The interesting thing about cameras is that it captures reality at a specific time. A macro setting lets you capture details you would normally miss with the unaided eye from the little indents on the bug’s body down to the tree’s accumulated dust and algae.
Spiritual insight is given to every genuine child of God through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). Becoming a child of God does not mean we believe in just anything that presents itself to be spiritual. That is called a lack of discernment. On the contrary, the child of God is commanded to be discerning.
“but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good”
1 Thessalonians 5:21
Those who yield to the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work will also be able to hear His voice and not go after a stranger (Galatians 5:16-16, John 10:4). Though for a time, we could wander off, the Lord always calls us back (Acts 3:19).
Who are the children of God?
“This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.”
1 John 3:10
Those who claim to be a child of God and intentionally deceive people do not love their brother or sister. They speak all the right words, but their true intent is made manifest in the fruit they produce. If a person truly knows God, the Spirit of Truth will not lead that person to shepherds who teach and blatantly live lifestyles contrary to Scripture.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”
James 1:22-24
A telephoto lens does the same as the macro lens. It makes you see details, but from a distance. The key words on spiritual lens are focus and details.
“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.“
James 1:25
Deceitful workers grab their material from someone else. They go around reading old material and tweak it to their own specifications. Ellen G. White of Seventh Day Adventism is an example of this. She’s only one among many. With impure motives, people end up twisting the true meaning of the borrowed material to fit their own notions. Since it has not been given to them by the Holy Spirit, they end up teaching false doctrine. When something like this is brought to my attention, it burdens my heart. In the same manner, if you see me misapplying Scripture, let’s talk about it. Far be it from any of us to be the one leading someone to their eternal damnation (2 Timothy 2:15). When a person repeatedly does this, it’s possible they do not yet have the Holy Spirit residing within to convict them.
“For it is not the one who commends himself that is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”
2 Corinthians 10:18
“Abstain from every form of evil.”
1 Thessalonians 5:22
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
1 John 3:18