Be on your Guard against Deception

‘The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons’ (1 Tim 4:1).

Deception is one of Satan’s strongest arsenals against God’s creation. As Lucifer he succeeded in deceiving one-third of the angelic host to rebel against God and together with them they all fell from glory and were cast out of heaven unto the earth. After God created Adam and Eve He placed them in the garden and gave them authority to rule over all His creation, and to eat of all the trees in the Garden of Eden except the tree that is in the middle of the garden. His command to them was that, ‘you must not touch it, or you will die.’

‘But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die" (Genesis 3:4). He succeeded in deceiving Adam and Eve; they disobeyed God and fell from the glory of God. The devil’s schemes have not changed and today he is still deceiving many into destruction and eternal damnation, his words to them are, ‘you will not surely die’. But clearly God says ‘the wages of sin is death (eternal separation from God), but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).

‘Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God’ (2 Corinthians 4:4). Here Paul is clearly teaching that the devil is using deception to prevent people from being saved through Christ. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the gospel for people to be delivered from the devils deception. Satan promises peace, joy and fulfillment in life, that he cannot offer. Indeed Jesus is the prince of peace and He alone offers real fulfillment in life.

Even in the Church the devil tries to deceive the children of God through wrong doctrines, so Paul told Timothy that, ‘the Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons’ (1 Tim 4:1). Today there are some who have abandoned their faith in God because of deception in the church through wrong doctrines. The spirit of deception that entered into the fallen angels, are still at work today. The Bible also warns Christian about false teachers and false prophets that deceive many into destruction. In talking about false apostles Paul said ‘they are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve’ (2 Cor 11:13).

The only way you can safe guard yourself is to personally be a student of God’s word, so that you will not be tossed to and fro by every deceptive doctrine (Eph 4:14). Jesus warns the church to be careful about false ministers. He says, ‘by their fruit you will recognize them. ‘Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? (Mat 7:16). Usually the spirit at work in ministers is revealed in their character.

Sampson the great warrior was reduced to nothing through the deception of Delilah. Today many great warriors are being destroyed through deception. Be on your guard against deception, for Jesus said that ‘false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Mat 24:24).