When the disciples asked Jesus what would be the sign of His coming (return), the first sign He listed was deception. Then He went a step further in defining the deception. "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." The first sign would be spiritual deception.
Aren't we seeing this already? Spiritual deception is abounding throughout the world and even in the church. It comes through the teaching that many and all ways lead to God. It is all right to believe what you want to believe as long as you are not hurting anyone. Just be good and that is good enough. Good works, or even having good intentions, will save you. There is no heaven and there is no hell, it is all a state of mind. Humanism, philosophy, enlightenment, education, reincarnation, etc. These are only a few of the teachings that are being propagated.
Spiritual deception was the first weapon the devil used on mankind and it will be one of the last. Therefore, we must heed the warning of Jesus that we not be deceived. If it were possible even the very elect would be deceived. How do we keep from being deceived?
In order to keep from being deceived, be like the wise man who built his house upon the rock. Jesus is often called the Rock. Build your life upon Him. He told Peter that upon this rock He would build His church. That rock was the revelation of who Jesus is-- the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Know what you believe about Him, hold firm to the truth about who Jesus is and don't be persuaded otherwise. Know His Word. Don't believe everything you hear, or see, no matter who it comes through, but try the spirits. Search the scriptures for yourself. Don't depend on someone else to tell you what they say. Stay close to the Holy Spirit-- He is the revealer of truth, and will warn you when deception comes.
If you will know Jesus, know the truth about who He is, know His word, stay rooted and grounded in it, listen to the voice of His Spirit, then you will stand when the floods of deception, error and false doctrine come. If you don't, you will be like the foolish man and you will be swept away by the flood of false religious deception.
Have a great day. The best way to keep from being deceived is by knowing the truth.
For further reading:
Genesis 3:1,5
Mark 13:22
Matthew 7:24-27; 16:18
1 John 4:1
John 5:39
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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
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