By Jim Miller
Southern Maine Church of Christ
When a person has been led to believe a thing to be true when it is not, the person has been deceived. God warned people in the Old Testament against being deceived. “Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them” (Deut. 11:16).
The New Testament contains warnings against being deceived. “Let no man deceive himself . . .” (I Cor. 3:18). “Be not deceived,” are the words of Paul in I Corinthians 15:33. Paul warned the Galatians, “Be not deceived . . .” (Gal. 6:7). The Hebrew letter contains a warning about deceit. “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13).
When a teacher can persuade a person to believe a false doctrine the person has been deceived. Solomon said, “He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit” (Prov. 12:17). The Bible warns us against false teachers. John said, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world”.
Are you being deceived or will you study to show yourself approved?
Howdy David great article.