Deceived! (P1)
The title word may seem an odd one upon which to build an entire message or two. Yet the more we look around our culture today – locally, nationally, and globally – the more we find people asking the question, what the hell is going on? I used that question in numerous series of messages over the last few years because it best represents what Christians, and even some lost people, ask after surveying all the strange, evil, and perverse things that have become cultural norms in the hearts and minds of many millions. The answer comes straight out of God’s Word…they have been deceived.
We have to go back to the beginning (Genesis 3) to find the source of what, on the surface, seemed mild in effect and consequence, but, in reality, brought death and destruction into God’s perfect world. The following verse provides Jesus’ own words concerning this. In the verse above Jesus called satan the deceiver of the whole world. The precursor to someone being deceived is being lied to. Once someone believe the lie(s), they are more easily deceived.
The Original Deception brought sin and death into the world.
“…the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” Revelation 12:9
The Apostle Paul reminded Timothy that it was the sin of deception that doomed mankind.
“And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.” 1 Timothy 2:14
The word deceive (deception) is prominently used throughout the Old and New Testaments. The Greek word for deceive is apataō. It means to lead someone astray or into error (sin); cheat. In Greek mythology, Apate, was a Greek goddess of deception, an evil spirit released from Pandora’s box. Need I say more?
In the following verses, we learn that Jesus spent a lot of time teaching His disciples about satan, his character that naturally flowed from his deceptive nature.
“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44
In the verses below we read three times Jesus told them (us) who satan is now and the power he has held since the fall of mankind. These truth of these words should scare the hell out of us if we believe them!
““Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” John 12:31
“I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;” John 14:30
(the Holy Spirit will convict the world concerning judgement) concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.” John 16:11
During Jesus’ last trip to Jerusalem with His disciples, He further warned them about what was to come as the end of this world approached¾signs of the times. Again, it was a warning about deception.
Antichrists and False Teachers/Prophets – agents of satan
“See to it that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many…For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:4, 5, 24
The Apostle Paul gave us similar warnings about these deceptions and the dire consequences of not believing and receiving salvation in Jesus Christ when they had the chance.
“that is, the one (antichrist) whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not accept the love of the truth so as to be saved.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
That is a perfect segue to my invitation with which I always close my teaching time with you.
Invitation
If you find yourself among those who remain deceived by this fiercest of enemies, lost perhaps even confused, I have Good News for you. It is not too late to turn to Jesus who never deceives and cannot lie. He is the whole and absolute Truth! Jesus suffered the most heinous death by crucifixion to pay the penalty for our sins. He said we are all sinners in need of a Savior. He also said He is the only way – the door to salvation. (Matthew 4:17; 9:13; John 14:6)
Do not be deceived any longer! I implore you to receive Him as your Savior today. To those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior, He gives eternal life in Heaven. Those who reject Him will spend eternity suffering in Hell, wishing they had not refused His love, mercy and grace. I plead with you not to close this message without confronting yourself in light of the truths I presented. I may be the last evangelist or Bible teacher the Lord puts before you to tell you the truth and show you the way to Jesus. Will you humble yourself and receive Him today? I am praying you do!
All for Christ’s sake,
