Duane Sheriff Ministries - Feed

As we navigate today's complex world, God's wisdom should serve as a compass to guard against the foolishness prevalent in our culture. In the final episode of "Safeguards Against Deception," Duane Sheriff teaches us how to obtain wisdom through prayer and introduces the concept of the seven pillars of wisdom, which provide the foundation for our lives.God's wisdom is essential for discernment and protection. The book of James reminds us that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God for it. This simple act of asking in faith can transform our decision-making and discernment. Just as Solomon sought wisdom to lead God's people, we, too, can seek divine wisdom in our daily lives.https://pastorduane.com/safeguards-against-deception/

In episode nine of "Safeguards Against Deception," Duane Sheriff teaches the power and importance of prayer. In a world filled with deception and darkness, prayer is a vital tool for communion with God. It allows Jesus, the gardener of our hearts, to cultivate truth and uproot deceit. To enhance your prayer life, establish a consistent rhythm of prayer using scriptural passages from Ephesians and Colossians. These passages focus on seeking wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual understanding. These prayers empower believers to walk in truth, bear fruit, and remain steadfast in their faith. By focusing on God instead of the chaos of the world, prayer becomes a crucial defense against deception.https://pastorduane.com/safeguards-against-deception/

In today's world, many people reject and even despise the truth. In episode eight of "Safeguards Against Deception," Duane Sheriff teaches that we should be lovers of the truth, not just people who respect God's Word. Being a lover of truth means having a deep love for Jesus and His Word. A love for the truth will protect our hearts from being deceived. It keeps us close to Jesus and helps us stand strong against the darkness around us. When we love truth, we love Jesus because He is the truth. You cannot separate loving Jesus from loving His commandments and teachings. In a world full of lies and deception, people need to find the truth through us.https://pastorduane.com/safeguards-against-deception/

Authority impacts every area of life—our homes, families, churches, and even civil society. Neglecting God's divine order leads to confusion, corruption, and instability. When God's order is overturned, darkness gains ground.In part four of "Levels of Authority," Duane Sheriff teaches the importance of understanding God's authority, the church's role in discipling nations, and the need for believers to be unafraid in proclaiming the gospel, even in hostile environments. The life and legacy of Charlie Kirk stands as a modern-day martyr of courage—one who boldly proclaimed truth in the public square and paid the ultimate price. His voice still speaks, reminding us that authority without God collapses, but authority under God brings light, order, and hope to a broken world. This is not the time to retreat in fear but to stand boldly in courage—rooted in God's authority, speaking truth in love, and shining His light in the darkest places.

In episode seven of "Safeguards Against Deception," Duane Sheriff teaches how the fear of the Lord protects believers against the deceptions and false teachings in our culture today. Fearing God is not about being afraid but about worshiping, serving, and putting God first. This Godly fear brings our hearts into alignment with God's values, cultivating a love for what He loves and a hatred for what He hates. By placing God first, we enhance our ability to discern truth from deception.https://pastorduane.com/safeguards-against-deception/

One of the most crucial skills we can develop as "Safeguards Against Deception" is learning to discern God's voice. Yet, many struggle to hear God's voice because they believe His voice should be loud and clear. John 10 says that His sheep have the innate ability to hear and recognize the Shepherd's voice.In episode six, Duane Sheriff teaches that understanding the language of the Holy Spirit is essential for recognizing God's voice and distinguishing it from deceptive influences. God speaks in various ways, including a still, small voice, as well as through dreams, visions, and prophecy.https://pastorduane.com/safeguards-against-deception/

Satan has an M.O., a distinct modus operandi. His typical methods often question God's Word, promote disbelief, and offer deceptive wisdom. In "Safeguards Against Deception," Duane Sheriff states that all deception starts with "Has God said...?"In episode five, we gain insight into Satan's tactics through the story of Eve's deception in Genesis 3. This timeless pattern conveys the critical importance of standing firm in God's Word as our ultimate authority above our opinions, emotions, or societal pressures. By understanding Satan's tactics, we can better recognize and resist deception in our own lives.https://pastorduane.com/safeguards-against-deception/

God's Word is your first and most critical "Safeguard Against Deception." In episode four, Duane Sheriff warns about the dangers of departing from clear biblical teachings and the simplicity found in Christ, highlighting how cultural deceptions can infiltrate the church when believers prioritize worldly wisdom over God's truth.John 8 and 2 Corinthians 11 emphasize the power of abiding in God's Word. Duane draws interesting parallels between our relationship with Christ and marriage, urging us to stay loyal to Jesus. This loyalty, combined with evaluating everything through the lens of God's Word, creates a strong defense that helps us distinguish truth from lies.https://pastorduane.com/safeguards-against-deception/

God has provided His Word as a "Safeguard Against Deception." The Scripture warns us that in the latter times, some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of devils. In episode three, Duane Sheriff shares the necessity of prioritizing God's Word above all else, including personal relationships, to maintain spiritual integrity and discernment. He addresses the challenges parents face in loving their children while remaining faithful to biblical truth, especially in the face of cultural pressures. The story of the Prodigal Son shows the importance of holding onto God's truth, even when loved one's stray.https://pastorduane.com/safeguards-against-deception/

God has established five levels of government, each with a divine purpose. In part three of "Levels of Authority," Duane Sheriff teaches a biblical view of authority, emphasizing that all authority is ultimately granted by God.God's authority is supreme, followed by self-governance, family, church, and civil governments. When these institutions operate under God's order, they provide blessings, protection, and stability. When authority becomes separated from God's authority, it becomes corrupt and abusive. Many choose to disengage completely from civic responsibility or place politics above their faith. Both extremes miss God's heart.Drawing from Scripture, history, and current events, Duane encourages believers to pray for leaders, stay engaged in society, and live as salt and light. He addresses misconceptions about church and state, warning of the dangers of passivity while encouraging our responsibility for godly engagement to ensure peace, justice, and freedom.

