Religious Deception

Dan Corner

Religious deception is widespread, but basically unrecognized. When a person is deceived he is misled by false appearance or statement. Such a person thinks things are one way when in reality they are a different way. This sort of thing will abound in the last days, especially religiously. The end days are filled with terible events. Among the things which characterize the perilous days at the end of this age (2 Tim. 3:1-5) is general deception from evil people:

Evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Tim 3:13)

Jesus WARNED Christians
About Religious Deception!

The first thing Jesus mentioned when He answered the disciples' questions about the sign of His coming and the end of the age was to watch out for religious deception:

Jesus answered: Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. (Mat 24:4, 5)

False Prophets Are A MAJOR
Cause Of Religious Deception

The Lord also mentioned the success that false prophets will have in their religious deception. This should cause all Christians to stay on their spiritual guard, for many will be deceived:

Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. (Mat 24:11)

Miracle-Performing False
Prophets and False Christs

The Lord went on to give specifics about how the false Christs and false prophets will deceive people:

For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. (Mat 24:24)

For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. (Mark 13:22)

Did you notice that signs and miracles can be performed by deceivers? Furthermore, they seem designed to deceive the elect, if that were possible! Some people think it is not possible for the elect to get deceived, but we learn from others Scriptures that it definitely is:

Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. (2 Tim 2:17,18)

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. (2 Cor 11:3,4)

Paul clearly believed the elect could be deceived, for he mentioned two false teachers by name and stated that their message destroyed the faith of some Christians. He also revealed his concern for the Corinthian Christians, thinking they may become deceived as Eve was.

Deceivers Can Also Be Smooth
Talkers, Who Use Flattery

Another type of deceiver also exists. This type is a smooth talker just like the people on TV and radio, who speak so well:

For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. (Rom 16:18)

Religious Deception Through
Fine-sounding Biblical Arguments

False teachers can also present arguments that sound good:

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. (Col 2:2-4)

Another Type Of Religious Deceiver

There also exists the following type of deceiver:

Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. (2 John 1:7)

Religious Deception Through Jehovah's Witnesses

Certainly, one of the ways in which the devil is deceiving many is through the Jehovah's Witnesses. Besides their many false predictions about the end of the world that people need to be aware of, is another message. Please note the following warning:

And he said, Take heed that ye be not led astray: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am he; and, The time is at hand: go ye not after them. (Luke 21:8, ASV)

The founder of Jehovah's Witnesses, Charles Taze Russell, wrote a six volume set called Studies in the Scriptures in which his doctrinal distortions are placed in print. His second volume in this set is entitled, The Time is at Hand, the exact words Jesus said deceivers would declare! (Please also beware of other religious deception through Mormons, Seventh-Day Adventists, Muslims and Catholics.)

A Warning Regarding Jesus' Return

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. (2 Th 2:1-3)

With all the constant talk about a Pre-tribulation Rapture, which some say can happen at any moment, Paul gave us the details so we would not be deceived. Notice from the above what two events he stated would first occur.

Satanic Miracles Will Deceive

Some find it hard to believe that the Antichrist and false prophet could perform miracles, but they certainly will:

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (2 Th 2:9,10)

Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. (Rev 13:14) But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. (Rev 19:20)

In fact, even demons can perform miracles:

They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. (Rev 16:14)

Doctrines from Demons Will Cause
Some Christians to Defect

Demons can do various things, but perhaps the most shocking work that demons are in is concocting doctrines or teachings that will adversely affect some Christians even to the point of departing from Christianity:

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (1 Tim 4:1)

We Can Be Self-Deceived!

