Are you being deceived? It’s a valid question to ask yourself. With so many voices and opinions wanting your attention, it can be challenging for anyone to sort truth from fiction.
In the last days the Bible tells us many will be deceived.
Are you one of them?
Throughout the Scriptures, we are warned against the dangers of deception- not only in the end times but our day-to-day lives.
If you think about it, guarding against deception in our every day lives is what ultimately prepares us to do so in the end times. It’s not something most of us think about every day, but we should give it attention, or it will sneak up on us and overtake us without our even knowing it.
The very definition of deception means that those who are deceived do not know they are deceived. So, it’s vital that we, as believers, are on guard against this trap from the enemy and diligently seek after the truth found in God’s Word.
Four Ways To Guard Against Deception To Keep You Strong, Free And Living In The Truth
1. Knowing The Definition Of Deception
One thing you need right off is this: anyone can be subject to deception. No one is immune.
In fact, thinking you can’t be deceived means you already are.
The first step to understanding what deception is, is to understand what it’s not.
When we do something wrong – and we know it’s wrong – that’s not deception. That’s making a poor choice. The only deception is that this idea will have no consequences to what we are doing.
True deception goes much deeper. It comes when you get swept away by the wrong idea, but you’ve become convinced that it is truth.
In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Timothy said, “For a time is coming when will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will for teacher who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
“Itching ears” are those that only want to be told whet they want to hear. They want the message of God restyled to fir the times and the flow of society. This leads to mixing truth and falsehood until the accurate picture of Christ and Christianity is no longer present.
That’s the definition of deception – being swept away into believing as truth what you didn’t believe previously. That’s what happened in the Garden of Eden.
The nature of deception is a work of fear that begins with questioning . Adam and Eve believed what God said about the tree of knowledge of good and evil until another voice came along and told them they should question that truth. Then, they started to lean away from the truth through their own questioning, Is that what He really said? Is He trying to keep something from us?
Instead of going back to the source, they let questioning lead them away. That’s deception.
2. Prepare Ahead Of Time
Knowing how easily we can be swept away into deception. Paul strongly warned us to “take heed” in 1 Timothy 4:16.
To take heed means to beware, perceive and consider carefully. This means we need to prepare ahead of time to judge those things that present themselves as truth. And we should be able to decent quickly and accurately, using the knowledge we have built up.
Guarding Against Deception Is Proactive
Don’t wait until something comes up to try and figure out if it is truth or deception. Be ready for it.
How do you get ready?
You spend regular time in the Word of God. And don’t let the input of society outweigh the input of God’s Word in your life. Your time praying and fellowshipping with the Lord is the greatest preparation for stand on a firm foundation in the last days.
When some new thought comes along – like homosexuality or gender identity – you won’t be swept away by the ever-changing norms. You’ll stand firm in the light of the truth you already know.
If you analyze something with your own thoughts and opinions, you are setting yourself up for deception. As a believer, we have our own measuring stick- another foundation on which ti base our perceptions.” That measuring stick is God’s Word.
There will be greater and greater challenges at the end of the age, and the Bible tells us that large numbers of people in the Body of Christ will be led astray (Luke 21:8). That warning is not meant to scare you, but to help you. When we prepare ahead of time to control the Devil’s tactics, we are guarding against deception.
3. Compare Everything To The Word Of God
Whatever an idea, philosophy or doctrine is presented, you never have to wonder it it’s true. All you have to do is compare everything to the Word of God, and you will have your answer – that’s how to guard against deception.
There are plenty of people out there who are willing and able to cause deceit – especially when it helps them to justify their wrong and sinful living. Causing deceit means pressuring Som to accept as truth or valid, something that is not true.
We see that a lot of it these days.
The Bible has a huge number or prophecy that has come true, if you look at history and compare what has happened in the world I think you’ll be amazed.
There are those who want to believe it is acceptable to the Lord when they choose to vote for people who go against God’s word. How can killing innocent children accountable to God? How is homosexuality acceptable to God? when He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for the exact same reasons. That’s deception!
Deception also disregards God’s law of sowing and reaping. To be deceived is to think you can plant apple seeds and harvest pears, to believe you can plant seeds of hate and reap life and love, or that you can plant seed of anger and reap peace.
Galatians 6:7 says “God will not be mocked, whatever a man sows, he will also reap. You can not sow one thing and get another.
I often look at the COVID deception. Many lies we were told – “We are all going to die,” “stay away from people you love,” “ get the vaccine and everything will be back to normal.” This virus that was no were than the flu that goes around every year. Spread fear and deception across the world. To deceive the people into doing what they are told to do by man.
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” For He will deliver you rom the snare of the Fowler, and from the deadly pestilence (diseases). He will cover you with His feathers. Under His wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day; nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand May fake at your right side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place. For He will put His angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, so that you won’t dash your foot against a stone. You will tread on the Lion and the serpent. You will trample the young Lion and the serpent underfoot. ‘Because He has set His live on me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set hon on high, because he has known my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him. I will satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation.
Psalm 91
When you compare everything to the Word of God, you will guard against deception.
4. Live By Faith
Finally to guard against deception, you’ve got to live by faith. That’s what will keep you out of deception.
There will always be challenges in the world. Even if you have faith, we must face them head on. One thing is different for believers in Christ. We know the truth. Don’t be deceived into thinking that anything less than victory I’d God’s will for you.
The world will tell you to expect defeat, failure, sickness, disease, broken relationships, and financial trouble. But if you walk by faith and believe the greatest book of prophecy ever written (The Bible). You will be guarded from deception.
From Pity to Praise 