Preacher’s Pulpit
Deception: The Devil’s Special Weapon
TEXT: Matt 24: 4 & 11
INTRODUCTION:
4105 planao- deceive
1) to cause to stray, to lead astray, to lead aside from the right way, to go astray, to wander, to roam about
2) metaphorically:
a) to lead away from the truth, to lead into error, to deceive
b) to be led into error
c) to be led aside from the path of virtue, to go astray, to sin
d) to sever or fall away from the truth; used of heretics
e) to be led away into error and sin
Notice careful what Jesus said in. . . (Mat 24:4) “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.”
991 blepo (blep’-o); take heed
to look at, behold, beware, lie, regard, see, take heed.
There is warning to beware that you are not lead from virtue into error and sin.
(Deu 11:16) “Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;”
It was deception that caused Mother Eve to partake of the fruit, be deceived and fall from grace!
(Gen 3:5) “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
Where and How does he use deception?
Notice how:
I. SATAN DECEIVES FOLKS BY TELLING THEM THEY HAVE NO SIN
(1 John 1:8) “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
A. Hardest thing to do today is to get people to see that they are sinners!
B. Preacher, I may not be all that I should be, but I’m not as bad as so and so.
C. But the Bible says,
(Rom 3:23) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
D. It is not what we have done, but who we are that makes us SINNERS!
(John 3:18) “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
E. Also, by denying we have sinned we call God a liar!
(1 John 1:10) “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
II. SATAN DECEIVES FOLKS BY TELL THEM THEY WILL GET AWAY WITH THEIR SIN
(Gal 6:7) “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
A. Contrary to Freudian theory of today, this is an Unchangeable Law from God!
B. Because of deception many think them self non accountable to God.
C. His Law Is Seen as Suggestions Instead of Commandments.
D. This Law of Sowing and Reaping is non respective of person:
1. Individual
2. Family
3. Church
4. Country
E. Sin is seen as a sickness instead of a violation of God’s Holy Law!
III. SATAN DECEIVES FOLKS BY BLINDING THEM TO THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION
(2 Cor 4:1-4) “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; {2}But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. {3}But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: {4}In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
A. Salvation by Works!
B. Salvation by baptism!
C. Salvation by church membership!
D. He is always trying to sidetrack the individual from the truth of God’s Grace
(Eph 2:8-9) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9}Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
E. Have you been deceived?
CONCLUSION:
There is nothing like being deceived. There is anger and fear. Someone who has been deceived is at loss for words or actions. This will be how you will stand before the Lord at the Judgment. Anger, fear, loss for words and actions. It will be too late and there will be nothing you can do. Cast into a devil’s hell forever as an unsaved person.
(Rev 20:10-15) “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. {11} And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. {12} And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. {13} And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. {14} And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. {15} And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
If you have been or think you might be deceived, why not right now come to Christ for the truth and be saved or sanctified? Come now!
(Rom 10:9-13) “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. {10} For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. {11} For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. {12} For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. {13} For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”