Our lord repeatedly instructed us: "Be not deceived". That is an imperative: A command, not simply a suggestion. But how? What are the tools to prevent our being deceived or misled?

The context of a passage is always a primary consideration in the search for understanding of a passage of scripture. It is often cited, "A verse out of context is a pretext". And, indeed, one must always maintain an awareness of both who is doing the speaking and the audience being addressed. However, this foundational emphasis can also be a restrictive blindfold to some of a passage's deeper (and broader) implications.