Saturday Motivation: Dangers Of Deception
July 12th 2020
Saturday Motivation!
Dangers of Deception:
Text: 1 John 1 v 8; if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
What is Deception?
Deception is an act or statement which misleads, hides the truth or promotes a belief, concept or idea that is not true.
Deception is accepting as true or valid what is false and invalid.
A deceiver convinces others to accept as truth something false.
To be deceived is to be misled and be deluded by a false impression. It can be done through appearances, statements or general influences. Deception is very dangerous because we are always in the dark when we are being deceived.
It is our responsibility to make sure that we are not deceived.
The key to avoiding deception is that instead of choosing what we want to believe, we must choose what we should believe by seeking facts (Luke 16 v 31)
In the world today, there are many things that tempt us and try to draw us away from God. The cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of the flesh which chokes the word and makes it unfruitful in our lives.
It is possible to be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, through the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life. Sin looks enticing and we think that by engaging in sinful activity we will benefit. Sin looks pleasurable and fun.
When people reject truth according to Romans 1 v 20, it leads to a downward spiral of foolish hearts made dark by engaging in sinful acts like idolatry, sexual impurity and other vices.
Deception is so subtle that the one being deceived is usually unaware that the wool has been pulled over their eyes.
We are to test the spirits, not with human reasoning or with the wisdom of men but are to compare every teaching to the word of God which is the standard for truth.
If we are to know the truth on any matter, we need to go to the source of truth which Christ confirmed.
What Is Deception According to Scriptures?
According to scriptures, deception will be a prevalent theme of the last days. We are to believe the scriptures only. Our heart and minds are not a reliable source to discern between good and evil because of sin. We cannot trust our own heart but we are to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ — 2 Corinthians 10 v 5.
Deception is common in our world today because we live in a world full of lies and deceit.
Deceit comes from many different sources.
1. Spirits that lead astray; 1 Timothy 4 v 1
2. Evil Doers and Impostors; 2 Timothy 3 v 13
3. Self-Deception
We deceive ourselves when we merely listen to the word of God but do not do what it says. We can sit in church for years, listen to sermon after sermon but if we do not allow the word of God that we hear to change us, we are suffering from self-deceit.
We can read the bible from cover to cover but if we do not allow the words we read to change us, then we deceive ourselves.
Merely putting our bibles under our pillow at night does not make us good bible students. It is only when we dig into the Word of God that we gain wisdom.
The same thing happens when we look into the mirror to check whether our hair is a mess. Until we get a comb to comb through, our hair will remain a mess.
When a man uses his God given gifts and talents as well and material resources to pursue self-centered objectives, such a man is not made perfect in love but is living in self- deceit.
What can deceive?
1. Sin according to Hebrews 3 v 13
2. Riches; Matthew 13 v 22; Riches can deceive us into thinking that our physical bodies are more important than our spiritual. Some think having lots of money and physical blessings will prevent them from life-struggles. This deception is the downfall of many. So we should not trust in riches because it is uncertain. We must trust in God. (1 Timothy 6 v 10, 17v 19, Matthew 6 v 19-21)
3. False Teachers: These are masters of deception who can deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16 v 18. The yardstick of truth is God`s Word not man or our feelings.
4. Ignorance: This leads to destruction (Hosea 4 v 6). It opens the door wide for deception. By being ignorant of God`s righteousness, we will be deceived into believing falsehood. Romans 10 v 1-3. 2 Corinthians 5 v 21, Philippians 3 v 8-9. We cannot afford to be ignorant of the Word of God.
5. Compromise: This is the greatest weapon that the devil uses. Once he succeeds in deceiving a man, he goes ahead to make that man compromise his stand (Galatians 6 v 7-8; Do not be deceived)
6. Religion: By being religious instead of being Christ like, we deceive ourselves. The Pharisees deceived themselves by holding on to tradition (Mark 7 v 9-13). They were too religious and never accepted Christ as the only way to salvation. The fact that a precedent has been set down for ages does not mean that it is right or that it is the right way. We must study God`s Word to obtain facts; (Acts 17 v 11)
Who can be deceived?
Everyone can be deceived if care is not taken, especially if one lacks the spirit of discernment. (1 Peter 1 v 13) encourages us to be watchful. There are however some who will continue to bedeceived.