Believe it or not, it is even possible to be self-deceived! Read the following and learn how this can occur:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22)

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. (James 1:26)

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Gal 6:3)

Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. (1 Cor 3:18)

The Devil Has Been Deceiving Since Eden

The first time we read of the devil, he is about his work as a deceiver. (He succeeded in his religious deception with Eve when he first taught Gen. 3:4, which will soon be discussed further):

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (2 Cor 11:3)

And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. (1 Tim 2:14)

The Devil Is A Very
Successful DECEIVER

Amazingly, the chief way the devil is noted in the following passages is by his ability to deceive people:

He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. (Rev 20:3)

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Rev 20:10)

(Note the devil's final destiny will be unending torment along with all people who die in an unsaved condition! This reflects how important salvation is.)

Sin Is Deceptive

Besides all of the various methods that the devil has to deceive people, we should be aware that sin in itself is deceptive.

For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. (Rom 7:11)

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. (Heb 3:12-14)

Sin can put Christians to their spiritual death and should be avoided even to the point of shedding blood:

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Heb 12:4)

(Note: Christians are in a struggle against sin. Sin is still the issue for Christians.)

Even The Heart Of Man
Can Be Deceptive

Shocking but true, we must not even let our own heart lead us, for it too is deceptive. We must exalt the Scriptures to the primary position as to what is true and what is false, even above our own feelings and thoughts:

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jer 17:9)

The Unsaved Are Deceived!

One of the best ways to describe unsaved people is the following verse:

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. (Titus 3:3)

Note: all unsaved people are deceived. This is why they don't come to Jesus for salvation. (Only a deceived person would not come to the Lord for salvation.)

The Devil's Original Religious Deception
About Sin's Consequences

The devil's original lie is found at Gen 3:4:

"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman.

The devil lied about sin bringing forth spiritual death. This is the same message spread today by the various popular eternal security teachers such as Charles Stanley, Chuck Swindoll, John MacArthur, Charles Ryrie, Dave Hunt, etc. They deny that sin in the life of a believer can result in spiritual death. The following Scriptures from the real grace teacher, Paul, declares the opposite as we learn sin can stop a Christian from inheriting the kingdom of God and reaping eternal life.

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Eph 5:5) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. (Eph 5:6) Therefore do not be partners with them. (Eph 5:7)

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:9-11, NASB)

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (Gal 6:7) The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Gal 6:8) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal 6:9)

A common deception for thousands of years has been eternal security. In spite of the clear Scriptures just cited, some still choose to believe in that doctrinal myth. Also, notice the clarity of the following.

Sin Can Result in Spiritual Death

But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. (James 1:14-16)

Other Scriptures which also prove the above are:

For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, (Rom 8:13)

If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, he will die for it. (Ezek 33:18) And if a wicked man turns away from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live by doing so. (Ezek 33:18,19)

Do Not Be A Liar

The seriousness of being a liar like the devil, who is called the father of lies (Jn. 8:44), is shown in the following:

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. (Rev 21:8)

So liars will go to the lake of fire. The following similarly shows that they will be excluded from New Jerusalem:

Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Rev 21:27)

HOW NOT TO BE DECEIVED

With all of this deception running rampant, it is vitally important not to be deceived. Please note the follow two Scriptures:

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

Test everything. Hold on to the good. (1 Th 5:21)

Christians are not to be gullible! We are to test everything so we won't become a victim of religious deception. If we do test everyone and everything we will be much safer. This means that all visions, dreams, prophecies, teachings, testimonies, experiences, feelings, etc. are to be compared to the message of the Bible. See 2 Tim. 3:16,17. If it doesn't parallel its message then it cannot be from the same source that produced it, that is, God. To hold on to the good, as mentioned in 1 Thess. 5:21, means to hold on to what is true, as shown in the Scriptures. Reject everything else as a deadly poison, that is, religious deception.

OTHER TOPICS:

Skull And Crossbones Awards For False Prophets And False Teachers

Pope John Paul II Gets The Skull And Crossbones Award

Calvinism Refuted

New Creation In Christ

Enemies Of God

Former Eternal Security Proponents Audio Testimonies

Contact Us Or Join Our Email List

Evangelical Outreach
PO Box 265 Washington PA 15301
www.evangelicaloutreach.org