Deception Mark 13:5 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
We are told that before the coming of the Lord, during the time in which we are living now, we are to beware of deception. So it is important that we learn about deception so that we can keep from being deceived. Notice from where deception comes:
Men can deceive you – Mk 13:5; 2 Thes 2:3 – deception increases the closer we get to the coming of the Lord. No matter who he is, the Lord says, “Let no man deceive you by any means.”
Women can deceive you – Job 31:9 – this is generally a sensual thing. Single men and married men can be deceived into relationships with women. Their imagination coupled with her seduction lead them into relations they should never have gotten into in the first place.
Preachers can deceive you – Jer 29:8, Rom 16:18, Eph 4:14 – this is a very common problem today. I suppose that there is more deception today coming from pulpits than there is truth.
Sin can deceive you – Rom 7:11, Gal 6:7 – sin is a vicious deceiver. It promises pleasure and brings death. It allures you into death by making you believe that your sin won’t kill you.
Alcohol can deceive you – Prov 20:1 – first, consider the advertising. Marketing only shows you one side, the party; it never shows you after the party. Second, consider the statistics. You don’t see the 88,000 alcohol related deaths each year [3rd life-style related cause of death]. Those deaths represent 2.5 million years of potential life lost [about 30 years per death]. Due to excessive alcohol in 2006, there were 1.2 million emergency room visits and 2.7 million physician office visits. And we still believe the old slogan “drink responsibly.” Apparently there are 100’s of thousands or millions who have been deceived into believing that they can.
Sorceries can deceive you – Rev 18:23 – the Greek word from which we get the word sorcery is pharmakeia from which we get the word pharmacy. Sorcery is the use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits. My conjecture is that some of the mind altering and behavior altering prescription drugs are in some way subjecting some users to evil spirits. There are absolutely too many heinous crimes today that are being committed by people on these drugs. I believe that some people on these drugs are being deceived by sorcery.
You can deceive yourself – your senses can deceive you, Gen 27:12; your heart can deceive you, Deut 11:16 [Solomon’s heart deceived him to worship idols]. Your lips can deceive you, Prov 24:28 [you end up believing your own lie]. Your wisdom can deceive you, 1 Cor 3:18.
The Devil can deceive you – Rev 12:9; 1 Tim 2:14; Rev 20:10 – of course, the devil is the master deceiver.
The Lord can deceive you – Ezek 14:9 – 1 Ki 22:22 – God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, 2 Thes 2:11.
Conclusion: To keep from being deceived, you simply must know, believe and follow the truth, 2 Thes 2:12