwe dollars looks like! The people of this beautiful country are struggling, but many continue to believe in faith that God will intervene to deliver this country from these difficult times.

During one of our times with the local church in Bulawayo we were gathered for a home meeting. The house was packed with adults and children. After sharing a few personal words of prophecy the Lord directed us to begin to pray and praise Him. The presence of the Lord filled the room in a powerful way. Many in the room were touched deeply. After this time of ministry, the Lord directed Rodney to speak a word over a young man who joined the meeting just before we ended our time together. Rodney prophesied over this young man that he had dreamed of being a national level soccer player and how that dream had not come to pass in his life. After speaking many other things, the young man confirmed that all that had been spoken was indeed true. He then committed His life to the Lord. He later shared that he had not been in a church meeting all year and that he had been on his way to buy beer before he felt impressed to come to his friend's house where he found our meeting. We praise the Lord for His faithfulness to bring people to Himself.

Rodney and Cliff then departed for Francistown, Botswana where they spent four days teaching leaders and conducting local church meetings. This was a very fruitful time of ministry as we were able to encourage many believers in the Lord through personal ministry. We were also able to deepen some key relationships in this region of Africa.

After returning from the outreach to Zimbabwe and Botswana, Cliff started a week of teaching on the YWAM base in Worcester. He was asked to teach in the School of Biblical Studies for the first time. He taught the entire week on the book of Romans. This week was very rewarding as Cliff and the students were able to spend some really good time going deeper into this significant letter. The Lord really blessed this time.

Thank you all for your continued love and support.

With love,
Cliff, Stephanie, Camille, Natalie and Wesley