* Don't Be Deceived

For many deceivers are entered into the world, 

who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. 

This is a deceiver and an antichrist.   

2 John 1:7 

It is nothing worse than not knowing what you don’t know!  Thankfully, our Heavenly Father has equipped us with all that we need through His word; the bible, and through the gift of His Holy Spirit: 

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.    John 14:26

Some are confused about this scripture and still others use it in an effort to promote false ideologies.  Apostle Paul tells us faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of God.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.   Romans 10:17

The comforter cannot bring something into remembrance  that is not there.  God set men in place whereby we are to be aided in learning Him:

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;   Ephesians 4:11

Their role within the body of Christ is clearly explained:

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;   Ephesians 4:12-14

Apostle Paul explained to the church at Corinth that the things written in the old testament were written as an example to us:

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.   1 Corinthians 10:6
Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.   1 Corinthians 10:11

Not reading and studying all of the word of God leads to failure.  Apostle Paul goes on to say,

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  1 Corinthians 10:12

As an imitator of the power of God, Satan seeks to deceive in the world today.  

To “deceive" is to mislead or cause someone to believe something that is not true.  Being deceived causes us to have a false perception of God, His word and His intent.  

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.   2 Corinthians 4:4

Apostle Paul tells us to stand against the deceits of the enemy:  

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  Ephesians 6:11

We are warned in many scriptures of the deceiving nature of Satan:

Revelation 20:8-10	Satan deceives not only individuals but nations
II Thessalonians 2:10	Satan works with "all deceivableness of unrighteousness
II Timothy 3:13	We are warned that deception will increase
Matthew 24; Mark 13; II Thessalonians 2:3	Because deception will increase, we are instructed to be aware of the events indicating Christ’s return:
II Corinthians 11:13; Titus 1:10; II Peter 2:13; II John 7	We are warned about those used by Satan to deceive
Jeremiah 17:9	Man's heart is deceptive
Hebrews 3:13	Every unsaved man is deceived
Romans 16:18; II Corinthians 4:2	Do not accept deceptive "fair speeches" which do not agree with God's Word

Being a child of God not only means living a lifestyle that is pleasing to God, i.e., not doing those things that are clearly outlined in the bible as sin, iniquity or even things that society considers to be morally incorrect, we also have to be knowledgeable of the schemes and plots of Satan to pull us away from God and which causes us to lose our focus.  

When Satan can’t get us through outright sin, he will come at us through other methods.  

You are deceived if you:

Colossians 2:8	listen to vain philosophies
Mark 4:19; Ephesians 4:22	trust in riches and permit the lusts of the flesh
James 1:22	are a hearer and not a doer of the Word of God
1 John 1:8	say you have no sin
2 Timothy 3:13	listen to evil men
Galatians 6:3	think you are important when actually you are nothing
Galatians 6:7	think you will not reap what you sow
1 Corinthians 6:9	think the unrighteous will inherit the Kingdom of God
1 Corinthians 3:18	think you are wise because you have the wisdom of this world
James 1:26	think you are spiritual but an unconquered tongue reveals your true condition
2 John 7	do not believe Jesus Christ came in the flesh
1 Corinthians 15:33	think contact with sin will have no effect on you

Among other scriptures in the bible, the book of Jude is an excellent source of the deceiving methods of Satan.  Jude gives us great hope and encouragement that when we focus on God:

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.   Jude 24-25

(Biblical Studies)




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