As the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ approaches we are seeing the rise of many false teachers and false doctrines, wolves in sheep’s clothing, who are leading many astray from the truth of the scriptures. Satan knows that his time is short brethren, therefore we are seeing an overwhelming surge of deception aimed directly at the church. As believers in Christ, it is crucial that we hold fast to the truth given to us in the scriptures, allowing no room for the deceitfulness of false teachings. We not only need to keep ourselves from this present danger brethren likewise, exhort one another to remain in sound doctrine.

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13

Deception At The Church Of Thessalonica

In 2 Thessalonians in sections of Paul’s letter to the church of Thessalonica, he was writing in response to the confusion and deception the believers in Thessalonica were falling victim to. False teachers were forging letters, as if they were written by Paul, creating confusion and discouragement in the body of Christ, that the coming of the Lord had already taken place.  

Paul takes much care in this letter to clarify though imminent, the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ had not yet taken place. In doing this Paul painted a very useful picture for us today.

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-4

 Paul Warns of End Times Deception

Paul was admonishing the believers in the church of Thessalonica with a detailed description of the events that must take place before Christ’s return, like the revealing of the Antichrist and the Great Apostasy (falling away).

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

 If you notice it says the coming of the lawless one includes power, signs, lying wonders, and with ALL unrighteous deception. Deception among who? Those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

When we read that section of scripture we immediately think about unbelievers, those who do not believe in Christ as being among those who perish. I also want you to recognize that this includes “Christians” who have fallen away or rebelled against the true teachings of the scripture by means of false teachings, seducing spirits, and deceptions.

The Great Falling Away

Unfortunately, we see this all the time, an individual starts out walking with the Lord, yet for various reasons they do not endure. Loving sin more than the truth, following after false teachers, and being carnally minded and of the world just to name a few. This individual begins to stray away from sound doctrine. Causing them to refuse the truth of God’s word, whilst coming into agreement with false teachers and incorrect interpretations of scripture. Why? Because people want something that will tickle their ears. People want a form of religiousness that will allow them to remain in sin, selfishness, worldliness, and the desires of the flesh. It’s easier to believe a lie, especially when the flesh lusteth for it. People want assurance of salvation and Heaven, yet they do not want to accept the requirements God has laid out in His word. These people fall away and rebel against the truth. We know that the Bible tells us Many are called but few are chosen in Matthew 22:14.

As the verse states, And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12

Let’s review, anyone who does not have a love for the truth (biblically sound doctrine) who did not believe the truth, but rather had pleasure in unrighteousness (sin) will be given over to a strong delusion, to believe the lie/lies of the Antichrist.

We see this again throughout Romans chapter 1. Paul restates that whoever did not choose to retain the truth of God in their mind, but, rather chose to believe a lie instead. God gives them over to the lie/lies they chose to believe. God hands them over to the lusts of their flesh, and in due time their mind becomes reprobate.

For God does not overlook sin and] the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who in their wickedness suppress and stifle the truth. Romans 1:18 AMP

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or consider Him worth knowing [as their Creator], God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do things which are improper and repulsive, 29 until they were filled (permeated, saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice and mean-spiritedness. They are gossips [spreading rumors], 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors [of new forms] of evil, disobedient and disrespectful to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful [without pity].. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree and His judgment, that those who do such things deserve death, yet they not only do them, but they even [enthusiastically] approve and tolerate others who practice them. Romans 1:28-32 AMP

Sin Makes You Vulnerable To Deception

This is serious brethren, the Bible warns about the dangers of willful habitual sin and coming under deception whether by false teachings, seducing spirits, or lawlessness (sin). Need I remind you, sin decreases spiritual discernment? When a person falls under the workings of seducing spirits and doctrines of devils most often times they don’t even realize they are actively being deceived. Is that not the very purpose and point of deception?

Think about that for a moment. How utterly terrifying to consider yourself to be standing in “the truth”, secured of your salvation, believing you are in right standing with The God of Creation when you are actually under an incredibly powerful working of deception that has brought you away from the truth, therefore away from God who is Truth.

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17

Meaning of Deception

Here is the definition of deception to help us better understand what it consists of.

Deception is the act or practice of deceiving—lying, misleading, or otherwise hiding or distorting the truth. 

Did you catch that? Hiding or distorting the truth. That’s what makes it so diabolical. It doesn’t have to be outlandish false teachings to lead someone astray. It could be as simple as distorting the truth just enough, that it is no longer the truth.

Another definition states;

Deception doesn’t just involve lying. It can consist of misrepresenting or omitting the truth or more complicated cover-ups. Anything that involves intentionally misleading someone is deception. 

