Avoiding Deception

by Victoria Gaines
Published February 4, 2008

"The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved."
~ 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (NIV) ~

Worldly skepticism and conflicting doctrines have infiltrated the postmodern Church. It's bad enough that the world is a deceptive place, but now it’s not unusual to find rampant deception among the brethren. Oh, what perilous times these are. We desperately need the Lord’s wisdom, grace, and discernment. Why is there so little of it? Are we not paying attention? Are we not abiding in Christ? In these times of apostasy, it’s vitally important to stick close to the Lord through the reading of His Word while we let His Spirit renew us in an ongoing way. He is our Daily Bread – not authors, teachers, or preachers.

Because spiritual leaders, some with familiar names we once trusted, now waffle and compromise so as not to offend or divide. Legalism is sad and damaging enough, but more and more evangelicals regard unity more highly than the truth. Sad, isn’t it? Too many times we find it distasteful to question anyone's false teaching because it sounds divisive. Still, we’re to lovingly speak the truth. Sometimes the problem has more to do with wanting folks to like us, and so we concede. But who will speak for truth while we're tripping over our own egos? Christ calls us to give UP the right to be liked … and follow Him.

Do you know Truth? Jesus is Truth.

But His name is being misused, abused, and misconstrued. He's being reinvented and redefined. If we aren't intimately acquainted with Him through His Word, we'll be duped. It's that simple. Too many believers I've talked with lately have readily embraced teachings from popular authors who call themselves Christians. They love these books. They fail to check these authors' erroneous teachings against the Scriptures

Today, wolves in sheep’s clothing are shredding the integrity of the Gospel. Churches now try so hard to walk closer with the world, in order to reach the world, instead of walking closer to Christ. Why do we need "growth gurus"? Why do we need pop psychology in the pulpit? Why are many returning to the "ancient paths" of Catholicism to get in touch with Christ? Is this not all backwards? Why do we entertain contemplative practices, centering prayer, and yoga? Why do we keep reading the spiritual junk food marketed to the masses instead of our bibles? Why do we need to “rethink” Christianity anyway? Maybe we just need to walk in the light as He is in the light.

All of us like sheep have gone astray. Dear friend, we're so easily deceived. I don’t want to rant, but my heart is burdened for those who being led away from the truth without even knowing it. Someone needs to sound the clarion call back to the simplicity of Christ. I pray someone reading here today will come out of the shadows of deception, and call on Christ, to the glory of God.

"This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you,
that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."
~ 1 John 1: 5 (ESV) ~

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