You live in a world of deception. In their deception they refuse to know me. This is the Lord’s declaration. Jeremiah 9:6 (CSB)
God’s words through Jeremiah ring true today. Ours is a world of deception. If we are reading a mystery novel or watching a magic act, deception can be entertaining. But it can also be deadly. Previously, we read:
“Beware of your neighbor! Don’t even trust your brother! For brother takes advantage of brother, and friend slanders friend. They all fool and defraud each other; no one tells the truth. With practiced tongues they tell lies; they wear themselves out with all their sinning. They pile lie upon lie and utterly refuse to acknowledge me,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 9:4–6 (NLT)
Why is deception so prevalent? Jesus put it this way: This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. John 3:19 (CSB). Deception operates in the darkness and shadows, yet it is most effective when pretending to be light. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 (NLT)
Deception is most effective when we are not alert, and not living in the light. God’s word is a light for our pathway. Deception is inevitable when we stop listening to God: They tell the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” They tell the prophets, “Don’t tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies. Isaiah 30:10 (NLT). We need a few reminders if we want to avoid being deceived. Let us look at the sources of deception.
Our Own Worst Enemy
For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Galatians 6:3 (CSB)
How often do we fall into the trap of overestimating our importance, or thinking that we know enough on our own that we no longer need to hear from God? Arrogance and pride will be our downfall. If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8 (CSB)
When we do not accurately assess our position, we leave ourselves vulnerable to deception. Under-evaluating our worth is just as damaging as thinking we are better than we are in reality. While pride may come from over-evaluating our standing, under-evaluating who we are in Christ causes despair and hopelessness. So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12 (CSB). But also remembering that we are new creations in Christ Jesus.
Satan does not care how he deceives us. The ditch on one side of the road is just as bad as the ditch on the other side of the road. Our safest position is to become a “fool” for Christ. Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool so that he can become wise. 1 Corinthians 3:18 (CSB)
The Father of Lies
He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 (NLT)
How would you react to the thought that Satan has only a few tools to work with, and deception is his most useful? Satan’s roar is loud, but Christ defeated him on the cross (1 Peter 5:8). Paul reminds us: He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:15 (NLT)
Do not make a mistake. Deception is still effective. If Satan can persuade us that we are defeated, then we are defeated. If anyone believes there is no hope, affectively, they have no hope. Out of deception, flows discouragement, fear, lack of value and worth, and everything else that takes our eyes off Jesus and his provision for us.
As the father of lies, Satan spawns deceitful offspring. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. Matthew 24:5 (CSB) No one is immune from attack. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. Matthew 24:5 (CSB)
There are things that we can do to remain discerning and avoid deception, but Jesus summed it up: And you must watch! I have told you everything in advance. Mark 13:23 (CSB). We cannot afford the risk of falling asleep or becoming complacent. We must remain watchful.
Be Watchful
Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves so that you don’t lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward. 2 John 7–8 (CSB)
A major dilemma that we must confront is this; how do we know when we are being deceived? And what can we do to avoid deception in our lives?
This may be hard to accept, but deception can work on us when there is a part of us that wants to be deceived. If we are looking for shortcut, a way that does not involve “taking up our cross daily.” Or it might be an appeal to riches and prosperity. Remember, this is not a new tactic:
Your prophets saw visions for you that were empty and deceptive; they did not reveal your iniquity and so restore your fortunes. They saw pronouncements for you that were empty and misleading. Lamentations 2:14 (CSB)
John urges us to “watch yourselves.” This is same warning that Jesus gave His disciples: Jesus replied to them, “Watch out that no one deceives you. Matthew 24:4 (CSB). Paul sums it up for us: After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we’re not oblivious to his sly ways! 2 Corinthians 2:11 (MSG). Don’t be deceived!
Steve Ekeroth