How Do You Keep From Being Deceived?

On this past Sunday, I preached from Mark 13:1-23 on "Watch out that no one deceives you". You can catch the full sermon from our archive.  But here are some points from the sermon to address: How do you keep from being deceived?

"And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand." Mark 13:21-23 (ESV)

One of the best ways for you to avoid being deceived is to read and study the Bible in context for yourself! You must compare what people are saying in the name of God against the Word of God. Do the work of a Berean.

"The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." Acts 17:10-11 (ESV)

The Berean listened with eagerness to Paul preaching the Word but checked the Scriptures to validate what Paul was preaching. Take no one's word for it.  If the Apostle didn't get a pass, no one should!

Another important way that you can also avoid being deceived is to pray that the Spirit will illuminate the Scriptures to you.

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come." John 16:13 (ESV)

An additional way that you can also avoid being deceived is to fellowship with other believers. Being an active part of a Bible-believing church will help you stay on course and correct any errors in your theology. Every Christian should be a part of the church where there are under-shepherds (pastors) who will properly use God's Word to instruct, rebuke, and correct.

And a big way for you to avoid being deceived is to be committed to the will of God. We must be willing to give up anything or go anywhere He leads us and do anything He commands us to do. In these increasingly evil times, the safest place to be is in the will of God. If you are not in the will of God (by engaging in on-going patterns of sin), you leave yourself unprotected and open to the attacks of the devil and his false teachers to deceive and destroy you right where you are.

Watch out that no one deceives you!