One of the clearest warnings given in the New Testament concerns the proliferation of false prophets and teachers who will lead many astray. Disguising themselves as trusted Christian brethren — wolves in sheep’s clothing — these deceivers secretly introduce destructive heresies into assemblies of believers. Unnoticed, they skillfully attack, ravage, and eventually scatter the sheep (Acts 20:29). Such deception happened in the early Church, and continues today among unsuspecting Christians.
Our merciful God has not left His children defenseless in this great spiritual battle. Deception need not happen to any believer as the Word of God is quite specific on the tactics and teachings of false prophets. The Bible teaches that deception often comes from within. Coming from the outside would be just too obvious!
Jude warns his readers of this very thing (v. 4). Imagine the horror his readers felt when they learned they were deceived by some “trusted” teacher! Maybe some were so deceived that they said, “How dare you criticize this brother?” Is it possible that some of today’s popular Christian teachers are false prophets? Do not be deceived!
It is also important to recognize that deceivers promote human wisdom and tradition. Paul warned the Colossian believers: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col. 2:8).
The Bible states very explicitly that the Scriptures have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). Absolute dependence on the Holy Spirit, prayer, and obedience to the Word of God are the keys to victory over sin. However, pulpits, radio shows, television ministries, and Christian bookstores are filled with material promoting empty human tradition. Today, the teachings of self-esteem and secular psychology are cloaked as “Christian” and promoted as the solutions to man’s problems. No longer is the Bible regarded as sufficient for our needs. Sadly, the evidence brings into light the fact that the majority of professing Christianity is terribly deceived. Don’t allow yourself to be deceived as well!
Finally, deceivers pervert the scriptural teaching of salvation. In fact, the heart of the New Testament teachings on deception surrounds the Gospel message. Jude writes: “For there are certain men crept in unawares . . . ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
False teachers will turn the grace of our God into lasciviousness. That is, they will preach a defective Gospel message that lays a foundation which gives the listeners a license to sin. Typically, the preacher calls upon people to accept Jesus as their Saviour with no mention of repentance. As a result, many professing believers live lives that are little different from the world. They continue in sinful practices with the confidence that their souls are prepared for heaven — when they are still on the broad road to destruction.
In defense of such preaching, many well-known teachers will boldly state that one’s life style has no connection with one’s eternal welfare. Yet, the Word of God clearly warns that such teachers are deceivers. Listen to the Apostle John in his first epistle: “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil” (1 John 3:7-8).
Without question, the apostle teaches that practical righteousness is intimately connected with conversion. Someone once said, “If you think you can’t be deceived, you are deceived already!” Deception is never obvious. Jesus Himself warned of this in Matthew 24:24: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, . . . that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Likewise, deception by false teachers is not rare. The devil and his agents are aggressively promoting error. Repeatedly, the Spirit of God warns us, “Do not be deceived” (e.g., 1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Cor. 15:33; Gal. 6:7; James 1:16).
How can we avoid such deception? First of all, every Christian must personally know the Word of God. While every scheming tactic of Satan cannot be anticipated, we can be so familiar with the Word of God that any deviation from biblical truth can be immediately discerned. This is how our Lord reproved the devil during His wilderness temptation (Matt. 4:1-11). Equally essential is the necessity of every believer living in obedience to the Word. Knowledge without application never leads to a true understanding of the Scriptures. The Psalmist wrote: ” . . . a good understanding have all they that do His commandments . . . ” (Ps. 111:10).
Furthermore, the elders of every assembly need to be systematic and purposeful in their study and preaching of the Scriptures. Sadly, in many assemblies the teaching ministry is without direction or purpose. Consequently, the saints have a weak foundation and shallow understanding of the Bible. Yet, Paul wrote in Acts 20:26-27 that he was “innocent of the blood of all men.” Why? Because he did not shrink from declaring “all the counsel of God.” For any elder, these should be sobering words that motivate us to earnestly shepherd the flock. We must thoroughly teach the Word of God with solid, practical applications, so that the saints will not be deceived and ravaged.
May God grant us grace and victory as we daily battle the forces of darkness. Maranatha!
Written by George Sturm