Discerning the Voice: Recognizing False Guidance in a Loud World

 Discerning the Voice: Recognizing False Guidance in a Loud World

Matthew 7:15

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” — Matthew 7:15

We live in an age of voices.

Podcasts advise us.

Influencers motivate us.

Leaders promise direction.

Even friends attempt to interpret truth for us.

But Jesus did not warn us about obvious evil — He warned us about deceptive good.

Not wolves dressed as wolves.

Wolves dressed as sheep.

That distinction matters more today than ever.

The Nature of Spiritual Deception

A false prophet rarely appears dangerous at first glance.

They speak kindly, sound wise, and often quote truth. That’s what makes them effective.

Deception in Scripture is rarely loud — it is persuasive.

A lie works best when it stands beside truth.

Satan did not tempt Eve with rebellion.

He tempted her with reinterpretation.

“Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1)

False guidance does not always oppose God openly.

Often, it simply reshapes God into something more comfortable.

Less conviction.

Less accountability.

More self-centered spirituality.

Sheep’s Clothing Today

In our time, sheep’s clothing often looks like:

• Messages that never confront sin

• Teaching that prioritizes feelings over truth

• Spirituality without repentance

• Encouragement without transformation

• Popularity replacing obedience

The danger is not harsh voices.

The danger is affirming voices that slowly separate us from Scripture.

A message can feel peaceful and still be spiritually harmful.

Not everything that comforts you comes from God.

How Jesus Said to Identify Them

Jesus didn’t tell us to judge appearances — He told us to inspect fruit.

Not charisma.

Not followers.

Not presentation.

Fruit.

A teacher’s life will eventually reveal their doctrine.

Godly fruit produces:

Humility, repentance, reverence for Scripture, growth in holiness, dependence on Christ

False fruit produces:

Pride, self-exaltation, Scripture twisting, moral compromise, dependence on personality

Truth leads people to Christ.

False teaching leads people to the teacher.

Why Discernment Matters

Believers are not only called to love — we are called to discern.

Love without discernment becomes vulnerability.

Discernment without love becomes harshness.

God calls us to both.

The goal is anchoring in truth so deception becomes obvious.

The closer you know Scripture, the faster you recognize counterfeits.

The Responsibility of the Believer

We cannot outsource spiritual judgment.

Not to a pastor.

Not to a platform.

Not to popularity.

Every believer is responsible for testing what they hear.

Truth is not confirmed by volume.

Truth is confirmed by alignment with God’s Word.

A comforting lie is still a lie.

A convicting truth is still mercy.

Final Thought

Jesus didn’t give this warning to create fear — He gave it to create protection.

False prophets are dangerous not because they hate God openly, but because they misrepresent Him convincingly.

Stay rooted in Scripture.

Stay sensitive to conviction.

Stay closer to Christ than to personalities.

Because sometimes the greatest spiritual threat is not persecution…

…it’s persuasion.

Carl Mathis

Faith & Personal Growth Writer

You Will Seek Me and Find Me

You Will Seek Me and Find Me

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13

There is a difference between looking for God and seeking Him.

Looking is casual.

Seeking is intentional.

Looking is convenient.

Seeking costs something.

In Jeremiah 29:13, God makes a bold promise:

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

This verse is not a suggestion. It is a guarantee. But notice the condition — with all your heart.

The Context Behind the Promise

This scripture was written to the Israelites while they were in exile in Babylon. They were displaced, discouraged, and living in a season that didn’t make sense. God had allowed them to go through hardship, yet He also promised restoration.

Before verse 13, God says:

“For I know the plans I have for you…” (Jeremiah 29:11)

But between the promise and the fulfillment was a period of seeking.

God wasn’t hiding from them. He was waiting for their full attention.

Half-Hearted Seeking Produces Half-Hearted Results

Many people want God’s blessings but not His presence.

They want answers but not intimacy.

They want breakthrough without surrender.

You don’t find God accidentally.

You find Him intentionally.

