Be not Deceived.

And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 

Matthew 24:11

Deceive – to ensnare, to make a person believe what is not true; delude; mislead; to false to betray; misrepresentation of facts by words, actions; to mislead is to cause to follow the wrong course or to err in conduct or action, use of wiles and enticing words to deceive or mislead.

 Deception is believing a lie. It’s being blind sided with false information. It keeps you from walking in the fullness of the light and the will of God. It is a major weapon of Satan.

In the book of Mark, Christ talks about the coming deception. We’re warned that even the elect might be deceived. 

This will happen when “false messiahs and false prophets … appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” 

Mark 13:22

Scripture tells us to “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:8

Although that is a fearful thing, God has given us the key to avoid being deceived, it’s the very Word of God!

The Word of God is the only foundation that we should anchor ourselves to. Period!

“So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time,” -Jesus

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Hebrews 4:12&13

We are not exempt from this deception.

If Satan deceived one third of the angels to follow him. And he deceived Eve in a perfect environment, then there’s Judas who was deceived to betray the Son of the living God, what would keep you from being so easily deceived? 

I’ve recently seen people deceived by their theology. The truth they once believed about Christ, has now changed. It was presented as Christ with just a sprinkle of deception, thus making is sound as truth and not easy to detect. 

But, no matter how it sounds, if it’s not about Jesus Christ and he alone crucified, it’s worthless! 

Mark 4:23-24 says;

Take heed to what you hear. With the value you put on what you hear, it will be measured back to you and you will grow in your hearing

I’ve asked and sought God this question before. Why are so many believers on opposite sides of the fence, how can it be? If we have the same God and the same spirit abiding in us, why the division, especially since opinions are very differing at times? 

Then the Lord showed me this as I sought him so diligently on this question. 

“You can only be deceived if you habitually NEGLECT the word of God!” 

“The heart cannot love what the mind does not know.”

God reveals Himself in Scripture, so we start by plunging ourselves into His Word, which is Truth, and then by seeking the stillness of His presence.

That hit me right on the target of my heart. It broke my heart.

You see, in essence, it’s because although you have two people who are believers and they know the same Lord, their walks are different. 

You have to know the Lord, you must be in constant contact with him… daily. If you’re only seeking to talk to God when you’re in trouble, then you’re already in trouble. 

The result of our choice to resist or ignore God result in a spiritual death (separation from God…possibly for eternity.)

And why would we want that, when we have the best waiting for us.  It’s ours to have, it’s free but you must do the work. 

Seek God and know him well because if you know his face and you seek it and you memorize it, when the deceptive spirit shows up, you’ll know it’s a counterfeit. 

How do we spot a counterfeit deceptive teaching? We must first get to know the real deal very well.. (God), then we can spot him (Satan the conniving, deceiving, manipulating, God hating, lying, hell bound, father of all lies) a mile away. 

You see, they may present this nonsense, thinking because they’re well educated or well versed we must believe it and they probably believe it too. But their perception and details are inaccurate.

When you hear anyone talking about nonsense that is not found in scripture or it’s twisted to fit their sin and agenda…RUN! There’s danger ahead.

My prayer for you today is that you would seek the face of God so that you won’t be so easily taken, when deception shows up!

Many blessings, 

Connie