“And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you.’ For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”

Matthew 24:4-5

Many who read this passage think on simple terms and convince themselves they could never be deceived by someone who said they were Jesus. But, there are many around the world claiming to be Christ or a Prophet that has built a cult of followers around them.

A quick look at Wikipedia shows many in the world claiming “I am the Christ.”

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If you have 25 minutes to watch a documentary on a person who claims he is Christ, click here.  I must warn you that this can be disturbing if you are a follower of the only name under heaven “whereby we are saved.”  Notice, as you watch (if you do), how the beauty of the true Creator is used by the false Christ to seduce the followers into a lie and away from the true God.  The ramblings of the false Messiah is seductive to people who love not the truth as found in God’s word.

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Before you can understand the false, you must know the true.  Herein lies the problem, many are confused about the nature of God because of minimization or outright ignoring of the words of God Himself-The Holy Scripture.

Also, many are looking for answers and expect them to come from a leader other than the proven word of scripture.

Often delusion is self-made. The scripture warns us ahead of time:

“Let no one deceive himself….”

1 Corinthians 3:18

“Do not be deceived….”

1 Corinthians 6:9

For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Romans  16:18

The subject of delusion is often avoided by many because:

1.) It is not politically correct to think or say that other people are being deceived.  It is asked by those who don’t know God’s word, “Who can judge something like that?”

2.) The possibility of deception in the religious world forces the fact that there is an enemy who works hard to deceive people.

3.) Deception is possible even in Christian churches!

4.) Most everyone who belongs to a church and a denomination believe they are not deceived nor can they possibly be deceived.  They think their denomination has all the truth and everyone else is confused.  Sounds like the religious people of Jesus day…the scribes and pharisees!

But let’s start with this question:  How can anyone know they are deceived or not?  Can we go by appearances?  No!

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”

Matthew 7:15

Deception does not come in a red suit and a pitchfork.  It comes looking nice and easy on the eyes. This is why delusion can be so powerful! It mimics truth and appeals to the sense of sight and sound.  It can come in a nice blue suit, with a white shirt and tie, white teeth, and carefully combed hair!  It can come in a massive church that inspires the senses!

Satan has used deception since he appeared as a serpent to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Since his fall from the heavenly courts, his desire has been to mar the image of God in people and destroy as many as possible.  Today, as his time comes to an end, he is compared to a hungry lion:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because  your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

1 Peter 5:8 

 He is called a murderer and  the father of lies:

“He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

John 8:44

“Even Satan can disguise himself to look like an angel of light! So it is no great thing if his servants disguise themselves to look like servants of righteousness. In the end they will get exactly what their actions deserve.”

2 Corinthians 11: 14-15

With our ancient enemy seeking to personally deceive us, the most pressing question is, “How can I keep myself from delusion?” It is all about knowing the true Jesus as described in  the entire Bible

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Delusion-For Religious People Only

Jesus reserved His most critical words and most urgent warnings for religious people.  Those who were not religious, or were considered “sinners” by the religious community, received a softer exchange of words, encouragement, and personal interaction.  The religious people of Jesus’ day asked the disciples,

“How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” Mark 2:16 

These words came from the scribes and Pharisees (Religious leaders and scholars)

Jesus heard them and said,

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Mark 2:17

His biggest enemies were the Bible scholars and religious people of the day.  His friends were not particularly gifted Bible students, nor did they look and act like  “church” members.

His true followers were average people, perhaps less educated, at least in the religious schools. They were not content with their lives and felt a need for the presence of the Lord. They were often meek and unassuming.  Jesus said it was these who would inherit the earth:

“Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the earth.”

Matthew 5:5

Their spiritual neediness made them more open to the words of Jesus and salvation, but also open to deceivers in sheep’s clothing.  If Jesus is not introduced properly to a spiritual needy person, they are subject to being fed by the deceiver.

On the other hand, those who feel that no need of a physician and are comfortable in their “religious” experience are, perhaps, in danger of being self-deceived.  It seems that there are much more warnings for the “comfortable” than for the needy.

Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—Revelation 3:17

Notice being wealthy is not about physical wealth, but spiritual wealth as demonstrated in its context. Perhaps when Jesus was talking more about perceived spiritual wealth than actual riches when He said,

 ^“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.” Mark 10:25

True, these words of Jesus came after speaking to the rich young ruler when “he went away sorrowful because he had great riches” Mark 10:25. But notice that he felt rich spiritually because he said,

“Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Mark 10:20

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To illustrate the types of  people Jesus sought and who became his friends and followers, I have made a shortlist:

1. A woman with multiple marriages and living with someone (John 4)
2. A group of men and women who were not of the same “faith” but were moved by the testimony of the woman with multiple marriages (John 4)
3. Someone with mental problems that had 7 demons (Luke 8:2)
4. Someone caught in adultery (John 8)
5. A hated tax collector (Matthew 9:9)
6. Simple Fishermen with violent tempers so great, Jesus gave them the name “Sons of Thunder.” (Mark 3:17). They wanted to kill the Samaritans because they did not accept Jesus (Luke 9:54)
7. Someone with a socially unacceptable disease (Matthew 8:1)
8. A hated soldier of an occupying country (Mathew 8:5)
9. Two people demon-possessed, but would be considered mentally sick in today’s society. (Matthew 8:28)
10. Someone with a blood disease of 12 years (Mark 5:25)
11. Someone who was blind (Mark 8:23)
12. Someone who could not speak (Mark 9:17)
13. A doubting follower in jail for political reasons and for preaching Christ (Matthew 11: 1-6)

“I will make the lame a remnant,
And the outcast a strong nation;
So the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion
From now on, even forever.” Micah 4:7

Again, the words of Jesus brings warning:

Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Mark 2:17

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In contrast, there were controlling religious leaders of Jesus’ day who were part of the big church, who constantly followed Jesus, but for the wrong reasons.  They show up on the scene early,  just before Jesus is baptized and makes his ministry public.  They came to John to be baptized.  John’s response seemed judgmental and harsh:

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” Matthew 3:7-9

The Pharisees and Sadducees were proud and content with their lives, tradition, and “denomination.”  Their character was marked by a “holier-than-thou” attitude who knew the truth and the Tanakh (The Old Testament)…at least that is what they thought.  But even more, they believed their lineage made them superior to everyone else.  This pride sought to destroy Jesus and anybody else who went against their beliefs:

They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.”

Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father.” John 8: 39-41

As Paul and James would later concur, it is the fruit of works that determine the identity of the tree. The Scribes and Pharisees responded to Jesus in a very accusatory way making reference to the events surrounding His birth.  In effect, they called him a bastard (Illegitimate child born to unmarried parents).

Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” John 8: 41, last part

Again, their smug holier-than-thou attitude shines through.  But Jesus says something that is powerful underneath the stern language. He starts with the idea that if they loved the God of Abraham they would love Him if they understood His words, but they are incapable of doing so.

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word” John 8:42

Their preconceived ideas about God and a misunderstanding of scripture led them to “not (being) able to listen to the words of Jesus.”

Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God…You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”

Matthew 22:29, John 5:39

Their knowledge of scripture and how to interpret it was all wrong because they missed seeing Jesus in it! They were self-deceived by twisting things to fit how they felt and not letting God’s word interpret itself.

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star (Jesus) rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God^[ spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1: 19-21

These words tell us that the prophetic word is confirmed.  How is it confirmed?  By its fulfillment!  Because of this, we should listen and follow it until the light of Jesus rises up in our hearts.  The prophecy cannot be interpreted by one person, it is done so by the men moved by the Holy Spirit to write Scripture.  As we compare scripture with scripture, we will see the light and understand.  How many people are willing to do this?

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Continuing with the argument by the religious leaders, Jesus says a truth that reveals their religion is a sham and they are something other than what they appear to the people:

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44

What a powerful scene to behold!  Here Jesus is telling the religious leaders and religious people who followed them that their father was the devil!  Why? It is the truth they are missing.  They have their own resources for “truth.”

