Deception offers that which is desirable in the beginning but is destructive in the end! Satan came to Adam and Eve in the Garden and asked: ‘Do you want to be like God?’ It was desirable in the beginning, but when both ate the forbidden fruit, they were driven from the garden into the world.
God will allow deception that will drive many of us to read the Word of God, Pray and Fast! Deception comes to those who will walk by sight and not by FAITH! Many, in pursuit of quick riches or harbor greed or view things based on outward appearances are open to deception in this season. For example, if one trusts man more than God, one is open to deception.
Many judge based on eloquence, intellect, appearance, level of academic achievement to summarize people or make certain decisions; and if those are your criteria, you are open to deception in this season. If we follow those criteria we will always be deceived by politicians, ‘Ponzi’ type Schemers, False Prophets, False Teachers and more.
Deception comes when we are spiritually low. Many go for heights, few go for depth! Depth in God is greater than Height! When you have depth in God you become rooted. From that standpoint, you reach greater heights when you are firmly rooted!
There are key Words and Scriptures to which we must pay great attention in this time. Words such as Nimrod, Babylon, Spirit of the World, the Dragon. Scriptures such as the Book of Daniel, I John 2. Pay attention to your dreams and symbols such as snakes, cats, kisses, silver coins. The Holy Spirit is speaking as never before to His people, but many are not paying attention.
Don’t be fooled by Social Network. There are different levels of deception!
Self Deception – I John 1: 8
Rebellion & Disobedience – Deuteronomy 28: 1 – 14; James 4: 17
Sexual
Spiritual
Moral & Ethical
Intellectual
Political
Recognize too that Lack of Patience and Pride will bring deception! The enemy will come as an angel of light!
It is sad to say, sinners are quicker to discern deception than Christians. We even see where sinners perceived more readily who Jesus was, while the religious ones could not!
Matthew 24: 3 – 14 says:
“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences,[b] and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Many think that this Scripture is referring to a local prophet in a church who make an error and gives a word who is regarded as a False Prophet. But the Lord was speaking concerning the religious, social and political. There are many in the politics and in the media who say they are Christians, but yet they do not ascribe to or believe in what the Word says – they have different views and ideologies. You better look out, because not one of God’s Words will fall to the ground.
If you are one of them who believes that a true prophet is one who gives you a word and it comes to pass, you will be deceived. We are not under the Old Testament. Jesus said, if you want to know who a true prophet is, by their fruit you shall know them. (Matthew 7; Galatians 4) The devil is accurate too!
There are different principles we can use to judge prophecies/prophetic words. We are commanded to test the spirit. (I John 4: 1) whether they are of God, of self or of the devil. False prophecies lead to deception and manipulation. Every motive and hidden agenda must be tested. Why most New Testament prophets of today are not effective. Most of them are politicians; and as such they can’t see beyond their favorite political party. Are the prophecies bringing edification, exhortation and comfort? It must agree with the Word of God; it must bear fruit and agree with the Holy Spirit. If a Word of Prophecy and promotes disobedience against God’s Scripture, it is not a true prophecy. (Deuteronomy 13: 1 – 3) Any prophecy given that is against Scriptural Guidelines is not of God. True prophecy promotes liberty and not bondage. Any prophecy that comes but does not give glory and honor to Jesus Christ is deception.