LET NO ONE DECEIVE YOU!
Intro.
1. Human experience teaches us that we can be & often are
misled, if not deceived - cf. Prov. 14:12. The possibility of being deceived is not
something we cherish, neither should it cause us to be suspicious & distrustful of
everyone around us.
2. Beguile - "To deceive" (Thayer); Strengthened form suggesting thoroughness (1
Tim. 2:14). "To mislead by guile, deceive, to deprive (of or out of) by deceit;
cheat" (Webster). [Guile - "Cunning, crafty"].
3. God's word helps us identify this possibility & its sources, & offers answers
so that we will not be beguiled & thereby be cheated out of our heavenly reward.
I. WE ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO DECEPTION - 2 Cor. 11:3.
A. Satan's Craftiness Causes Corruption.
1. Eve: Caused sin & separation from God & His blessings.
2. We are his targets, too. Cunning efforts deceive us.
B. The Deceptions Of Satan Can Be Withstood.
1. cf. 2 Ths. 2:3 - Let no man beguile you.
2. 1 Pet. 5:8 - Sober watchfulness.
3. Jas. 4:7 - Submission (to God) & resistance (of devil).
II. THINGS WHICH CAN DECEIVE US.
A. Sin And Its Influence - Rom. 7:11.
1. Sin deceives us into underestimating its power & effects.
2. By lusts & temptations - 2 Pet. 2:19; 1 Jno. 2:16; Jas. 1:14-15.
3. We cannot play around with sin & be unharmed! - Eph. 5:6; 1 Cor.
15:33; 1 Jno. 3:6-8.
4. ANSWER:
a. Clearly define proper & improper desires, &
which ones you will fulfill in your life - Col. 3:5-9, 12-13.
b. Do not love the world - 1 Jno. 2:15.
B. Self-deception - 1 Cor. 3:18.
1. Element of pride & conceit (over-valuing of one's opinions,
etc.) - Lk. 18:9-12; Prov. 16:18.
2. ANSWER: Devalue estimation of self (humility) - 1 Cor. 3:18 (10:
12); Lk. 18:14; Rom. 12:3; 1 Jno. 1:8.
C. Those Who Cause Division Among The Saints - Rom. 16:17-18.
1. Show vs. Substance - v. 18; Col. 2:4; 2 Pet. 2:3.
a. Smooth & fair speech - Often persuasive, but not
necessarily the truth! The innocent suffer! (v. 18)
b. Covetous men - Desiring you for their advantage.
2. ANSWER: Mark & turn away from them - Rom. 16:17; Tit. 3:10- 11.
D. Deceitful Teachers - 2 Ths. 2:3 (2 Cor. 11:13-15).
1. Their teaching contradicts apostolic teaching - 2:1-2; 1 Cor. 14:37.
2. Their teaching is deceptive! - Matt. 24:4-5
b. False teachers -- teachers of deception!
3. ANSWER: Hold fast apostolic teaching - 2 Ths. 2:15 (1 Ths. 2:13).
III. GOD WILL NOT DECEIVE US - Heb. 13:5.
A. God Is Faithful - Rom. 3:4; 1 Cor. 1:9; Psa. 40:10.
-(He will not deceive you about your spiritual condition, about remedy
for sin, about proper service of Him, about moral living, are anything else!)
B. God's Word Is Sound (Not Deceptive) - 1 Tim. 6:3; 1 Pet. 2:23.
C. Jesus Will Never Lead Us Astray - Jno. 14:6; 8:31-32.
Conclusion
1. If we trust in ourselves or other men - We will be deceived & lose our souls! -
Gal. 6:7-9.
2. By trusting in God & His word (faith) we are shielded from the cunning attempts of
Satan to deceive us & slay our souls.