Seeking with “all your heart” means:

• Not just praying when you're in trouble

• Not just worshipping when you feel good

• Not just believing when it’s convenient

It means pursuit. Passion. Priority.

hen God becomes your first response instead of your last resort, everything changes.

Why God Requires the Whole Heart

Because God is not competing for space.

He does not share the throne of your life with fear, pride, doubt, or distraction.

When you seek Him with your whole heart:

• Your motives align.

• Your priorities shift.

• Your peace increases.

• Your clarity sharpens.

The transformation happens before the breakthrough.

And sometimes, finding God doesn’t mean He changes your situation — it means He changes you in the middle of it.

The Promise Still Stands

If you feel distant from God, ask yourself:

Have I truly sought Him — or have I just wanted Him to fix something?

God’s promise is not that you might find Him.

It is that you will find Him.

But wholehearted pursuit unlocks it.

Practical Ways to Seek God With Your Whole Heart

1. Daily Time in His Word – Not out of obligation, but expectation.

2. Focused Prayer – Not rushed. Not distracted.

3. Worship Beyond Sunday – Let it become lifestyle.

4. Remove Competing Distractions – What gets most of your time gets most of your heart.

5. Obey What You Already Know – Revelation increases with obedience.

God responds to hunger.

Not perfection.

Not performance.

Hunger.

And when you seek Him with your whole heart, you won’t just find answers — you’ll find Him.

And finding Him is everything.



About theAuthor

Carl Mathis is a Christian author and motivational writer committed to encouraging others through faith-driven personal growth. His work focuses on discipline, mindset, spiritual maturity, and practical wisdom for everyday life

When the Impossible Isn’t the End

                                                                   CARL MATHIS

                                                             Faith. Discipline. Growth.

                                           ────────────────────────────

                                                        When the Impossible Isn’t the End

                                                                      Matthew 19:26

                                           ────────────────────────────

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”

There are moments in life when reality feels immovable.

A diagnosis.

A financial crisis.

A broken relationship.

A dream that seems too far gone to recover.

From a human perspective, some situations simply don’t add up. The math doesn’t work. The resources aren’t there. The strength feels gone. Eventually, we reach the edge of our own ability.

That is exactly where this verse speaks.

Jesus does not deny impossibility. He acknowledges it.

“With man this is impossible…”

Human strength has limits. Discipline has limits. Strategy has limits. Even faith can feel strained when we rely only on what we see.

But Jesus finishes the sentence:

“…but with God all things are possible.”

That shift changes everything.

The Context of the Impossible

In this passage, the disciples had just witnessed the rich young ruler walk away. They were confused. If someone blessed with influence and resources struggled, what hope was there for anyone else?

Jesus reframed the equation. Salvation and transformation are not products of human effort alone. They are the result of divine power.

This is not motivational optimism. It is spiritual truth.

The Difference Between Human Effort and Divine Power

Human effort depends on skill, timing, connections, money, and personal strength. All of these matter—but all of them are finite.

Divine power is not limited by probability, exhaustion, past failure, or lack of resources.

When we rely only on ourselves, we eventually hit a ceiling. When we surrender to God, there is no ceiling.

Faith Does Not Ignore Facts

Believing that all things are possible does not mean pretending difficulty does not exist.

The diagnosis may be real.

The debt may be real.

The disappointment may be real.

But so is God.

Faith does not erase reality. It elevates perspective.

When God Does the Impossible

Sometimes the miracle is visible—doors open, healing comes, provision arrives.

Other times the miracle is internal—peace replaces panic, courage replaces fear, perseverance replaces the desire to quit.

The greatest impossibilities often become testimonies.

Final Encouragement

Matthew 19:26 is not a promise of ease. It is a reminder of authority.

With man, it may be impossible.

With God, it is never final.



About the Author

Carl Mathis is a faith-driven author and motivational voice committed to inspiring growth, discipline, and resilience. Through biblical principles and practical life lessons, he encourages readers to think higher, live stronger, and trust God fully in every season of life.

