Recognizing Deception

There are some basic truths that many people either seem to ignore or they do not think that some how they apply to them.  I am speaking as a believer of Jesus Christ who accepts the Bible as God's revealed Word for us to know what we should believe and how we ought to act.  The one truth that I would like to briefly look at this morning is that of deception.  First, let's define deception: it is basically a false concept or false idea that poses itself as the truth.  Deception by nature is relational in that one person is communicating in one way or another a false idea that they are trying to get another person to believe as the truth.  Second, the person that maybe deceiving another person may or may not know there is deception involved.  Some people who have been deceived actually believe what they are saying is the truth.  Here now is something everyone needs to know.  It does not matter how much I believe something to be true if the thing I think is false or an untruth then there is knowing I can do to make it to be true.  An example of spiritual deception: there are many ways to heaven.  As a Christian who believes the Bible to be the Word of God, I believe Jesus is the only way to heaven because that is what the Bible teaches in many areas, John 14:6 & Acts 4:12.  No amount of wanting or believing there ought to be other ways to heaven will change the truth that God set forth by which man must live.  Third, as a finite being, human, I am in no place to change the rules set forth by the Creator of the heavens an earth and all that is in them. 
This brings me to the main point of this blog today.  How can I recognize deception when it comes my way?  Here are the three big things to keep in mind.  One, deception will come.  It is not a matter of if deception will arise but only a matter of when and in what area of life.  This means then I must be on constant alert that the enemy of my soul is going to try to get me to believe a lie rather then the truth.  This was the tactic the serpent used upon Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden and remains one of his most effective tactic in his war against us.  We must be on guard at all times and when we are it will become easier to discern deception when it comes.  Two, it is important to pray and read your Bible everyday.  If I want to have greater discerning abilities then I must constantly develop my relationship with God.  Through prayer and the study of His Word God will grant to us the spiritual eyes and ears we need to hear the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit will give us red flags to deception and when I am in right relationship with Jesus those red flags become easier to see.  Three, understanding the dynamic of spiritual truth.  Truth is not always pleasing to hear and that is why the apostle Paul stated that a "time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."  II Timothy 4:3  That time is clearly upon us.  Some people leave a church for another one just because they do not like what they are hearing.  The question ought to be: is the truth being preaching, is Jesus being uplifted and is my life being changed into the image of Christ.  I will not be able to recognize deception if I only want to hear what suits my present thought pattern.  As the author of Hebrews admits "It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."  The context clearly is saying that it is dreadful because I cannot remain as I am but I must change to get in alignment with the living God and not the other way around. 
May God enlighten the eyes of your heart that you might know Christ and His ways.  That you will follow the truth of His word and stand against deception when it comes.

Pastor John