^“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17, 18 

The Devil is a deceiver. He is a liar. Jesus said he is the father or the architect of lies. He is the author of false religion.

The Bible says there are “many false prophets gone out into the world.”

Jesus said in Mark 13 “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.”

Just because someone says they are a preacher or a teacher doesn’t mean that they are from God. There are “many false prophets gone out into the world.” And most claim to be God-sent preachers or teachers and some of them even use the name of Baptist.

Many say things that are not Biblical and people believe them. You cannot believe everything you read or hear.

The Bible should be our rule, our standard, our plumb line…our foundation. Check everything you hear by the Word of God.

Several years ago I realized that I didn’t have to be able to explain everything in the Bible. But I believe everything the Bible says, even the things I cannot understand.There are some things that I am just not able to comprehend.

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” {Romans 11:33}

How to avoid deception?

Be careful of your emotions. Don’t be what Paul called silly or simple. {II Timothy 3:6, Romans 16:18} Just because someone seems nice doesn’t make them right.

Be rooted and grounded in love and and anchored in this Old Book.

Measure everything by the Word of God.

I promise you that one day you will be glad you did. – Shawn

“I thank God for a thousand things I cannot understand. When I cannot get to know the reason why, I say to myself, “Why should I know the reason why? Who am I, and what am I, that I should demand explanations of my God?” – C. H. Spurgeon from the sermon, Salvation by Knowing the Truth

Recommended Reading: Spurgeon v. Hyper-Calvinism by Iain Murray