Jesus is telling the truth, but they don’t want to hear it!

But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” John 8:45-47

It is sobering to know; even the scholars and religious people in the church who refuse to hear and follow the word of God are,simply not of God!  Is this possible?  Yes!.  If a person is not willing to obey God’s word, it jeopardizes their entrance into the kingdom of heaven!

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord,Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”

Luke 6:46

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Matthew 7:21-23

How important it is to know Jesus not just with lip service, but with obedience to the will of the Father in heaven.  Many of the church leaders today, take the extreme opposite view of the Scribes and the Pharisees who taught a strict legalistic form of religion. The teachers of today teach a cheap grace whereby obedience is minimized, eliminated, or spiritualized away!  But how can you be a follower of Jesus and refuse to obey His word?

Notice that it is the ones who know Jesus that obey the commandments of God who are His friends.  Those who have a dramatic experience of doing many wonders in His name are not safe.  It is the ones who do the will of the Father in heaven.  Jesus’ will and the will of the Father are not against each other.

For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

Matthew 12:50

We must beware of those who would minimize or eliminate obedience to the will of God as found in scripture.  Wouldn’t you agree?

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The religious leaders  have called Jesus a bastard and now they say He is demon-possessed.  Why would they say that?

“Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” John 8:48

Jesus defended himself and answered,

“I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.” And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.”

John 8:49-51

By dishonoring Jesus, they are dishonoring God the Father! Keeping the word of God results in never seeing death!  Conversely to not obey the word results in eternal death.

But notice how they react:

“Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say,‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?”

John 8:52-53

Follow their reasoning.  Jesus says if they keep His word they will never see death. But, they reason that since Abraham is dead and the prophets are dead, Jesus is claiming to be greater than Abraham! Just what are you saying, Jesus?  Then Jesus delivers the bombshell, he calls them a liar.  Abraham saw the coming of Jesus and was glad. But, what really threw them over the edge was when he claims the title Moses gave to the children of Israel as the One who was their God i.e., “I AM.”

“If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. 

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad. Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 

Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

John 8:54-58

Those who practiced “lawlessness” like the religious leaders of the day had missed Jesus in their studies and were self-deceived because they wanted scripture to say something that it did not.  They wanted a Christ that was like them and would free them from the bondage of their enemies.

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So, as we study the topic of delusion, we must be willing to do the will of God or we will be subject to strong delusion.

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

John 7:17

If we are not doing the will of God as shown clearly in the scripture, our worship is useless because we are following the philosophy of man:

And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

Mark 7:7

Let us not become so religious that we miss Jesus.  It is all about Him.  If we come into a relationship and know Him, we will be assured of eternal life

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

1 John 2:3

If we say that we know Him and disobey Him or lead a life of lawlessness, we deceive ourselves:

He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 John 2:4

Again, strong words from Jesus to religious people who claim to know Him.

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There are millions today that are deceived because they love not the truth.  But those who love the truth, but not willing to follow are in the same boat!

As we will see next time, the biggest deception of all time is upon us today.  It is in our newspapers and on our news.  It is cleaver, powerful, and some of it may appear to be from God.  We will consider this portion of scripture and how it relates to religion.  Please notice carefully the things that set up “strong delusion.”

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. “

2 Thessalonians 2: 8-12

We will study the Anti-Christ next time and how obedience and truth are part of the final test before the Lord returns to end our sin-sick world..

There is hope for you today if you simply ask the Lord to take charge of your life and direct your path through His word.  Begin to read and follow the words of our Creator.  Let it become your spiritual food and drink.  Let  it speak to you and you will find Jesus in its pages from Genesis to Revelation.

Jesus is real.  It is not about becoming religious.  It is about knowing Jesus and following Him.  Won’t you do that today?  Your life will be fuller and you will find peace with Jesus in mind and thought.  This experience is a Jesus journey that does not end at baptism.