God has in the scriptures warned man about deception. The ultimate deceiver is Satan, (Rev. 12:9) but his ministers are going about sowing falsehoods daily.
Consider the various forms of the term: Deceive – to make (a person) believe what is not true; mislead. Deceptive – deceiving or intended to deceive. Then is self-deception; Webster defines “self-deception” as “the act or an instance of deceiving oneself or the state of being deceived by oneself especially concerning one’s true nature, feelings, etc.”(see 1 Cor. 3:18-23). Thus we learn that “deceived” means “to be led into error.”
God does not want His people to be deceived at all. In at least four passages He explicitly states “do not be deceived” ( 1 Cor. 6:9; 15:33; Gal. 6:7 and Jas. 1:16).
Thus, we see that deception is an ugly word and concept. The apostle Paul wrote three times in two epistles warning brethren to “do not be deceived.”
This article will quickly appraise three different ways in which we should not be deceived or led away.
Do Not Be Deceived About Condemning Effects Of Evil
In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, we read “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 homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” Paul also gave us other lists of sins (Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-6; Col. 3:5-6), but here he warns us about being misled or deceived by sinful activities. Observe that the consequences of the aforementioned deeds is that those who engage in such things “shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Many times people believe that they can rationalize their sin, but unrepentant sin ALWAYS condemns!
Do Not Be Deceived About the Effect And Influence Of Error
Paul penned, “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1 Cor. 15:33). The context of this statement in 1 Corinthians 15 is false teaching regarding the resurrection and all false teaching “corrupts” us. Paul said that false teachers were really Satan in disguise (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Paul also said that false teachers teach the “doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1-3). False teachers reveal “damnable heresies” (2 Peter 2:1-2). We CANNOT afford to play around with false teaching and error. Let us not kid ourselves and be deceived regarding such teachings and teachers. To do so will condemn us!
Do Not Be Deceived About The Results Of Your Actions On Eternity
Galatians 6:7-9 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Proverbs 24:11-12 tells us that God will render to man “according to his works.” Paul made the same point in Romans 2:1-11 and 2 Corinthians 5:10. Not only can sin make your life miserable now, but it CERTAINLY will cause you to miss heaven and thus be punished for eternity!
There is no reason to be led astray. Don’t be deceived, the principle of reaping what you sow is just as applicable today as it was when Paul penned these words. Be diligent, be courageous and have a great love of the Lord and you will not turn away from the faith.
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