A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. Proverbs 15:14 (CSB)
Some days, the limits of incredulity are stretched so far that it makes one wonder if everything is on the verge of collapsing. This week, the Supreme Court is hearing a case on “transgender” athletes in high school sports. And a US Senator could not get a medical doctor to say yes or no to the question, “Can a man get pregnant?”
If this was not disheartening enough, the deception madness has infected the church as well. There is a mega-church pastor who tells his people that he sees nothing wrong with premarital sex. A leading author and speaker who hid an extramarital affair for eight years. People who should know better falling for the deceitfulness of sin.
The first thing that we must acknowledge when we talk about deception and discernment is that someone who is deceived doesn’t know that they are deceived. We also recognize that some people are not deceived, but nevertheless they do not recognize or respond to the truth.
If we presume that we do not want to be deceived, what steps can we take to ensure that we can cut through the noise and deception and live in truth? Conversely, there is a danger in becoming overly cynical, rejecting everything out of hand. Deception is at the heart of the very beginning of the human story in the garden of Eden. And Jesus told us that deception would be a hallmark of the last days. Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13 (CSB)
Don’t Be Deceived
Jesus told them, “Watch out that no one deceives you.” Mark 13:5 (CSB)
No one is naturally immune from deception. Innocence did not prevent Eve from being deceived in the garden of Eden. “Knowing better” does not keep us safe. No one is exempt from the lure of deception. Abraham Lincoln said and later P.T. Barnum echoed: “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”
The techniques and methods of deception are varied. We may not all fall for the same lie, but that does not mean that we are untouchable. We see people so consumed with hatred for someone that they can no longer recognize truth. Their opponent says that the sky is blue, so they will argue that the sky is any color but blue. Hatred and anger open us up to be deceived.
Next, we have the temptation of desirability. The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3:6 (CSB)
Desirable things can cause us to overlook the truth and follow our desires. Another truth is that those who are deceived want to include others in their deception. We often believe that if others join us, our disobedience feels justified.
Discerning the Truth
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (CSB)
Deception is most effective in the shadows and in the darkness. John reminds us: If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 (CSB). When a Christ-follower succumbs to temptation, a close examination will reveal a gradual withdrawal from walking in the light.
The trap of deception begins subtly. At first, it is hardly perceptible to us or others. We cover up and put a mask on. We know the routine so well that we can go through the motions, and at first hardly anything looks different. The writer of Hebrews gives us this warning: For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. Hebrews 2:1 (CSB)
Deception does not start with the repudiation of the truth, but a drifting away from truth. Drifting will then progress to neglect and we are warned: how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him. Hebrews 2:3 (CSB)
The successful Christian life is never passive and doesn’t accept things at face value. The Bereans searched the Scriptures to ensure that the great apostle Paul was giving them the truth. The discerning heart keeps pushing forward: The spiritually hungry are always ready to learn more, for their hearts are eager to discover new truths. Proverbs 18:15 (TPT). Keep pressing on and walk in light and truth.
Walk in Truth
For I was very glad him when fellow believers came and testified to your fidelity to the truth—how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth. 3 John 3–4 (CSB)
Discernment is an effective antidote to deception. Just as medicine works only when used correctly, discernment must be actively applied, not ignored. John was writing to believers, who not only knew the truth, but they lived the truth.
The challenge for God’s people today is to keep pressing on toward the truth and light, even while we live in a world that rejects the truth of God’s word. It may seem as though we are swimming against the tide, and we conclude with a reminder from the Psalms: Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. Psalm 86:11 (NLT). Lord, we pray that we will have discerning hearts so that we will not be lured away by the deception of this present age. Amen!
Steve Ekeroth