And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.”
Matthew 24:4 NKJV
What does it mean to deceive?
In Webster’s American 1828 Dictionary, deceive means to mislead the mind; to cause to err; to cause to believe what is false, or disbelieve what is true; to beguile; to take from, to rob. One of Satan’s strategies is to manipulate us by trying to deceive us and take from and rob us of God’s absolute truth. Our soul is made up of our mind, will and emotions and these three things the devil can use to try to manipulate, deceive and gain control over us. The main weapon he uses against us to manipulate and deceive us is fear but always remember that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
Another strategy he uses to deceive us is through pride, be careful because pride leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18). The devil has no power unless we give him power. Don’t succumb to his lies and manipulations lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). He has been using these strategies since the beginning in Genesis 3:13 when Eve told the Lord that the serpent beguiled (cheated, outwitted, and deceived) her, and she ate from the forbidden tree.
How will deceit come?
According to Derek Prince, deception may not come directly as a total denial of the faith, but it could come in the form of a question or questions that make you question your faith or certain parts of the doctrine, a subtle doubt. Don’t entertain those questions or thoughts at all because just like Eve entertained the thoughts she was, and you will be too defeated and deceived by Satan and fall into transgression (1 Timothy 3:14) when we entertain the enemies’ questions. I personally have encountered such questions from others and from the enemy, but I never entertain those lies.
In turn I fight back with the facts that God is absolutely good, just, truth and merciful and I may not understand everything, but I know that He will always work together everything for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28). He is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19), He is incapable of lying. All of His promises are yes and Amen (2 Corinthians 1:20)! When you have a more intimate relationship with God and get to know how absolutely good He is, you will be quicker to not entertain any negative thoughts that may arise that may want you to question Him. In this post I biblically uncover many great deceptions.
False Prophets/teachers
In 1 Timothy, the church in Ephesus had the problem of false doctrine. Paul writes to Timothy in chapter 4, verse 1 and 2 saying that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons being propagated by hypocrisy of those who speak lies. Jesus warned us of this saying that many will come in His name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many and there will be many false prophets who will rise up and deceive many (Matthew 24: 5, 11). Peter also warns of false teachers who will secretly infiltrate the church to divide, bringing with them destructive heresies and will even deny the Master who paid the price for them, bringing swift destruction on themselves (2 Peter 2:1-3).
False teachers are servants of Satan and not Jesus Christ. John 8:44 tells us that Satan does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him and whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
By knowing the word of God, we are less likely to be deceived by false prophets/ teachers who come disguised as lambs, appearing to be genuine, but on the inside, they are like wild, ravenous wolves! You can spot them by their actions, for the fruits of their character will be obvious. You’ll know them by the obvious fruit of their lives and ministries (Matthew 7:15-16, 20). Paul helps us further to identify false teachers, they will claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him (Titus 1:16). They will appear to be a beacon of light but within themselves and by their fruits, there is only darkness.
He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him (John 7:18). Be very heedful of those false teachers and churches who only glorify themselves and their own “greatness” instead of Jesus Christ for example Simon the sorcerer in Samaria who referred himself as “the Great One- the Power of God” (Acts 8:9-10).
Also be very wary of those that do not teach directly from the bible, the book of truth. For men will rise up twisting the truth to seduce people into following them instead of Jesus (Acts 20:30). The Lord warns in Jeremiah 23:1 NLT, “What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for.” Matthew 18:7 tells us that misery will come to the one who lures people away into sin. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).
Paul writes that our faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:5). We are to listen to God and what’s in the bible not in what man says and any earthly wisdom. Don’t deceive yourself and think you are wise by the world’s standards. You would be wiser by being a fool for God, for the world’s wisdom is foolishness in God’s eyes. Therefore, let no one glory in men. (1 Corinthians 3:18-19, 21).
