DOMINION OVER DARTS OF DECEPTION (3)

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to DECEIVING SPIRITS and doctrines of demons” – 1 Timothy 4:1

The End-times uniquely call Believers to exercise DOMINION over DARTS of DECEPTION: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to DECEIVING SPIRITS and doctrines of demons” (1Tim.4:1). Deception is driven by deceiving spirits, manifests through demonic doctrines and lies, and is aimed at swaying vulnerable hearts from the Truth!

Here are four ways to guard against Darts of Deception, and thereby remain strong, liberated and living in the truth!

Define Deception and its Reality: Anyone can be subject to deception. No one is immune. In fact, whoever thinks he or she can’t be deceived is already deceived! Deception means being swept away by a wrong idea while one is convinced that it is truth; believing as truth what one didn’t believe previously, as it happened in the Garden of Eden. Deception often derives from doubtful, fearful questioning. Adam and Eve believed what God said about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil until another voice lured them to question that truth: Is that what He really said? Is He trying to keep something from us? There questioning led them astray!

To be deceived is to be “led away” by lies. Jesus says: “Take heed that you NOT BE DECEIVED. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them” (Lk.21:8). Paul warned Timothy about End-time deception: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4). “Itching ears” simply want to be told what they want to hear. They want God’s message restyled to fit the times and flow of society, mixing truth and falsehood until the accurate picture of Christ and Christianity is no longer presented.

Be Proactive against Deception: Knowing how easy it is to be swept into deception, Paul warned us to “take heed” – beware, consider carefully, prepare ahead of time to judge those things that present themselves as truth. Rather than wait until something comes up to try and figure out if it is truth or deception, we should discern quickly and accurately, using the knowledge we have built up (v.16). We get ready as we spend regular time in God’s Word, not allowing the input of the world outweigh the input of God’s Word in our lives. Time invested praying and fellowshipping with the Lord is great preparation for standing firm in the truth we already know, against any strange infiltrating thoughts.

Compare Everything to the Word of God: Whenever an idea, philosophy or doctrine is presented, we should simply place it beside the Word! Many agents of evil are out in the world, willing and ready to deceive especially when it helps them to justify their sinful living. They pressure others to accept as true or valid, what is not true. It is deception to think one can plant apple seeds and harvest pears; one can plant seeds of hate and reap life and love; or seeds of anger and reap peace: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal.6:7).

Live By Faith (Heb.10:38-39): There will always be challenges in this world, but people of Faith face them by the Wisdom of the Word. Faith is the Victory (1Jh.5:4). The world will tell us to expect defeat, failure, disease, broken relationships, and financial trouble. When we live by faith, we believe and live by the truth in God’s Word: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phi.4:13); “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Lk.1:37); “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mk.9:23).

As we meditate on these ways of guarding against deception, the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth, to stand firm now and always!