
Read the Passage Here: John 8: 31-47
This passage makes me think a lot of our world today and how to discern what spirit is speaking to us. This takes some time to learn, but as you get in the word and you let the word get in you, you begin to "know" Jesus". Have you ever been with someone so long that you just know their handwriting. You don't even have to see them write the words, you just know it's them? Reading the word of God, the Holy Bible, is the same way, you begin to recognize what God says and what he wouldn't say.
Remember Satan tried to tempt Jesus with scripture. He quoted it out of context because he knew that Jesus lived by God's word. Jesus clearly recognized that Satan was "twisting the truth" and he called him out on it. You will be able to do the same, if you are not able to already.
One time I had a girlfriend call me up and tell me that she believed that God wanted her to leave her husband for another man because the other man needed her, so he could be "saved" and come to know Christ. Clearly to me, Satan was drawing her out of God's will, but he had "persuaded" her that it was the "right thing to do." All she would have needed was a little more time in the word to figure out she was being lied to. Unfortunately, she did leave her husband for this man, and a short while later both the relationships crashed leaving her feeling empty inside and doubting "God's Purpose" in her life. The problem was; she wasn't following "God's Purpose" she was following "Satan's".
As you see in this section, even religious leaders can sway you away from God's word and to give credit to themselves or the church. I'm certain it doesn't happen on purpose, it's a subtle gradual change, provoked by Satan's lies, and sometimes the leaders don't realize what is happening because they are "working for God" and sometimes being in their position, they feel it's them that has responsibility. Pray for your leaders, they are vulnerable, and finding a Pastor that is steadfast is a gem! They are out there, you can discern it just as you can discern God's word, but to do so you must be in God's word yourself!
Keep up with the Bible Study, especially if you don't read on your own. As my Aunt pointed out, you need daily bread (God's word) to survive each day!