Beware of Deceivers

How can a believer know when he is being deceived? 

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 warns: 

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (NIV)

If Satan masquerades as an angel of light, how are we able to discern truth?  I believe Genesis 3:1 provides the start of the answer:

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (NIV, emphasis added)

Scripture states that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), and Genesis 3:1 shows us that when Satan questions God’s Word, he always mixes in a little truth with his lies. Those who do not know God’s Word, remain in God's Word, and test every belief against God's Word are more vulnerable to his deceptions. 

Sadly, Satan has more knowledge of Scripture than many believers do today, including leaders of highly visible churches who are introducing false and dangerous doctrines and shepherding their sheep right to the slaughter. Spiritual blindness prevents them from seeing that they are playing into Satan’s hands by focusing on the attainment of earthly rewards instead of the promise of our future reward, which is to rule and reign with Christ Jesus when He returns to establish His millennial kingdom.

But this has all been foretold in Scripture:

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

A preparing bride takes heed of the sound advice provided in Thessalonians 5:19-22:

Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. 

Test everything. 

Hold on to the good.    

Avoid every kind of evil.

Run to the shelter of God’s Word, beloved, and abide there.