‘Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.’

Acts 20:28-31

It’s crucial for every Christian to be aware of the deceptions that exist in our world today. Especially within the “Church”.  The apostle Paul warned us multiple times not to be deceived, and in II Timothy 3:13, he writes, “but evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

Attacking the Literal Approach to Reading Scripture

The Bible is constantly under attack, with some trying to ridicule the idea of taking it literally. Origen was the first to promote the idea of taking scripture figuratively, and this has led to almost 2000 years of deception. Replacement theology, which teaches that Israel disappeared after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, has permeated the majority of Christendom and has led to almost no teaching or knowledge about end-time prophecy.

Deception is also nullifying the wonderful gospel of grace in so many mainline denominations worldwide by overtly or subtly adding works to salvation. It’s the Jerusalem church’s Judiazers all over again: “You can’t be saved unless” you do this and that.

Paul wrote in II Thessalonians 2:3, “Let no man deceive you.” It’s crucial to stay with the truth of scripture and not be misled by false teachings. Peter wrote in II Peter 3:15-16, “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest (they twist), as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

The apostle Paul also wrote this strong warning to us. God’s word speaks for itself. Beware! Satan transforms himself into an angel of light and he does the same for ministers in the pulpit.

‘For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.’

II Corinthians 11:13-15

Takeaway

Deception is a major issue that should be taken seriously. We must stay vigilant and avoid false teachings and interpretations of the Bible. Stick with the truth of scripture and don’t let anyone deceive you.

CONTEXT DETERMINES INTERPRETATION

Most problems in interpreting Bible passages arise from neglecting the context of a bible verse. The guiding principle of sound interpretation is to take a passage literally. Not maintaining this discipline, makes interpreting Scripture man’s idea, fantasy, and the passage can mean almost anything. The result is erroneous and ridiculous interpretations.

To be a good bible student one must maintain a literal, grammatical and historical (in-time) hermeneutic. There has been much too much of man’s theology governing Scripture when it is God’s Word alone that reigns over theology.

Get your Bible out and read these Bible verses. Read them twice, three times. The power is in God’s words.

Ephesians 5:6 (KJV)
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Ephesians 4:14 (KJV)
that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

2 Thessalonians 2:3 (KJV)
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Romans 16:18 (KJV)
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Galatians 6:7 (KJV)
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

2 Timothy 3:13 (KJV)
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Titus 1:10 (KJV)
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

2 Corinthians 6:8 (KJV)
by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

2 Thessalonians 2:10 (KJV)
and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV)
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,