 

The Power of Doing Good: Why Small Acts Matter More Than You Think.

 The Power of Doing Good: Why Small Acts Matter More Than You Think

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” — Hebrews 13:16

In a world that often celebrates success, status, and self-promotion, this verse offers a different blueprint for a meaningful life. It doesn’t point us toward wealth or recognition. It points us toward goodness and generosity.

Not grand gestures. Not spotlight moments. Just doing good — and sharing.

Goodness isn’t complicated. Many people delay kindness because they think it has to be big to count. But goodness shows up in everyday moments — checking on a friend, encouraging someone who’s struggling, sharing a meal, or simply being present when someone needs support.

Often, the smallest sacrifices carry the greatest impact.

The verse uses the word “sacrifice,” and that word changes everything. A sacrifice costs something — your time, comfort, energy, or resources. Doing good isn’t always convenient. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable. Sometimes you give when you’d rather rest. But that’s exactly why it matters.

If it costs nothing, it means little. If it costs something, it becomes meaningful.

Here’s the beautiful paradox: when you give, you grow. Serving others softens your heart, widens your perspective, and strengthens your character. You begin to see people differently and appreciate what truly matters.

You don’t need wealth, status, or a large platform to make a difference. You just need willingness. Some of the most powerful acts of love happen quietly — unseen and uncelebrated — yet they change lives forever.

This verse doesn’t say God is pleased by perfection. It says He’s pleased by goodness and sharing. That means kindness matters. Compassion matters. Generosity matters. Your everyday choices matter.

A kind word might stop someone from giving up. A shared meal might restore hope. A small sacrifice might change a life.

So today, don’t forget to do good. Don’t forget to share. Because sometimes the simplest acts are the most sacred.

About the Author

Carl Mathis

Carl Mathis is a writer, speaker, and personal growth advocate passionate about helping others develop discipline, confidence, and faith-centered purpose. Through his books, blog, and digital content, he encourages readers to live intentionally, think positively, and take daily action toward becoming their best selves.

Some  books by the author: Carl Mathis

  

                                                                                    

Stop Waiting for the Perfect Time — Start Where You Are

 Stop Waiting for the Perfect Time — Start Where You Are

By Carl Mathis

There’s a lie we tell ourselves that sounds smart, responsible, and logical.

“I’ll start when the time is right.”

When I have more money. When life slows down. When I feel more confident. When everything lines up perfectly.

But here’s the truth most people don’t want to admit:

The perfect time never shows up.

Life doesn’t clear the schedule for your dreams. If you keep waiting for ideal conditions, you’ll spend your entire life watching other people live the life you wanted.

The Myth of “Ready”

Most people think successful people felt ready. They didn’t. They felt scared, unprepared, unsure, and doubtful — they just started anyway.

Confidence doesn’t come first. Action comes first. Confidence follows.

Small Steps Beat Big Plans

We love planning, but planning without movement changes nothing. You don’t need a perfect plan. You need a first step.

Messy action beats perfect ideas every single time.

Start With What You Have

Right now, you already have something you can use — time, a phone, experience, a story, or a skill. It may not feel like enough, but it’s enough to start.

Momentum shows up only after movement. Never before.

Your Future Self Is Watching

There are two versions of you — one who waited and one who started. The one who started is stronger, smarter, and further ahead, simply because they took action.

Final Thought

You don’t need perfect conditions. You don’t need permission. You don’t need certainty. You just need courage for one small step.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

About the Author

Carl Mathis is a personal growth writer and mindset coach focused on discipline, confidence, and daily improvement. Through practical lessons and real-life motivation, he helps readers stop overthinking and start taking action to build the life they truly want.

Some of Carl Mathis Books.  And wherever books are sold.

