Deceiving and Being Deceived

Introduction:

* Spiritual Deception – Turning man’s heart from the words of God.

* Prevalence of misquoting, misrepresenting, or misapplying the Word of God today.

* Be careful of new ways of explaining the Bible and experiencing God.

* Beware of people who continually pursue dreams and visions from God.

Verses to read: <2 Timothy 3:10-17> 

All scripture is God’s breathed = inspired, inerrant and infallible word of God

Do not be cavalier about it

<Rel 22:18-19>: I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: “If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

For teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness

Note: Without the scripture, Christ and Christianity can mean anything.

The life of a truth abiding believer

<2 Timothy 3:10-11>: You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

• Teaching/belief and his way of life in sync.
• One that faces suffering and persecution for the truth he abides in.
• The Promise: The Lord will rescue him from all trials.
• Always ready for a reality: All who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

How do we recognize those who are being deceived?

• From the things they seek: feelings, blessings, experiences, healings, deliverance, angels, visions, dreams, prophetic word, etc. (byproducts of the Christian faith, and not Christ Himself)
• Pastor John Piper says: “The Gospel does not offer to the sinners want naturally”.

* <Psalm 119:160>: The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

* <John 8:32>: And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. He has promised to those who love him.