The Bible very clearly declares that obedience to God’s will is essential to one’s salvation (Matt. 7:21). If one is deceived or led astray, he cannot render that obedience; hence the warning of the text: “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” The importance of this subject is also seen from 2 Timothy 3:1, 13.

DECEPTION IS NOT INEVITABLE:

The text implies that much. In John 7:17, Jesus says, “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.” He also says in Matthew 13:12: “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”

WAYS AND MEANS OF BEING DECEIVED:

Sin can be deceptive. In Hebrews 3:13, the writer encourages us: “encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” In Revelation 12:9, we see this is the primary modus operandi of Satan: “And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” Then in Romans 7:17, Paul writes: “So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.”

The serpent, finding occasion through the commandment, beguiled Eve, and through it separated her from God (Gen. 3:1ff; 2 Cor. 11:3). Sin is, indeed, deceptive.

Riches are deceptive. In Matthew 13:22, Jesus tells us: “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” Also, in Mark 10:24-25, we read: “The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Riches promise many of the same blessings that God does. A trust in riches renders impossible a complete trust in God. Therefore, the claims of riches are deceitful.

False wisdom is deceitful. Paul discusses this in Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” He offers similar warning to the Christians in Ephesus: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 5:6). He also warns the Christians in Rome: “For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting” (Rom. 16:18).

Finally, people who misuse Scripture (Rom. 16:18) deceive the simple-minded. In 2 Corinthians 4:2, Paul writes: “we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” There are those who “adulterate the word of God.” Back in 2:17, he had already written: “we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.” This is like a peddler who adulterates his goods or puts the best on top so as to deceive.

Yes, Satan will use any means at his disposable to deceive us (cf. 2 Thess. 2:3).

HOW TO AVOID BEING DECEIVED:

By exercising personal care (Matt. 24:4; 15:14) and by listening to and searching the Scriptures (Acts 17:11-12). Finally, by manifesting the proper attitude toward the truth: loving it and believing it (2 Thess. 2:10-12).

It is not the will of God that anyone should perish (2 Peter 3:9) and it is certain that He will not permit His trusting child, who is doing his best, to be led astray (1 Cor. 10:13).

the late Wayne Holland
from a sermon preached:
Hiawassee, GA (1/22/1984)
Roxboro, NC (11/18/1990)
Henderson, NC (4/5/1998)