1 Corinthians 15:33a – Do not be deceived. (NKJV)

"You will find gold all over the sand," our young friend told us as we travelled to the Salton Sea. We were thrilled as we got out of the car to search for treasure. Sparkles tumbled about in the water and shone in the sun as the gentle waves lapped against the beach. My sisters and I did the long-legged sideways crab-walk, bent over collecting bits of shiny gold-coloured pieces.

In good fun, our friend had tricked us. At every age, people joke and kid around, to make people feel foolish or to have fun. But that kind of play can lead to being charmed in ways that cause great harm to others. God's Word teaches us to be careful to know the difference between truth and untruth, so we need to be carefully taught. Daddy was with us and taught us about the characteristic differences between iron pyrite and gold, a lesson that we would always remember.

The most important truth for us to learn is who God really is. We are told to check out the Scriptures to know the difference between the biblical God, and the fool's god. There are many out and about who teach that "god" is other than what the Bible teaches. If we learn incorrectly, God may not recognize us later on, because we believed in a made-up lord and saviour who is appealing to us. Our lives will have been wasted by serving God's enemy, who always wants to steer us away from truth.

Our disappointment over not finding gold did not harm us, but choosing the wrong god would cost a person eternity without God. We need to know the difference between gold and iron pyrite, and the difference between God and all other imposters, because all that glitters is not gold.

Prayer: Dear Father, we ask You to give us hearts to look at the nature and characteristics of what we are learning about You, so that we aren't tricked to miss out on truth. Amen.

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About the author:

Karen Milam <karenbmilam@gmail.com>
Penn Valley, California, USA
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