Defending Against Deception

Saturday, November 02, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.”

Ephesians 5:5–7

The first-century church at Ephesus was a body of believers surrounded by a godless and immoral culture. When Paul wrote to them, he warned them of a particular danger—that people would try to paint sin as not really being all that bad. We face much the same problem today. All around us there are powerful voices being raised to deceive people regarding what is acceptable to God. His standards have not changed, and no human opinion—in either the church or the culture—will change them.

Our responsibility is to follow God no matter who tries to deceive us into doing wrong. The ability of people to try to rationalize or justify sinful behavior is profound. Often those who are doing wrong attempt to either convince others to join them in their sin, or at least convince them that it isn’t so bad. We see the “gospel” of acceptance being preached in schools, media, entertainment, politics and even in some churches. But it is a false gospel with deadly consequences.

This downplaying of the destructiveness of sin may appeal to those who desire an excuse for disobedience, but it does not change the reality. Sin is still wrong, and it still brings disastrous results. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Rather than allowing our hearts and minds to be filled with the lies of the world, we must fill them with the Word of God. Only in the Bible do we find the wisdom and strength to identify and overcome temptation.

Today's Growth Principle: 

We must allow what God says to carry more weight than popular opinion does to defend against deception.