Beware of Deception: A Warning from Scripture
The Scam of a Lifetime
You’ve probably received an email that set off alarm bells. It might have been from a “Chief Oyinbolowo Eko” with a subject line that screams “URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP.” The email claims you’ve been chosen to help transfer a large sum of money, and all you need to do is provide some personal information. You’re smart, so you delete it without giving it a second thought.
The Deception of False Teaching
But why do people fall prey to false teachings that contradict biblical truth? Jesus warned us about deceivers who would come in His name, claiming to be the Christ (Mark 13:5-6, 21). Paul also cautioned us about false teachers who masquerade as servants of righteousness, but ultimately lead people astray (2 Corinthians 11:14-15, Galatians 1:8).
Guarding Against Deception
So, how can we protect ourselves from being deceived? The key lies in continually reading God’s Word and holding fast to its central truths. We must be cautious not to uncritically trust the interpretations of any one person, especially when it comes to salvation issues. While there are peripheral faith issues where Christians can disagree, we cannot compromise on the core gospel.
Staying Vigilant
To avoid being led astray, we must keep our minds sharp and be willing to calmly walk away from teachings that dishonor God by rejecting His revealed truth in Scripture. By doing so, we can ensure that we remain grounded in the truth and avoid the pitfalls of deception.
A Personal Reflection
Have you ever been deceived or tricked in the past? What did you learn from the experience? Take a moment to reflect on how you can apply those lessons to your spiritual journey today.
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