Have Total Faith in God and Not Man
We must only have absolute and full trust and faith in the Lord our God not in man. We are to trust God completely and man discreetly, being balanced in our trusting when it comes to man. Jeremiah 17:9 states that the human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Jesus said in John 2:24-25 that He would not give Himself fully and commit to them because He knows human nature and knows what’s in man’s heart, for He is the discerner of hearts and motives. Therefore, we are not to put all our full trust, faith and belief in any spiritual leader. We are though, called to honor our leaders. They are there to help teach, lead and guide the body of Christ, but they are still man, they are imperfect just as we are.
We are only made perfect in Christ who is perfect in every way. Spiritual leaders or elders are not more special to God than you or I are. They may have an anointing and calling upon them from God but God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). James 3:1 shows us that teachers will be judged by a higher standard because they have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if they teach incorrectly. The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14).
Just as our leaders and elders are there to help and Godly edify and keep us all on the right track, the body of Christ, so we too must be knowledgeable in the word to in turn help, support and Godly edify our leaders making sure they also are on the right track, being cautious as well as to not to judge or criticize or you too will be judged, for in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:1-2).
There’s only one true God
There is only one God, the Father, out of Him is all things, and our lives are lived for Him and there is one Lord, Jesus, the Anointed One, through whom we and all things exist (1 Corinthians 8:6). For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one (1 John 5:7). Jesus was the word made flesh (John 1:14). Therefore, we as Christians, serve one God whereby there are three persons of the Godhead, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We serve a one true God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (Exodus 3:6).
There is only one way to heaven
There’s only one narrow pathway to heaven and to God and that’s through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Enter through the narrow gate because the wide gate and broad path is the way that leads to destruction—nearly everyone chooses that crowded road! The narrow gate and the difficult way leads to eternal life—so few even find it!” (Matthew 7:14).
Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23 that not everyone who says to Him, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of His Father in heaven and that many will say to Him in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then He will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Salvation only comes through Jesus Christ
Salvation does not depend on what denomination you belong to. Romans 10:9-13 AMP states that if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will not be disappointed [in his expectations].” For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; for the same Lord is Lord over all [of us], and [He is] abounding in riches (blessings) for all who call on Him [in faith and prayer]. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord [in prayer] will be saved.”
The scripture clearly states that when we acknowledge and confess with our mouth Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in our heart that He died for our sins and He was raised from the dead we will be saved. We are only saved by grace through faith and this is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no man can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Paul shows us that people who practice evil cannot possess God’s kingdom realm. Those who continue to engage in sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, sexual perversion, homosexuality, fraud, greed, drunkenness, verbal abuse, or extortion—these will not inherit God’s kingdom realm (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Once you truly repent and change your lifestyle you can be purified from sin, made holy, and given a perfect standing before God. Jesus is the only one that gives salvation and can forgive our sins. He deserves our prayers, honor, worship, praise, and thanks for what He accomplished on the cross.
Christians can have demons
Even if you are a Christian do not be deceived that you are not able to have an evil spirit. There are many ways we may unknowingly open a door to the enemy to oppress or demonize us. Derek Prince put forth this remarkable truth that we cannot be demon possessed but rather we could become demonized. A demon cannot possess or own a person because we were already bought by the blood of Jesus, we are His and only His. We were bought at an expensive price, our body and Spirit are His (1 Corinthians 6:20).
Abortion is an abomination to God
For more about this topic see our blog post: “Abortion: The Shedding of Innocent Blood” under the Page Header ” Absolute Truth and Deception” or CLICK HERE.
In the last days there would be great DECEPTIONS that will occur which we need to be very much aware of. See our next post to learn more.
References:
Derek Prince. (2014, August 19). Take Heed That You Are Not Deceived – Derek Prince [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yiAukSfVAc
Max Ocheredko. (2016, October 4). RELIGIOUS DECEPTION. Derek Prince. Audio sermon [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz39stIFyrI
Webster, N. (2015). Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language (Compact Edition). Waking Lion Press.
