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Tonight’s sermon title has often found its way into fear mongering theology and social media comments. But what does that actually mean? To be deceived.
Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines “deceived” as, “to cause to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid.” “To give a false impression.”
Yeshua (Jesus) himself said in Matthew 24:4, “…Beware that no one leads you astray.” How does that happen?
To make my point tonight let me ask you this. Have you been told the following is in the Bible? Or treated like it is?
- “God helps those who help themselves.”
- While frequently cited as biblical, this phrase does not appear anywhere in Scripture. It is actually a secular proverb that traces back to Aesop’s fables and was popularized by Benjamin Franklin in ‘Poor Richard’s Almanac’.
- “Money is the root of all evil.”
- This is a misquotation of 1 Timothy 6:10. the Bible actually says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.”
- “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
- Although an excellent hygiene tip, this saying is NOT found in the Bible. The phrase was popularized by the Methodist leader John Wesley in a sermon, though its exact origins likely predate him.
- “To thine own self be true.”
- Often cited as if it were a Proverb, this well-known saying is actually a famous line from William Shakespear’s play “Hamlet”.
- “God will not give you more than you can handle.”
- This is a misquote of 1 Corinthians 10:13. The verse specifically states that God will provide a way out when you are facing temptation, rather than making a blanket promise regarding general life burdens.
- “The lion shall lie down with the lamb.”
- While Isaiah 11:6 paints a picture of a peaceful harmony in the animal kingdom, the actual verse pairs the wolf (not the lion) and the lamb.
- Adam and Eve ate an apple.
- The Bible never specifies what fruit Adam and Eve ate in the Garden of Eden. The text refers only to the “fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
- Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
- The original Hebrew text does not specifically mention a whale. Instead, it uses the term “dag gadol”, which simply translates to “a great fish”.
Why would I bring up these examples? Because of deception. If we don’t know what the Bible says and within context we can be manipulated. Our understanding of who God is can be twisted. Our faith can be used as a weapon against us. We can be coerced into hating ourselves and others. Do not be deceived!
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” -1 John 4:1
We as believers should be testing every claim that is spewed our way. Heck don’t even take my word for it. Dive in! Look even past the English translation. Look at the ancient Hebrew and Greek manuscripts! Look at how the original audience and authors would have believed! Look at the culture it was written in! Context people!
“but test everything; hold fast to what is good;” 1 Thessalonians 5:21
“The simple believe everything, but the clever consider their steps.” -Proverbs 14:15
Examine all teachings but don’t be naive. Don’t believe something just because someone told you so. Not even your pastor! Look at scholarship from all sides. Not Google. No AI! Do the work!
“That very night the brothers and sisters sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea, and when they arrived they went to the Jewish synagogue. These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, including not a few Greek women and men of high standing.” -Acts 17:10-12
Examine the Scriptures daily. Do your research.
The Bible tells us that deception goes beyond intellect. It is spiritual.
- Idolatry
- The worship of anything or anyone outside of Yahweh (God).
- False prophecy
- Missing the mark
- Sin
This plays right into the Enemy’s hands. The Advisory. Ha-Satan. Whose true nature shows up in its bad fruit. It’s destruction.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.” -Matthew 7:15-20
And so, when people say or leave nasty comments quoting Bible verses at you. Remember this lesson. Do not be deceived! Deep study PROTECTS you!
Read your Bible. Do not fail to act. Protect yourself. Have ultimate faith in the Lord who sent His Holy Son, Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus the Messiah). For all people. For all time. So that none shall perish but have everlasting life.
Notes
Pastor