Keep Your Eyes On The Road

Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

Have you ever taken a wrong path on the highway? With all source of wireless devices attached to our vehicle nowadays, we get distracted so easily on the road. If we don’t pay attention, we can follow the wrong path without knowing it. John, in this passage, warns us about a very similar danger in following the wrong spiritual path if we don’t pay attention of those various sources which we encounter daily such as self-help programs, spiritual workshops, political groups, service organizations. Some of these may actually do some good and may even seem no different from our Christian faith. They may talk about helping others or encourage spiritual experiences. Like the distracted motorist, we may see no difference between these paths and what the Church teaches us, at least in spirit. How can you tell which is which? We are cautioned by John: Do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see if they belong to God. Anyone who acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, belongs to God. Anyone who does not acknowledge Him, belongs to the world and their teaching belongs to the world as well. (1 John 4:2-3a) Where these paths are aligned with our faith, we may travel them for a while and find some value in them. But we need to stay alert, so that we can recognize where these paths diverge from the values and principles of our faith, so that we can quickly turn away from them. If we keep Jesus as our goal and continue to believe in him, we can be assured that we are on the right path and will someday arrive at our eternal home, our final destination. 

Whatever you do, in word or deed, if you cannot do it in the name of Jesus, then don’t do it! “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Take time to invite Jesus into your daily activity today.

Example: Like when that truly irritating person frustrates you at work, say: “Lord, please give me a loving heart towards those who frustrate and annoy me.”

Father, may everything I do begin with your inspiration and continue with your saving help. Let my work always find its origin in you and through you reach completion. Amen

Hail Mary full of grace...

Peace in Christ,

Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen