THE FRUIT OF DECEPTION

God, in His creation, did not want to make robots to serve and love Him; rather, He created humans and gave them free will. Thus, mankind had the ability to choose whom they would love, serve, and obey. Along with the right to choose came the consequences of the choices made.

Galatians 6:7-8 states, ^“Don’t be misled; remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it: a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows! If he sows to please his own wrong desires, he will be planting seeds of evil and he will surely reap a harvest of spiritual decay and death; but if he plants the good things of the Spirit, he will reap the everlasting life that the Holy Spirit gives him” (TLB).

Unfortunately, in our present world, many are making the wrong choices and doing things that are contrary to and displeasing to God. Lawlessness, disobedience, killing, sinful acts, whoremongering, lying, people departing from the faith as they give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils have increased, and much of this is due to the spirit of deception. Many of these, whose actions are unrighteous, are listening to erroneous voices.

As recorded in Matthew 24, during one of the last group conversations Jesus had with His disciples, He repeatedly warned them not to be deceived. He revealed that charlatans, false prophets, and false Christs would come with messages to deceive, and many would believe them.

Paul also warned believers in Colossians 2:8, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Ephesians 5:6 against being misled by worldly philosophies and traditions that are contrary to the  Word, false teachers whose actions were duplicitous, and being fooled by those who justify sin. Additionally, Peter in 2 Peter 2:1-3, 2 Peter 3:17, 1 Peter 2:1, and 1 Peter 3:10 cautions believers about the fruit of deception, for both the deceiver and those being deceived will eventually be judged and eternally separated from God.

Finally, since the Word informs us of the pitfalls of deception, all believers need to pray for the Spirits of Discernment and Truth to be fully operational in their lives. Pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit, firm and vigilant in the faith, and not to be led astray.