Don’t be Deceived

The disciples had gathered around Jesus and were asking him, “Tell us when will these things be (the last days)? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of this age?”

Jesus’ first words were, “Take heed that no one deceives you.”  That’s his first words? They were asking what the days would look like (thinking they’d experience them). And Jesus says, “Don’t be deceived.”?

I thought I better look up the Greek word here. What is deception in this context? It means to be led away from the right way, to be led away from truth, to be seduced.  Wow.  

The enemy isn’t going to come to seduce us with horns and a pitchfork. Hell use what looks beautiful, alluring, and enticing to lead us away from truth. At the beginning, it may just be a little step away from truth—and even sound like truth. But the enemy’s intent is to destroy us with lies. 

It’s imperative to be hypervigilant with truth today. The Word of God IS truth! If you’re not reading the Bible, you won’t know the truth. You have nothing to compare with what you’re hearing. You’re already set up for failure. 

Stay alert!  Jesus’ first words when talking about these days was, “Don’t be deceived.” He knew we’d be bombarded with lies, half-truths, and near-truths. He knew that it would be hard to avoid deception. And his desire is that we finish well.  

Don’t be deceived.