Be Not Deceived

Attitude, Bible, Christian Living, Church, Obedience

BE NOT DECEIVED

By:  Randy Kea

 

Jesus said, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Matthew 24:4)  In Matthew 7:15 the Lord warned, “Beware of false prophets.”  He further instructed His disciples, “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” (Matthew 15:13)

The apostle Paul would later write about those who would by their smooth words and flattering speech, “deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Romans 16:18).  John also warned that “many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (I John 4:1)

The Bible speaks and warns of “false Christs” (Matthew 24:24), “false apostles” (II Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2), “false prophets” (Matthew 24:11), and “false teachers” (II Peter 2:1).  The scriptures also warn us of those who “pervert the gospel” (Galatians 1:7), “corrupt the word of God” (II Corinthians 2:17), “handle the word of God deceitfully” (II Corinthians 4:2), “arise, speaking perverse things” (Acts 20?30), and “wrest (twist) the scriptures unto their own destruction” (II Peter 3:16).

Here are some Bible examples of deception:

  1. Jacob deceived Isaac (Genesis 27)
  2. Eve was deceived by the tempter (Genesis 3:1-7; II Corinthians 11:3)
  3. Laban deceived Jacob (Genesis 29)
  4. The old prophet lied to the unnamed prophet (I Kings 13)
  5. Joseph’s brethren deceived their father (Genesis 37)
  6. We can deceive ourselves (I John 1:8; I Corinthians 3:18; James 1:26; Galatians 6:7; I Corinthians 6:9)
  7. We can be deceived by others (Romans 16:17-18; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Matthew 24:4, 5, 11, 24)

In light of the above warnings and examples, we should strive to “know the truth” (John 8:32), “love” the truth (Ephesians 4:15), “obey the truth” (I Peter 1:22), and “walk in the truth” (II John 4).

Remember, truth and salvation in the Bible are inseparable.  “Who will have all  men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:4)

 

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