In "Safeguards Against Deception," Duane Sheriff warns against the increasing prevalence of deception and how easily people can be deceived, even within the church, as predicted in 2 Timothy 3:13. He refers to COVID-19 as a "dress rehearsal" for future deceptions, such as those that could involve AI technology. In episode two, we examine three biblical warnings often overlooked: God's law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7), the dangers of sexual immorality and idolatry (Ephesians 5:5-6), and sinful behaviors such as fornication, homosexuality, and theft (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). While Christians are forgiven, God saved us from sin, not to continue in it. It is essential to stay true to God's word by rejecting deception, embracing repentance, and adhering to biblical truth.https://pastorduane.com/safeguards-against-deception/

Our culture has become permeated with lies and deception. The Bible contains over 50 warnings about deception in the last days. Jesus cautions us, "Take heed that no one deceives you" (Matthew 24:4). In the new series "Safeguards Against Deception," Duane Sheriff explores how vulnerable we are to deception and how the church is not exempt, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a wake-up call to prepare for future deceptions.In the first episode, titled "Guard Our Hearts," Duane emphasizes the importance of partnering with Jesus, who acts as the gardener that nurtures, protects, and teaches how to guard our hearts and remain steadfast against deception.https://pastorduane.com/safeguards-against-deception/

Every aspect of life has its own authority structures, including our homes, churches, schools, and society as a whole. When we fail to understand these levels of authority, we often end up frustrated, confused, and even rebellious. In part two of "Levels of Authority," Duane Sheriff teaches God’s divine order of authority and emphasizes why this understanding is crucial for every individual, especially our young people.God’s government stands as the highest authority, and all other forms—self-government, family, church, and civil—flow from Him. When a lower authority attempts to overrule a higher one, corruption follows, leading to disorder and instability. Understanding authority not only provides protection but also empowers us to live with confidence and order in a culture filled with confusion.

To have great faith, you must understand authority. In "Levels of Authority," Duane Sheriff explores the concept of authority in God's kingdom and its relationship to our levels of government. Romans 13:1 reminds us that all authority comes from God. All authority is delegated and should always be accompanied by accountability.Understanding the five levels of authority helps us navigate our roles and responsibilities, along with the limits within each sphere: God's government, self-government, family government, church authority, and civil government. The story of the Roman centurion in Matthew 8 beautifully illustrates how great faith is connected to understanding authority. When we grasp this concept, we can make a real difference in our world. By integrating our faith into civic life, we can be salt and light, contributing to the transformation of our culture while adhering to scriptural truths.

In the tenth and final episode of "Holiness," Duane Sheriff teaches that transformation into holiness occurs progressively as we continually behold God's glory instead of focusing on our sins or the sins of others. This holiness is not achieved through self-effort or willpower but through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. We are gradually transformed into Christ's image when we shift our focus from our failures and past struggles to God's goodness and love.https://pastorduane.com/holiness/

In the ninth episode of "Holiness," Duane Sheriff teaches that godly fear is the key to true wisdom and understanding, helping us discern beyond our physical senses and emotions. True holiness is achieved through a reverent fear of God, which is different from worldly fear. Godly fear leads to worship, wisdom, and a departure from evil. According to 2 Corinthians 7:1, we are encouraged to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. This fear is not one of torment but rather a reverent awe that leads to worship. Cultivating a healthy fear of the Lord leads to a holy life and encourages spiritual growth.https://pastorduane.com/holiness/

In the eighth episode of "Holiness," Duane Sheriff teaches the importance of maintaining a heart sensitive to God's voice. Sin can harden the heart, making hearing and responding to God's guidance difficult. Pursuing holiness helps believers stay attuned to God's guidance and prevents spiritual deafness. Duane draws parallels between the Israelites' rebellion in the wilderness and modern Christians' struggles with sin. We can learn from biblical examples and strive for a holy life. Like the Israelites in the wilderness, we face daily choices whether to heed God's voice or allow our hearts to harden through unbelief and rebellion. https://pastorduane.com/holiness/

What is repentance? It is believing God for "crop failure" when we've sown bad seeds. In the seventh episode of "Holiness," Duane Sheriff teaches the unchanging law of sowing and reaping, explaining how our actions are like seeds that produce either good or bad harvests in our lives. This spiritual principle demonstrates how our actions are like seeds, yielding corruption or eternal life. This episode explores the interesting parallel between this spiritual law and natural laws, such as gravity and changing seasons, emphasizing its consistency and relevance in our daily lives. https://pastorduane.com/holiness/

Why is it important to live a holy life? In the sixth episode of "Holiness," Duane Sheriff challenges common misconceptions about holiness and presents a grace-based perspective on righteous living. Holiness is not about earning God's love or salvation but rather about living out our new nature in Christ, loving God and others, and preventing Satan from gaining influence in our lives. This episode connects love and holiness, referencing Romans 6, which teaches that we are dead to sin and alive in Christ. Our new identity encourages us to live differently—not out of obligation but as a natural expression of our transformed selves. Holiness becomes a natural outflow of God's love in our lives rather than a burdensome list of dos and don'ts.https://pastorduane.com/holiness/

In the fifth episode of "Holiness," Duane Sheriff explores the reasons why Christians are called to lead holy lives. John 14:15 states, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Holiness is not a burden or about earning God's love or salvation. Instead, it is a response to God's love and a reflection of our love for God and others. Duane addresses common misconceptions about holiness and provides a biblical perspective on why we should strive for holiness in our daily lives.https://pastorduane.com/holiness/