Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. (2 Thess. 2:3)
Expanded Passage: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
Have you ever had someone ask you a question, but you had previously sent them an email or text with all the answers? Their question made it clear they did not take the time to read what you had sent. That is so frustrating!
If we are honest, we must admit that too often we want answers, but we don’t want to do the work to find the answers. We also don’t want to look like a fool who is uninformed and admit, “I don’t know.” The truth is, we aren’t always willing to do the hard work; we’d rather have someone else just tell us.
God has given us an incredible gift—his Word. Most of us have access to multiple versions, even web versions that are with us all the time. His Word is our foundation for doctrine—it can encourage, convict, counsel, and challenge us. But, if we don’t open the Scripture, read it, study it, meditate on it, and memorize it, we won’t be able to reflect what it says. And we will be easily deceived.
When people watch you, do your actions and words reflect Christ? Is it evident that you walk in accordance with the Word of God? We can only reflect what we know. God has provided us with a blueprint—we need to be intentional and disciplined to study it and live it out.
Know the Word of God so you can live in truth.
Belinda Selfridge is the assistant to the Tri-State district superintendent, assistant pastor, Oklahoma Wesleyan University adjunct professor, aunt, motorcyclist, creative frugalist, keyboardist, and bass player.
© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
