LIVING FREE FROM DECEPTION : PASTOR TONY SAMUELS
Later, when they arrived at the Mount of Olives, his disciples came privately to where he was sitting and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what supernatural sign should we expect to signal your coming and the completion of this age?” Jesus answered, “At that time deception will run rampant. So beware that you are not fooled! For many will appear on the scene claiming my authority or saying about themselves, ‘I am God’s Anointed,’ and they will lead many astray. - Mathew 24:3-5 TPT
The disciples were asking Jesus for sign that would signal the end of this age, and the first thing He revealed would run rampant was mass deception. But He wasn’t just making them aware of it; He shared that sign so we could guard ourselves against it. It seems out of all the things that He signaled would come, the only one believers have to be concerned about is deception. He told them to beware of it. Notice, He said many will be deceived…that means a lot of people. Deception/Decieve means: To mislead; to cause to believe what is false, or disbelieve what is true; to impose upon; to mislead; to cheat; to disappoint; to delude; to ensnare.
Jesus even went on to say that deception would be perpetrated by people who call themselves anointed and prophets. They would actually assist in the mass deception. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 (AMP) says, But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, [misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning]
The Bible says that because of deception, some will turn away from the faith, meaning they will turn away from the conviction of the Truth. Conviction is when one truly believes in something, to the point where you are willing to die for it. Through deception, the enemy wants to water down the church’s conviction. Without conviction, we are weak and we cave in to opposition; we become politically correct and begin to blend in with society. We become irrelevant and lose lose our influence. When I came to Jesus, I didn’t come to Him because He looked like the world. I came to Him because He was different from the world, and I was looking for something different!
Jesus then warns us against paying attention to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons. Be careful who and what you pay attention to during these times! Some of these deceivers talk so smoothly; they’re intelligent and articulate, and as you listen to them you don’t even realize you are being led away from truth into deception! Colossians 2:8 (AMP) says, See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception [pseudo-intellectual babble], according to the tradition [and musings] of mere men, following the elementary principles of this world, rather than following [the truth—the teachings of] Christ.
Sometimes we are being “wowed” by someone because they are articulate, at the same time being taken captive into foolishness. It doesn’t matter who it is, how big their church is, or how many views they have on YouTube. If it is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, if it’s not Bible-convicting Truth reconciling people back to Jesus…don’t waste your time. Especially if that person didn’t stand up for the Church of Jesus Christ, and now they only stand up because it’s politically correct.
Beware of mass deception. Get back to relationship with God. Turn off the news; turn off YouTube. Let the emotions settle down, and hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. John 16:13 says, Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. Truth is the guard against deception. The Truth of the Word of God, and the Truth that comes from the Spirit of God. Church, spend time basking in His presence, and you will be free from all deception.
I love you Church, and God loves you. We are a part of the remnant Church of Jesus Christ!
