2 Corinthians 11:3-4 English Standard Version (ESV)

³ But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. ⁴ For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.

Paul is speaking to born again Christians who have received the word of truth. How is it that in such a short time they become complacent about the dangers presented in their midst? While I do not have experience with their conditions I can however identify with the root cause of the complacency.

The human mind is flesh and subject to decay. I am not speaking about a physical ailment, which can happen, but a mind that has not prepared itself for the long tedious battle with our enemy Satan. We are constantly being bombarded with lies, accusations, temptations, usury, and faltering relationships. These times are polluted with news broadcast, media blitz, and entertainment that would not be allowed sixty-five years ago. The decay did not happen overnight, it crept up on us one thought at a time.

Now we have to go on media fasts to save our sanity. Where is a person to go to be a well-informed constituent? Social media is full of every diverse opinion in the world. Sorting it out is impossible for any individual. It is a wear and tare on our nerves.

How are we ever going to make it through these troubled times?

John 14:27 English Standard Version (ESV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Abide in Christ. It is a daily exercise in faith that will protect our minds from the onslaught of this world. Start every day in prayer and reading His word. Affix your mind on Christ. With repetition comes ease of operation.

John 16:12 English Standard Version (ESV) “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 

Are we ready to hear the truth now?

Before we answer that question let us remember Saul of Tarsus who became the apostle Paul.

Philippians 3:3-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

³ For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. ⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Gamaliel was Saul’s teacher, a man respected by all the Jews of his time. He was the leading authority when it came to Jewish Law and Saul was his prized student. Paul had to give up more than just his relationship, title, identity, and his work to follow Christ. He had to give up his opinion.

We study under learned men, men with titles, doctorates, followings, reputations, books and letters explaining what God has written. We have great libraries filled with opinions. We also have great libraries filled with error, false teachings and heresies. The father of lies has as much work published on his behalf as does the works of honest godly men.

Now comes the hard question. Do we recognize the truth when we hear it?

Titus 3:5 English Standard Version (ESV)  he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 

Regeneration and renewal of our bodies and our minds. The mind is flesh and subject to decay.