Examples are;
1. One who is satisfied with his own spirituality. The I know it all, I pray too much, I can teach it all, I can do it all, I am the best at all and do not need more, kind of people. Truth is, we all must keep growing spiritually, mentally and psychologically; (1 Corinthians 10 v 12)
2. One who is overwhelmed with the world. Worldliness chokes out Godliness. When we miss Godly and quiet time with the Lord and crave worldly things, we are deceiving ourselves. Luke 8 v 14.
3. I am better than others mentality: The Pharisee who condemned the sinner and thought highly of himself,deceived himself. (Luke 18 v 8-14)
4. One Who believes that he is walking right when he is not; We must not become puffed up and be deceiving ourselves (Luke 17 v 7-10)
5. One who thinks he is holy and cannot sin or be tempted;1 John 1 v 8
6. A person that loves sin or overlooks it and permits anything whether holy or unholy. This kind of individual can be easily deceived and may also live in self- deceit.
How can we overcome deception?
1. By realizing that being deceived is a possibility and preparing ahead; don’t trust anyone because no one can be trusted. Those you trust can be deceived too. If you trust them, you will be led astray. Just because a close friend or relative believes something is great does not make it right.
2. Do not be deceived; Galatians 6 v7; It is our responsibility to avoid being deceived. We must therefore be watchful.
3. Examine yourself; do not live in self-denial or self-deceit. Check yourself and do not wreck yourself. (2 Corinthians 13 v 5)
4. Hate Falsehood; (Psalm 119 v 104 and 128); as believers, we must hate falsehood and search scriptures to test all things. We must study to show ourselves approved. (1 Thessalonians 2 v 13, 1 Thessalonians 5 v 21, 1 John 4 v 1, Acts 17 v 11)
5. Set your priorities right; The kingdom of God and His righteousness should be first. Build and secure your spiritual life; Matthew 6 v 33, Luke 9 v 23.
6. Pray Without ceasing; 1 Thessalonians 5 v17; The effective fervent prayer of the righteous man avails much.
7. Put on the whole armor of God: Ephesians 6 v 10-18.Satan schemes are deceptive but God has provided for us so that we can win the battles of life. If we want to win, we must put on the whole armor of God.
8. We must look into the perfect law of liberty and continue in it. We must not forget what we have heard but must do it. (James 1 v 25). We must remember the word, do the word and continue in the word. This is what changes our character and destroy self-delusion or deception. Like the mirror we glance at to see how we look, we must look into or dig into the word of God which will always show us the truth.
Examples of Deception in the Bible
1. Samson; Judges 16 v 20; Forgetting the Word of God is a form of self-deception
2. Goliath; The boasting of Goliath is another example. He hurled insults at God`s Army thinking that his strength and size will give him victory forgetting that challenging David meant challenging David`s God. (1 Samuel 17 v 41-51)
3. The parable of the rich fool; (Luke 12 v 19); the rich fool thought he`d arrived and could take life easy. Drink and be merry, but he died the same night. (Luke 12 v 20)
4. The Church of Laodicea: Revelation 3 v 17a is another example of self-deception. It was a lukewarm church that had convinced itself that they were right with God. If you are in a situation where you are saying I am rich, I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing, think again. This might be a hard message but there is no one anywhere who has it all.
5. Eve; In Genesis 3 v 1-6; Eve knew God`s commandment but chose to disobey God. Even though Eve was lied to, she chose to believe the lie.
Let`s look at some bible verses on Deception
1. Jeremiah 17 v 9; The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it.
2. Matthew 24 v 24; For false Christ and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
3. 2 Corinthians 11 v 13; For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
4. 2 Thessalonians 2 v 3; Let no one deceive you by any means.
5. 1 Peter 5 v 8; Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom to devour.
6. 2 Corinthians 11 v 3; But I fear, lest somehow as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
7. Colossians 2 v8; Beware, lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men according to the basic principles of the world and not according to Christ.
8. 1 Timothy 4 v1: Now the spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.
9. 2 Timothy 3 v 13; But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse deceiving and being deceived.
10. Ephesians 5 v 6; Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things, God`s wrath comes on the son`s of disobedience.
11. Matthew 7 v 15; Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep`s clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
12. Jeremiah 29 v 8; For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, let not your prophets and your diviners that be in the midst of you deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.
13. 1 Corinthians 3 v 18; Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
14. 1 Corinthians 10 v 12: Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
May the Lord equip up with the spirit of discernment so that we do not fall into the error of self-deceit or of being deceived, in Jesus Mighty Name!
Amen!
Shalom!