Seekers Wanted E4: How Can I Avoid Spiritual Deception and Confusion?

Because we're not perfect, sometimes our feelings can be wrong. So how can we know if we really are experiencing inspired promptings??
BYU professor and author Anthony Sweat uses the scriptures to teach us how to avoid spiritual confusion in this week's episode of our Seekers Wanted series.
Check out Brother Sweat's new book "Seekers Wanted" here: deseretbook.com/p/seekers-wan...
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[@joyce7892]

Tri-pod of truth. Alma 32: in heart, in mind/thoughts, fruits (outcome/results: joy in the covenant, peace, love, happiness) in life. D&C 8:2-3; 11:12; Well taught.

[@terrylanier5677]

There have been many times when I have received personal revelation like when I was 7 and I was told in my mind that I too should be baptized. I did not have enough knowledge or experience to know or understand fruits of my decision but I had had impressions before and had followed those impressions with good outcomes. I have never regretted that decision. But I didn't make that decision initially based on anything more than I had received an impression and I knew it was not from me and a feeling that I should do that thing not fully understanding the import or reason. I believe that sometimes impressions or revelations come and we must act in faith not always knowing before hand what we should do or how or when it will bless our lives. The tripod is great but sometimes we may not see the fruits until after we act. There are many stories in the scriptures that attest to this Sarah and Abraham, Nephi and obtaining the plates and so on. Sometimes we may receive revalation that causes us to step into the dark and we may struggle for a time before we receive needed light. So how do you know it is the Lord speaking to you? Overtime you must develop a personal and intimate relationship with God and how he speaks or guides you personally so that you are better able to recognize the workings of the holy spirit within you and all things will work together for your good and to the strengthening of our faith.

[@matthewglosenger3180]

I just found this video and I can testify to the truth of this perspective. If the Gospel is not changing you, then you’re doing it wrong. 😁

[@zenosvillondo9733]

These are very great! I’m learning so much! Can’t wait to have this man as a professor! 😤

[@robyn_marie]

Thank you for these videos!

[@InstinctDefenseAcademy]

Fantastic video. Thank you

[@philipduggins2120]

I really like your videos keep up the good work they are very informative I'm spiritually uplifting

[@ricki388]

I believe I can interject some Techniques that I have used in my 30 years of spiritualism and what I call professional truth seeking I have learnt from the Tibetans my main subject various mind techniques and ways of approaching outlandish subjects I have also done many courses and have attributes and I have achieved a high success rate regarding exposing deception perhaps we can help each other

[@ronbrewer3493]

I love it thanks .here is some more truth..ever since this spinning blue planet and all the worlds were created any time we as real children of a real Heavenly Father have decided to grow up and become more. God has always called true living prophets teachers ..I have never read anywhere in the holy bible where Christ Himself did any writing except for in the sand so who wrote the holy bible true prophets of God. If you believe in the holy bible you need to believe in a true prophet of God. You could not develop faith if you knew everything and if you new everything you would be a God. We are not Gods but nearther is a baby an adult. The essence of life is growth and to become and to overcome.

[@71greatdane]

Well said!

[@rmarcweaver]

dude, where have you been all my life

[@jamescrane6583]

How do you define truth? Two of the legs of the stool are related, feels and fruits of the spirit. What do you do when things that an organization claims are true fail this little test?

[@openanewtoyandplay]

I am not sure if this man understands spiritual feelings. They are not from the person, so they are not everday feelings like this man was describing. The spirit of God speaks to our Spirit which brings a powerful feeling in some cases which you will have no doubt or confusion on what it is saying to you. This man is not a general authority and so please don't take his words to be doctrine by no means.

[@jessicab3986]

I think he is trying to teach that we should embrace all three aspects to confirm what is true, like Alma taught. Basing our testimonies solely on feelings can allow bias and other factors to cloud our judgment or wreck us later if we misjudged those feelings. If you are having the profound spiritual experience I think you are describing, then your mind will have clarity and the fruits of it will be good also.

[@openanewtoyandplay]

@@jessicab3986 all I am saying is the spirit is a member of the God Head and comes to you, and is not ever day feelings or moods you have. Elder Bedar said that after the spirit tells you in your mind you then want it to go deep into your heart which is Holy Ghost via feelings and then be planted and rooted in testimony. Alma fasted and prayed many days and came to know by the power of the Holy Ghost that it was true. You can know in such away that you know for sure that it is not everyday feelings, but it is the spirit if you pay the price like Alma did. That is all I am saying.