GUARD YOUR HEART AGAINST DECEPTION

“And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you.”—Matthew 24:4

It seems to me that deception has becoming more noticeable during recent years.  I think that most people are appalled at the blatant lies, and cover-ups that huge institutions and governments have been involved in recent times.  There has always been corruption in the different aspects of society i.e., politics, government, banking, and even those who call themselves ministers of the gospel. 

Webster’s dictionary has a clear definition of deception, “accepting as true or valid what is false or invalid.”   We could put it like this; the one who deceives others convinces them to accept as truth, what is false.  The Bible has a lot to say and warnings about deceit, deception, deceivers, and being deceived either by self, or by others.

Scripture warns against deceptive teachers in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 10.  Paul writes a detailed warning to the Corinthians saying, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15).   

 

The true apostles invited scrutiny.  Paul commends the Bereans who “were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so”(Acts 17:11).  When someone is “not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully” (2 Corinthians 4:2), then they are not afraid of careful inspection. 

The Scripture advises of the risk of self-deception saying, “Let no one deceive himself, if anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise” (1 Corinthians 3:18).  The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 6:7-8, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”    Frankly, we may deceive ourselves and others, but we cannot deceive God.

 

We must take personal responsibility to see that we are not deceived.  “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 5:6).  Paul wrote to Timothy saying that the time will come will people will leave the faith (the true teachings and doctrines of Christ), and they will listen to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies and making false claims and pretenses, having their own conscience  marked with a hot iron (1 Timothy 4:1-2). 

 

To guard your heart from deception you must seek the truth (seek the Word of God), love the truth, obey the truth, and abide in the truth.  “…If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). When you do these things you will easily be able to know (to spot) any thought or idea that is contrary to what you know of the truth.

Prayer—Father I thank you that I will guard my heart with all diligence and with Your help I will not be deceived.  And Father, if I have been deceived in any area, I ask you to shine the light of Your Holy Spirit on it.  I repent of any deception and ask you to wipe away any consequence of the deception, in Jesus Name. Amen.