Christians should read the Bible and pray frequently. If we do not connect with Christ and read the word, we set ourselves up to be deceived. A Christian is a follower of Christ and is therefore expected to follow the example He set when He was on earth. He prayed to the Father and when the devil attempted to deceive Him, He quoted the scriptures. The sword we are told to use is the word of God. That is our defense, not our intellect or debating skills. Ephesians 6:17, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
Matthew 24:24 tells us that the enemy is so cunning that if it was possible he would deceive even the very elect, the ones chosen by Jesus Christ to be His bride, those He chose from the foundations of the earth. The lying and deceptive spirits are evident in the world today. It has reached a point where some people say they don’t know what to believe anymore. 1 Peter 5:8-10 states, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
In Matthew 24:24, Jesus cautions His disciples about the emergence of false Christs and prophets who will perform remarkable signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the chosen ones. Some of us say we are Christians, but we do not read the Bible consistently. Some do so only when they are worshipping with other believers in a church service, bible study group, or a prayer meeting. This makes us easy targets for the enemy to twist words, play with our minds, and lead us astray. We rely on others to tell us what the word means, and we do not take the time to read the Bible and meditate on it so that the Holy Spirit can teach us and open our understanding. Some of the very people we allow to lead us, and who we clamor after for signs and wonders are the ones who the enemy has primed to deceive us.
From the outset, Satan has been deceiving God’s people (Genesis 3:13), a trend that will persist until the revelation of the lawless one who will deceive with great power, signs, and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9–10). John’s vision of the millennium concludes with a global surge of deception instigated by Satan (Revelation 20:8), therefore, Jesus’ warning remains pertinent to us today.
Misinterpreting Jesus’ warning, one might reassure themselves that the elect is immune to that type of deception, however, this overlooks three critical points:
Firstly, it disregards historical evidence showing that Christians have indeed been susceptible to deception. In recent times, some have been misled into supporting “ministries” vastly different from their professed nature. Sadly, we are often drawn to the spectacular (“signs and wonders”) over the substantial, and novelty (“false prophets”) over sound doctrine. To believe Christians cannot be deceived is to begin to fall into deception.
Secondly, this misinterpretation misunderstands the nature of impossibility in Jesus’ words. He did not declare the elect incapable of deception; all are vulnerable. Nonetheless, we are assured that God will safeguard His people, just as He protected Simon Peter through Christ’s prayers and divine power (Luke 22:31–32). This protection operates through active faith (1 Peter 1:5).
Thirdly, Matthew 24:13 – 14, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Those who endure the testing and trials and emerge as pure gold remaining in Christ are the elect. Like the Apostle Peter, the enemy cannot pluck them out of God’s hands. In Luke 22:31-32 Jesus told Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
How Christians Are Deceived
The Allure Material Wealth
There are many distractions and deceptions in the world. Some are overt and easily identified and others are subtle. Materialism and the quest for wealth which fuels greed, is one way by which people are being deceived. Material gains are equated with prosperity and blessings. Earthly power, fame, position, and money are given priority over pleasing God.
The Quest for Worldly Power
We are expected to function as good citizens but not to deviate from what the Bible teaches. Many Christians are caught up in supporting political ideologies, people, and practices that are not in keeping with the word of God.
Seeking After Signs and Wonders
Sometimes we forget that it is Christ who we are following and not man. Yes, we have leaders, pastors, and ministers but if they are not operating according to the teachings of Christ then we can be drawn away with them. Some persons are too focused on receiving a word from someone else rather than building and maintaining a strong relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. This opens them up to being targeted and deceived.
Laziness
By developing an appetite for God’s Word, we are “trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Heb. 5:14, ESV), and we grow in discernment. Is that true of you today? We should set aside time to read the Bible every day and to reflect on what we read. It may be a few verses, a chapter, or more. This will open our understanding and we can apply what we read in our lives. We should also memorize some key verses to draw on when faced with challenging situations.
Having the Wrong Priorities
Being too busy to do the things that can build our faith is another weakness that the enemy exploits. This includes personal prayer time, daily devotion, Bible study, and worship with other Christians. 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Hebrews 10:24-25 instructs us Christians not to neglect gathering together, but to encourage each other, especially as the day of Christ’s return approaches. It also describes congregational worship as a way to encounter God and submit to him through praise, obedience, repentance, and faith.
Misunderstanding the Bible
Many Christians are led astray and reject the Gospel because they misunderstand its promises and their own responsibilities within it. They perceive the Gospel’s demands as excessive or too lofty, and instead opt for lesser commitments and self-serving assurances of comfort and convenience. They hold an idealized expectation of what the Gospel should be, and when reality diverges from their imagined picture, they abandon their faith. The world, false prophets, seemingly harmless support groups, and others offer seemingly quicker, easier, and more enticing outcomes than Christ or His Gospel, prompting them to pursue what appears to be a more promising path. The hostess of a popular television show is said to have stated that the Bible says that God is jealous and she does not want to worship such a God.
Be Guarded and Remain Steadfast
How can we guard ourselves against spiritual deception? By developing sensitivity, we become aware of Satan’s strategies in our lives (2 Cor. 2:11). He uses lies, temptations, distractions, conflict, isolation, discouragement, and deceptions to ensnare believers and then accuse them. He tried to tempt Jesus by quoting the Scriptures, so can you imagine what he will attempt to do with us when we don’t know what the Bible teaches?
By developing self-knowledge, we recognize how weak we are. Since nothing good dwells in our flesh (Rom. 7:18), we need to constantly depend on the Lord. Do you? When you have the gift of discernment you will be able to distinguish between right and wrong even if it is not a glaring wrong. Ask the Lord to give you that gift. When you receive it use it. Do not compromise and please man more than God.
Learn the way the Lord instructs as opposed to how man instructs. Spend time with Him so that you can discern His voice and not follow deceivers. John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:5, “And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” Brothers and sisters do not allow the many voices and noise all around you to confuse you and draw you away from God. Matthew 7:20 tells us that we shall know them by their fruits. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.