It doesn’t have to involve flat-out lies in order to be a deception. Anything that misrepresents the truth or omits parts of it, is in fact a deception.

I can think off the top of my head of many teachings in churches today that attempt to omit what the Bible clearly teaches when it comes to sin and salvation. Just as many churches have misrepresented Jesus Christ, watering down His righteousness judgments, His Lordship, and holiness. Remember Satan wants to keep people from the truth that is established within the scriptures, because it is, after all, the truth determined by God in His word that will set us free.

 Warning: Do Not Be Deceived

This is why believers are repeatedly warned in the Bible to not be deceived. It is a matter of eternal life or death.

1 John 4:1 ESV Beloved, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Romans 16:17-18 ESV I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Colossians 2:8 ESV See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Galatians 6:7-9 ESV Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.

Ephesians 5:6 ESV Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

These were just a handful of verses but in no way an exhaustive list of the many warnings on deception found in the New Testament alone.

You Must Love The Truth

Beloved, if you let other people or your own heart and mind decide what the truth does or does not mean you have already been deceived.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered Proverbs 28:26

We have to have a love for the truth, a love for God’s word. When you read the Bible you should go into it having already decided within yourself what is within this book is God’s truth. God is the one who decrees what we should not allow into our lives. He is the one who determines through His word, how a person is to obtain salvation. His word is the measuring stick which we measure ourselves against.

The Father Of Lies

Satan and all the wicked spirits working under him have one goal when it comes to Christians, and that is to deceive them. Never consider yourself so wise that you become a fool. If Satan tried to deceive Jesus in the wilderness would he also not try to deceive you as well? Just as it was Satan who deceived Adam and Eve into losing their first estate in the Garden of Eden, would he not also want to keep you from salvation?

Remember, Satan loves to distort and pervert the truth and our reality. His demons are no different, they are extremely cunning and will work diligently to make a lost person believe they are saved. Meanwhile, persecuting and accusing a saved person to feel as though they are lost. Satan is referred to as The Father of Lies for this very reason. As believers, we have to actively fight for the truth in either case. I can promise you, the truth is worth fighting for. 

The Detrimental Results Of Believing A Lie

If we choose to follow a lie, a misrepresented or distorted truth we are given the free will to do so. But as I stated before, people who are under the spell of deception often don’t even believe they are being deceived. So then what? Is there any way to come out from under it? Yes, God in His willingness that no one should perish will stretch out His hand of grace. One way He will do this is by sending someone to rebuke and reprove the person under deception. Someone willing to exhort them with the truth of the scriptures to lead them back to the sheepfold. However, I have noticed when deception is working amongst someone there is often pride and spiritual blindness. Where pride is found there is also an unteachable spirit leaving them arrogant and ignorant, wise in their own eyes. Their spiritual condition may very well cause them to resist the extended hand of grace to their own demise.

Humility is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and scripture tells us that God gives grace to the humble, but He resists the proud James 4:6. Eventually, if a deceived person continues to resist the Holy Spirit of God, God will give them over to believe the lie as we see in 2 Thessalonians, And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12.

Yes, you read that right, it is God who gives them over to a strong delusion, not Satan. God says, okay you don’t want the truth, you want to remain in these deceptions and resist My Spirit and anyone I send to rebuke and reprove you. You refuse to be taught by My Holy Spirit, rather turning to fallen man to teach your itching ears because you are too lazy to study my word for yourself. I shall give you what you want. God at this point allows the lying spirits of deception; Jezebel, Kundalini, Antichrist, (or whichever spirit is involved in whatever lie you continue to believe) to have full influence over you. You lose all ability to discern, therefore losing His covering of protection from lying spirits. The love of the truth, the love for His word is your protection against all lying spirits and spiritual warfare. Remember, the Word is our sword.

HIS Word Is True

When a believer receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit they will receive a love for the truth. This love for the truth is a love for the word of God. This is sustained by daily reading of God’s word and a lifestyle of active repentance. We are commanded to repent, study the scriptures, and not be deceived.

Don’t be foolish, taking in too many interpretations and opinions on scripture especially if you are a new believer, can be extremely dangerous. Before you even realize it, you’ve taken in so much, you actually begin to deviate from sound doctrine altogether, and into your own idea or interpretation of the truth rather than the authentic truth as God declares it. You begin to create your own gospel, as you pick and choose what verses you deem worthy of obeying. Now you have successfully created your own christ, meanwhile, you are left completely unaware that you have fallen into such dangerous territory.

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. Matthew 7:21-23 AMP.

We know the Bible says that there is but ONE way to the Father and ONE way to salvation and that is the Jesus Christ of the Bible, who is THE WORD MADE FLESH.