The Bible warns in 2 Thessalonians to stand firm in the Lord so you are not deceived. Chapter 2, verse 10 says, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved.” Believers are often warned about deception. Christ said in Matthew 24:4, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” In verse 11, Christ continues with the warning: “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” For months, I have written that followers of Christ must be able to discern deception and by all means pursue the truth. Truth saves one from deception. Christ followers are supposed to love truth and be the ones who bring truth, not spread lies.
There is an art of deception, especially in politics. 2 Timothy 3:13 says, “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” It starts with evil men. They seek to seduce by using just a dash of truth to make a better lie. These deception artists ply the minds of their targets by devising schemes and narratives that people want to believe so badly that they will suspend their disbelief to believe the lie. And they will believe it so strongly that it becomes part of their very being. When the deception doesn’t come about or is proven false, the deceivers move their mark to justify even more deception. All the while, those being deceived become more ardently committed to the deception.
These days, there has been an extraordinary amount of deception. So-called prophets have made false claims about the will of God. None of it has come true. And now they are moving their mark using technical details to justify what they said. They owe us all an apology. If you are going to quote God or speak for God you better get it right. It’s not about self-aggrandization, but the solemn and sober communication of the Lord’s will and message to His people. In addition, evil men and seducers have sought to deceive many with wild conspiracy theories that have not and will not occur. Again, a little bit of truth makes a better lie and when it doesn’t happen, there is further seduction by moving to the next theory. Some master plan is said to be unfolding, making further promises. And some Christians are willing spreaders of the lies.
Many well-intended Christians continue to angrily argue and defend the deceivers as the lies are spread. This Daily Jot is a call to wake up to this deception; to no longer be used as a tool of the deceivers; to no longer follow after these lusts to satisfy itching ears. Deception is a distraction from good and acceptable service to the Lord. If as much passion was placed into serving the Lord as is put into believing and spreading the latest falsehoods of the deceivers, there would be no need to want to believe the deception. Christ warned that these false prophets and frauds, if possible, shall deceive the very elect. From what I’ve seen over the many months, it is very possible. In fact, probable. This has been an example of how easy the anti-Christ could deceive many. Love truth more than the seduction of deception. Do not be deceived.
