The Bible is clear—there will be great deception in the last days. Jesus Himself warned, “Take heed that no one deceives you.” Paul wrote by the Spirit that some would “depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.” We are watching this take place in our time. Many Christians are being led astray because they are not prepared spiritually. They do not know the Word as they should. They have neglected prayer and fellowship with the Lord. Because of that, they are open to deception.
One of the greatest dangers in this hour is the subtlety of deception. It does not come wearing a label that says, “This is false.” It comes through teachings that sound good to the natural mind but are not rooted in the Word of God. It comes through emotional experiences that are mistaken for the Spirit of God. It comes through personalities and ministries that draw people after themselves instead of after Jesus.
The Spirit of God has said repeatedly through prophecy and through the written Word that many would be deceived in these last days. Yet many Christians act as though this could never happen to them. They believe they are too mature or too grounded to fall into error. That is pride, and it opens the door wide to deception.
One way deception comes is through a lack of spiritual preparation. Many believers have failed to spend the time with God that they need to stay strong in these times. They are spiritually weak because they have neglected the Word. They are spiritually dull because they have neglected prayer. In that condition, they cannot discern truth from error.
God will always prepare His people if they will listen. But many will not listen. They choose entertainment over time with the Lord. They choose the opinions of man over the truth of the Word. Because of this, their spiritual discernment is poor. When false teachings or false movements arise, they are swept along because they are not grounded.
Another way Christians are deceived is through wrong associations. The Bible says, “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” If you continually listen to voices that are not speaking truth, it will affect you. Even if you think you are strong, it will dull your spiritual edge. Many have been led into error by sitting under wrong teaching or by being influenced by believers who are not walking in truth.
Some Christians are deceived because they desire manifestations more than they desire the Word. They run after signs and wonders but do not judge what they see by the Scriptures. The devil can produce lying signs and wonders. If you do not know the Word, you will not know the difference. The Holy Spirit will never lead you contrary to the Word. If you stay full of the Word, you will not be deceived.
Another reason Christians will be deceived is that many are rejecting sound doctrine. They want messages that please the flesh. They want to hear about blessings and prosperity but do not want messages about holiness, obedience, and the fear of the Lord. Paul wrote that in the last days many would heap up teachers to themselves, having itching ears. This is happening now. If you only feed on messages that appeal to your flesh, you will be an easy target for deception.
There is only one safeguard against deception: a strong foundation in the Word of God, a life of prayer, and a heart that is humble and teachable before the Lord. You must judge everything you hear by the Word. You must test the spirits. You must stay full of the Holy Spirit. If you neglect these things, you will be in danger.
I have seen believers who once walked strong with God become deceived because they did not take heed to these warnings. They opened the door through pride, through neglect, or through wrong associations. In some cases, they ignored the checks of the Holy Spirit. When you override the warnings of your spirit, you open yourself up to deception.
In these days, it is more important than ever to stay spiritually alert. Do not assume you cannot be deceived. Take heed. Stay in the Word. Spend time praying in the Spirit. Listen to the inward witness. Test everything by the written Word of God. Stay humble before the Lord. If you will do these things, you will not be deceived.
The Spirit of God is speaking clearly. We must have ears to hear. If we will stay close to Him, He will keep us on the right path. Above all, stay full of the Word and the Spirit.
