Paul looked at the Christians in Galatia and asked a very serious question: “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” They had heard the truth. Jesus Christ had been clearly portrayed before them as crucified. Yet false teachers had come in and were adding requirements from the Law of Moses to the gospel.

The danger was real then, and it is real for us today.

We can also be led astray when something sounds convincing, religious, or appealing but does not agree with the Word of God. Jesus warned us that false prophets would come in sheep’s clothing while inwardly being ravenous wolves. Paul, Peter, and John all warned that false teachers would arise, deceptive philosophies would spread, and some people would turn away from the truth.

So we have to be careful about what we believe and who we allow to influence us.

You cannot assume that every religious message is true simply because it sounds spiritual. We can be fascinated by persuasive words, popular ideas, human traditions, or changing cultural standards. We can even become so accustomed to the thinking of the world that we begin judging Scripture by society instead of judging society by Scripture.

That is how people become spiritually bewitched.

We see it when human traditions are placed above God’s Word. We see it when philosophies such as humanism or secularism shape our thinking more than Scripture. We see it when preachers promise health, wealth, and blessings in exchange for money. We see it when moral standards change with the culture, and churches follow those changes rather than remaining faithful to what God has revealed.

The question is not simply whether the world has been deceived.

The question is: Can you and I be deceived, too?

Yes, we can.

That is why Paul points us back to the most important truth of all: Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins.

We must never forget the cross.

The Law of Moses could not save the Galatians. Human traditions cannot save us. Philosophy cannot save us. A popular preacher cannot save us. And a different gospel cannot save us.

Paul warned in Galatians chapter 1 that even if an angel from heaven preached another gospel, that message was to be rejected. There is not one gospel for one generation and another for another generation. God’s truth does not change simply because the world changes.

We need to remember how our spiritual lives begin.

Paul asked the Galatians whether they received the Spirit through works of the law or through the hearing of faith. The answer was through the hearing of faith.

But biblical faith is more than simply saying, “I believe.”

When we truly hear the gospel in faith, we respond to what God has told us. We hear the gospel. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We repent of our sins, which means more than saying we are sorry—we make a genuine change in our lives. We confess Jesus Christ openly, and we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.

Then we continue faithfully.

Our relationship with God is not something we begin and then abandon. We must remain faithful, continue studying His Word, and continue growing in Christ.

God is the One who supplies the Spirit. God confirmed the message of Christ and His apostles through signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Because of that, we do not need a new gospel or a new revelation from a modern teacher.

We need the message already given through Jesus Christ and His apostles.

So when you hear someone teaching something religious, ask yourself: Does this agree with Scripture?

Do not accept something simply because the speaker is popular.

Do not believe something simply because it makes you feel good.

Do not change your convictions simply because society has changed.

Do not allow traditions, philosophies, prosperity promises, or cultural trends to replace what God has said.

We need to open the Bible and examine the truth for ourselves.

Jesus said in John 8:31–32 that if we continue in His word, we will know the truth, and the truth will make us free.

That is where our confidence must be.

Not in the opinions of men.

Not in a changing culture.

Not in religious trends.

But in Jesus Christ and His Word.

So where do you stand today?

Are you a child of God? Have you heard the gospel, believed it, repented of your sins, confessed Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and been baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins?

And if you are already a Christian but you have stumbled, remember that you can turn back to God. You can seek His forgiveness and return to faithful obedience.

There are many voices in the world trying to influence us. Some will sound intelligent. Some will sound religious. Some will be very persuasive.

But we cannot allow ourselves to be bewitched.

We must remember Christ crucified. We must listen to His Word. We must obey the gospel. And we must remain faithful to the truth that sets us free.