GOD’S WORD DISCERNS TRUTH FROM DECEPTION
The inspired of God thoroughly equips the person of God to discern truth from deception (2 Timothy 2:16-17; Hebrews 4:12). It is the Word of God that reveals that Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth and the life;” and that he loves us enough to have died for our sins (John 14:6; John 3:16). It is also the Word that warns us to “beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Prayerfully following the Word of God, being led by the Holy Spirit of truth, we are able to distinguish the truth from deception (John 16:13-15).
THE FATHER OF DECEPTION
The biblical Word of God says the devil is the father of lies; and of those who practice deception (John 8:44). By observing the deceptive strategies of the devil, as disclosed in the Bible, we are better prepared to deal with the basic tactics of spiritual deceivers.
Chapter three of Genesis, reveals that after God made Adam and Eve and placed them in a Garden called Eden; God told them they could eat of every tree in the Garden, but “You must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die”(verse 2).
However, the devil, masquerading as a serpent in the Garden, distorted the words of God by saying: “ You will not surely die…for God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3:4: Revelation 20:2). Tempted and deceived by the devil, the woman saw the tree was pleasant to the eyes and desirable to make one wise, she took fruit from the tree and ate it. She also gave fruit to her husband and he ate it.
The day Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating from the forbidden tree they died. They were separated from God, and died spiritually in trespasses and sin (Colossians 2:13; 1Timothy 5:6). Physically death was set in motion immediately (Hebrews 9:27).
THE GOD OF TRUTH
Yet, because of God’s love and mercy, he had a plan to deal with the devil’s deception, and to restore man and woman to a place of fellowship with Himself. God promised that the offspring of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would come as a man, born of a woman, to defeat the devil by dying on a cross to atone for the sins of mankind (Matthew 1:20-23; Isaiah 53:5). And through Jesus’ obedience, he would restore those who repent and believe in his atonement to fellowship with God (Colossians 2:14-15; John 3:16).
AGENTS OF THE FATHER OF DECEPTION
Agents whom the devil uses to try to deceive us concerning the truth of God’s Word are under the devil’s influence (Ephesians 6:12). They may come to us as wolves in sheep’s clothing: as false prophets, as angels of light; and even as “false Christs.” (Matthew 7:15; 24:24-26; 2 Corinthians 11:13-14).
SOME COMMON DECEPTIVE TEACHINGS
Below are some common lies that many false teachers preach that do not align with what the comprehensive Holy Bible teaches. However, they may use selected scriptures out of context to try to support their teachings. The biblical Word of God says there is a way that seems right to some but the end thereof is destruction (Proverbs 14:12).
BIBLE: Jesus is the only way to God the Father (John 14:6; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Act 4:12). DECEIVERS: Contrary to the Bible, deceivers say there are other ways to God the Father.
BIBLE: Seek first the kingdom of God, and all other things will be added to you (Matthews 6:33; Psalm 37:4). Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).
DECEIVERS: In opposition to the Bible, deceivers tell people to focus and concentrate on what you want of the things of this world and you will prosper.
MOTIVES OF DECEIVERS ARE NOT OUR MAIN CONCERN. To what extent human deceivers are aware of being under the devil’s influence, God knows. And whether their intentions are good or bad, God knows. However, the Bible says you can know them by the fruit they bare (Matthew 7:15-20; John 14:15 ).
We are primarily concerned about discerning deceptive spiritual agents to prevent or correct the destructive effects of their false teachings. Their false doctrines may result in people believing in a false gospel. Their lies may lead people away from the Lord who is able to save from sin. And their lies may cause people to be eternally separated from God( Luke 6:39; John 8:21).
Yet God’s Word says, pray for, and gently try to instruct opponents and distorters of the truth, and those who follow them “in hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Peter 3:9).
God wants us to discern truth from deception. It is because of God’s love for us that he tells us to test the spirits, by God’s Word, to discern whether they are from God (1 John 4:1).
