All human beings are susceptible to all manner of deception. It is one thing to be intentionally deceived by another person, but far worse is when we are deluded by self. This sort of deception we often do not recognise. We are most blind to the deceptions which lurk in our hearts, and since no man can know the depravity of his own heart we are susceptible to it.
In addition to revealing God to us, the Bible is a primary means of warning against and identifying common deceptions for us. The clear implication of God’s warnings against deceptions is we indeed can be deceived. It is important for us to examine our hearts, admitting we too can be deceived. If we do not heed God’s Word we blindly head to ruin. Because God knows the thoughts and intent of our hearts, loves us and is the source of all wisdom, He faithfully reveals our common faults and the path of righteousness.
Deceptions take place in our minds and hearts. The way we naturally think appeals to the flesh, and the scripture rightly applied by the Holy Spirit changes the way we think. So what are common deceptions the Bible says we must be aware of?
We can be deceived to turn aside to idolatry. Deuteronomy 11:16-17 states, “Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, [17] lest the LORD'S anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the LORD is giving you.” I believe it was Calvin who quipped the hearts of men are idol factories, and even a cursory glance at our lives reveals our affections and faith is often misplaced. We must be watchful and take heed to guard our hearts and minds from idolatry and not assume we are loyal only to God.
We can be deceived to follow false saviours. Luke 21:8 reads, “And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them.” The Son of God Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and He is the only one Christians ought to follow. It is natural for us to follow after men, to look to them for guidance and leading rather than God. The world offers many false saviours and vain men are glad to draw followers unto themselves. We can be deceived by liars, thinking their way is right when it is not Christ's way. Many have turned aside after deceivers, but may we not be among them.
We can be deceived to think the unrighteous will go to heaven. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, [10] nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” Those who are born again have crucified the lusts of the flesh. If we are truly transformed within by the power of the Holy Spirit, the evidence of this will be clearly seen. The Gospel of grace is no excuse to continue in sin, for there is no salvation without repentance. Those who believe they are saved when their lives are defined by habitual sin are deceived. We may give a "free pass" for others for their sin, but God will not. God's judgment concerning sin and how we live matters!
We can be deceived to think we are impervious to evil influence. 1 Corinthians 15:33 reads, “Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." Sin is a pollutant which defiles our minds, hearts, and wounds our souls. It destroys a godly witness and renders us spiritually dull and listless. We are deceived if we think we can expose ourselves to filth or dabble in disobedience without serious consequences. There may be men compared to “Teflon” because nothing seems to stick to them, but spiritually we are all dry sponges which unthinkingly absorb whatever liquid that contacts us. God is able to preserve us from all evil, yet when we intentionally dip our minds and hearts in filth the fountain of Living Water within us is defiled.
We can be deceived to believe sinful choices will not bear evil fruit. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” The type of a seed sown will be clearly evident after it sprouts, grows to maturity, and bears fruit. If we sow to the flesh we will of the flesh reap corruption. We can be deceived to think it is what we believe with our minds and profess with our mouths is of primary importance, but God examines the inner man: our motives, thoughts, and obedience. He knows if we are proud, arrogant, and rebellious, and a polished image before men does not mean righteousness before God. We can trick men, but we cannot fool God: what we sow we will reap.
So how did you go? When we fall prey to deception we must repent before God, for He is a redeemer and restorer of souls. And if all seems well it is good for us to admit our tendency to all these deceptions so we might be on guard against them in the future, being watchful concerning ourselves whilst looking out for one another.
In addition to revealing God to us, the Bible is a primary means of warning against and identifying common deceptions for us. The clear implication of God’s warnings against deceptions is we indeed can be deceived. It is important for us to examine our hearts, admitting we too can be deceived. If we do not heed God’s Word we blindly head to ruin. Because God knows the thoughts and intent of our hearts, loves us and is the source of all wisdom, He faithfully reveals our common faults and the path of righteousness.
Deceptions take place in our minds and hearts. The way we naturally think appeals to the flesh, and the scripture rightly applied by the Holy Spirit changes the way we think. So what are common deceptions the Bible says we must be aware of?
We can be deceived to turn aside to idolatry. Deuteronomy 11:16-17 states, “Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, [17] lest the LORD'S anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the LORD is giving you.” I believe it was Calvin who quipped the hearts of men are idol factories, and even a cursory glance at our lives reveals our affections and faith is often misplaced. We must be watchful and take heed to guard our hearts and minds from idolatry and not assume we are loyal only to God.
We can be deceived to follow false saviours. Luke 21:8 reads, “And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them.” The Son of God Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and He is the only one Christians ought to follow. It is natural for us to follow after men, to look to them for guidance and leading rather than God. The world offers many false saviours and vain men are glad to draw followers unto themselves. We can be deceived by liars, thinking their way is right when it is not Christ's way. Many have turned aside after deceivers, but may we not be among them.
We can be deceived to think the unrighteous will go to heaven. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, [10] nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” Those who are born again have crucified the lusts of the flesh. If we are truly transformed within by the power of the Holy Spirit, the evidence of this will be clearly seen. The Gospel of grace is no excuse to continue in sin, for there is no salvation without repentance. Those who believe they are saved when their lives are defined by habitual sin are deceived. We may give a "free pass" for others for their sin, but God will not. God's judgment concerning sin and how we live matters!
We can be deceived to think we are impervious to evil influence. 1 Corinthians 15:33 reads, “Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." Sin is a pollutant which defiles our minds, hearts, and wounds our souls. It destroys a godly witness and renders us spiritually dull and listless. We are deceived if we think we can expose ourselves to filth or dabble in disobedience without serious consequences. There may be men compared to “Teflon” because nothing seems to stick to them, but spiritually we are all dry sponges which unthinkingly absorb whatever liquid that contacts us. God is able to preserve us from all evil, yet when we intentionally dip our minds and hearts in filth the fountain of Living Water within us is defiled.
We can be deceived to believe sinful choices will not bear evil fruit. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” The type of a seed sown will be clearly evident after it sprouts, grows to maturity, and bears fruit. If we sow to the flesh we will of the flesh reap corruption. We can be deceived to think it is what we believe with our minds and profess with our mouths is of primary importance, but God examines the inner man: our motives, thoughts, and obedience. He knows if we are proud, arrogant, and rebellious, and a polished image before men does not mean righteousness before God. We can trick men, but we cannot fool God: what we sow we will reap.
So how did you go? When we fall prey to deception we must repent before God, for He is a redeemer and restorer of souls. And if all seems well it is good for us to admit our tendency to all these deceptions so we might be on guard against them in the future, being watchful concerning ourselves whilst looking out for one another.
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