Don’t be fooled

“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” (Prov. 29:25 ESV)

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9 ESV)

“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:19 ESV)

And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Cor. 11:12-14 ESV)

Don’t be fooled. A strong mind and success does not mean you are in right relationship with God. It just means you have more obstacles keeping you from understanding your need for him and that he is the giver of every good thing.

“You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11 ESV)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17 ESV)