There is a lot of concern among many in the church about deception. Rightfully so. We are warned repeatedly in the Bible about false teachers and false prophets and about how deception will abound in the last days. We look across the modern landscape and say amen to those scriptures, realizing they are being fulfilled, to some degree, before our eyes as people buy into one crazy ideology or doctrine after another. Perhaps we’ll see this to an even greater extent before too long if things don’t change. 

So, as I acknowledged above, it is right and good to have a concern about deception. But, how far should we go in our quest to avoid it? Should we shun public places where information of all kinds are freely disseminated? Should we discontinue interaction with people across denominational lines? Should we build a bunker in our backyard and hide? 

These ideas might sound extreme to some, but there are people who do these things. And while some defensive maneuvers are necessary in every war, we mustn’t lose sight of the fact that every war that is waged effectively has a strong offensive. And, yes, we clearly are in a war. 

Finding Balance

Where, then, is the balance and how can we find safety while on the offensive? 

First of all, I would say that there is more safety in being on the offensive than the defensive if you are doing what God has called you to do. We can see this lesson clearly spelled out in the parable of the talents. The man who hid his talent out of fear, was the one who suffered most in the end. 

Besides, there are many scriptures that tell us not to be afraid and give us assurance of God’s protection, if we are under His authority. But there is one scripture in particular that I came across that seems to hold the real key to our protection against deception. It is quite simple and yet profound:

Motives And Authority

John 7:17-18  ¹⁷ If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. ¹⁸ The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. – ESV 

When Jesus came on the scene there was controversy as to whether or not His teachings were deceptive and whether He was the Christ or just another false messiah. There were many false messiahs in those days. But He laid out a simple litmus test for the people that we can apply to our own situations. To the one being led by a shepherd or receiving a teaching or prophecy, make sure that it is your will to do God’s will. This is your first line of defense against any potential deception. 

Are Our Own Motives Pure?

Make sure your motives and intentions are pure before God and that you have no hidden agendas of your own. If you can be sure of this through a heart exam by the Holy Spirit, you will then be able to make a clear judgement of the ideas presented to you and of the person presenting them. You will be able to see if a shepherd, teacher or prophet is seeking his own glory or the glory of the Father. If they are self-sacrificial and keep pointing all glory to the Father, being willing to do good in secret and expose their own faults, then they are sent by the Father to do His work for His glory. 

But if you run across someone who is constantly inflating others’ view of himself, or is seeking self-validation, then he is looking to glorify himself and not the Father. He is therefore operating on his own authority and it is our duty to disregard his words as potentially laced with various degrees of deception. 

Conclusion

It really boils down to the condition of our heart and where our allegiances and the allegiances of those we follow, lie. We face incredibly deceptive times. But let’s not shrink back or fear. Let’s look to the words of Jesus to guide us through when things get murky.