If You Were Deceived, Would You Know It?

Bob

Matthew 24:4, NIV - "Jesus answered, "Watch out that no one deceives you."

Have you ever counted how many times Jesus warns us about deception in Matthew 24? His warnings about deception are repeated in Mark 13 and Luke 21. It is clear that a Great Deception will come. It will affect everyone, everywhere. Some of us believe that it has already begun.

If you think that you cannot be deceived, you already are!

Instead of worrying about it, I want to be prepared. The following list seems like a good start to me.

  • Stay Alert! 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”.

  • Be Obedient to God's Word! James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

  • Guard Your Heart! Deception usually begins in the heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

  • Don't Travel Alone! There is strength in numbers. Stay in relationship with other Christians.