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Have You Been Deceived?
Bible study on deception.

Someone who is deceived has accepted "as true or valid what is false or invalid" (Webster). Likewise, one who deceives others convinces them to accept, as truth, something false.

There are numerous warnings in the Bible concerning deceit, deception, deceivers, and being deceived by self or others.

One of the best Biblical examples of deception is referenced by Paul in 1 Timothy 2:14 saying: "And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression." Eve knew the truth. She knew that God had commanded her not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But, the serpent convinced her that God had told her a lie saying: " . . . You shall not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Gen. 3:4-5).

The Bible warns against deceptive teachers (2 Thess. 2:3, 10). Paul, in his graphic warning to the Corinthians, says: "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works" (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

The apostles invited scrutiny. Paul commends the Bereans who "were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). The apostles were not afraid of scrutiny because they were "not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully" (2 Cor. 4:2). And they knew that honest investigation would result in many believing the truth (Acts. 17:12).

The Bible also warns of self-deception (1 Cor. 3:18). Paul demonstrates self-deception saying: "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to the flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life" (Gal. 6:7-8). Frankly, we may deceive ourselves and others, but we cannot deceive God.

Finally, we have a personal responsibility to see that we are not deceived. Paul commands the Ephesians: "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience" (Eph. 5:6). And to Timothy Paul writes: "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron" (1 Tim. 4:1-2).

As Eve was deceived by the serpent, so are those who do "not receive the love of the truth" (2 Thess. 2:10). Jesus says: "If you abide in My word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free" (Jn. 8:31-32). Herein is the solution to avoiding deception - seek the truth, love the truth, obey the truth, abide in truth.