Are You Being Deceived?

Luke 21:8 “And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.”

Are you being deceived? This is a valid question you should ask yourself. With so many voices, ideas, and opinions competing for our attention, it can be demanding for anyone to sort truth from fiction. In the last days, the Bible tells us many will be deceived (1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:3-4). Are you one of them? Throughout the Scriptures, we are warned against the dangers of deception, not only in the end times but also in our day-to-day living. The most potent tool of the enemy is deception. The very definition of deception means that those who are deceived do not know or believe they are deceived. So, it is very important that we, as believers, are on guard against this trap from the enemy and diligently seek after the truth found only in God’s Word. Truth makes us free from deception. One thing you need to know right off is this: anyone can be subject to deception (Matthew 24:24) No one is immune. In fact, thinking you cannot be deceived means you are already deceived. Knowing how easy it is to be swept away into deception, Paul strongly warned us to “take heed” in 1 Timothy 4:16. Do not wait until something comes up before you try to figure out if it is truth or deception. Be ready for it. Spend quality time in the Word of God. Scrutinize every idea, thought, opinion, and doctrine, with the standard of God’s Word. When you compare everything to the Word of God, you will guard against deception. Finally, to guard against deception, you have got to live by faith. That is what will keep you out of deception. There will always be challenges in this world. Even we, as believers in Christ, will face the challenges. But one thing is different for us. We know the truth, and the truth we know shall make us free (John 8:32).