Growth Is a Decision — Not a Feeling (Part Two)

 Growth Is a Decision — Not a Feeling (Part Two)

Becoming the Person You Keep Promising Yourself You’ll Be

Last time, we talked about something most people avoid: growth is uncomfortable. It stretches you, exposes you, and forces you to confront parts of yourself you’d rather ignore.

But here’s the next truth most people never realize:

Growth isn’t something that happens to you. It’s something you decide. Every single day.

You don’t rise to your goals. You fall to your habits.

People love setting goals, but goals alone don’t change your life. Habits do. Because what you practice daily becomes who you are.

If you practice excuses, you get average results. If you practice discipline, you get uncommon results. Your routine is your real future.

Stop asking, “What do I want?” Start asking, “Who do I need to become?”

Success isn’t about getting more. It’s about becoming more disciplined, focused, resilient, and accountable. You can’t build a better life with the same old mindset.

Motivation is unreliable. Some days you’ll feel inspired. Other days you won’t. If you rely on feelings, you’ll only work when it’s convenient — and convenience never built anything great.

Committed people show up anyway. They write when they don’t feel creative. They train when they’re tired. They do the work when others are scrolling.

Confidence doesn’t come from hype. It comes from proof.

You build that proof by keeping small promises to yourself. Wake up when you say you will. Finish what you start. Do the workout. Write the page. Make the call.

Every time you follow through, you build trust with yourself.

There’s no neutral in life. You’re either growing or coasting. Either improving or drifting.

Comfort may feel safe, but it keeps you stuck. Progress requires intention.

So decide who you’re becoming.

Choose discipline. Choose responsibility. Choose effort. Choose progress over excuses.

Nobody is coming to save you. But you don’t need saving. You need a decision — and the courage to follow through.

Growth isn’t a feeling.

It’s a choice you make daily.

Books by — Carl Mathis

Growth Isn’t Comfortable — And That’s the Point

 

Most people say they want to grow

They want more confidence. More money. Better habits. A stronger mindset. A better life.

But here’s the truth nobody talks about:

Growth doesn’t feel good at first.

It feels awkward. It feels uncertain. It feels like failing… a lot.

And that’s exactly why most people quit before they ever change.

Comfort Is the Enemy of Progress

We love comfort. Sleeping in. Staying quiet. Avoiding risks. Doing what we’ve always done.

Comfort feels safe. But comfort is also where dreams go to die.

Nothing grows inside a comfort zone. Not muscles. Not confidence. Not character.

Growth only shows up when you stretch yourself past what’s easy. When you do the thing you don’t feel ready for. When you show up tired but still work. When you try again after failing publicly.

That’s where the real transformation happens.

The Hard Seasons Build You

Every person you admire has gone through a season that almost broke them. The late nights. The self-doubt. The setbacks. The moments where quitting felt easier than continuing.

But those hard seasons weren’t punishments. They were preparation.

Because struggle does something comfort never can. It builds strength.

You don’t develop discipline when life is easy. You develop it when you don’t feel like going — but go anyway.

Pressure creates diamonds.

Stop Waiting to Feel Ready

One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is: “I’ll start when I feel ready.”

You’ll never feel ready.

Confidence doesn’t come first. Action does. Courage doesn’t come first. Movement does. Growth doesn’t come after comfort. It comes after discomfort.

You become ready by doing.

Small Wins Change Everything

Personal growth isn’t about giant breakthroughs. It’s about small daily victories.

Waking up earlier. Reading a few pages. Working out when you’d rather scroll. Choosing discipline over excuses.

Tiny actions repeated daily turn into massive results over time.

Consistency beats motivation every time.

The Person You Want to Be Is Built Daily

You don’t arrive at a better life. You build it.

Day by day. Choice by choice. Habit by habit.

Every decision either moves you closer to growth or back to comfort.

Choose the harder path sometimes. Choose the uncomfortable conversation. Choose the extra effort. Choose disciplined action.

Because growth isn’t supposed to feel easy.

It’s supposed to change you.

And change is rarely comfortable.

But it’s always worth it.

— Carl Mathis

Carl's Books.