Guard Against Deception: Recognizing Satan's Tactics

Be Not Deceived Greek Word – “Planao” Cause one to Roam from Safety or Truth Go Astray Be Deceived or Seduce Wander Out Of The “Way” – John 14:6

God’s enemy is the most deceitful of all John 8: 44 It is because you cannot hear My word. 44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

I Timothy 2: 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. ( Rom. 5: 12 - Wherefore, as for one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sin.

Deception is “His” most Effective Tool Revelation 12: 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

The Christian must remain vigilant. Romans16: 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

I. Christians are commanded not to allow “Ourselves” to be deceived.

Paul repeated this same command. Galatians 6: 7– Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. Ephesians 5: 6– Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

John also repeated this command I John 3: 7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; ….

Satan’s deceptions have been a problem since the Garden of Eden.

Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw : 1} that the tree was good for food, 2} and that it was a delight to the eyes, 3} and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

Satan still uses the same deceptions I John 2: 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

II. Satan attempts to deceive us in many different ways.

Satan deceives with flattering words. II Timothy 4: 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

Romans 16: 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

Satan uses bad company to deceive I Corinthians 15: 33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals.“ Psalms 1:1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wickedness, nor stand in the paths of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers.

Satan uses sin to deceive people. Romans 7: 11 for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. Sin is addictive and the penalty is death … Romans 3: 23– the wages of sin is death

We must all heed the warning. Hebrews 3: 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

III. None is so deceived as he who deceives himself.

Jeremiah 17: 9 The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it? James 1: 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.

Apostles John and Paul both warn : I John 1: 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. Galatians 6: 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

I Corinthians 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. Some think themselves too sophisticated to believe in an unseen realm.

Matthew 7: 21-23 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23 And then I will declare to them,'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'

IV. How can a man (woman) of God prevent himself from being deceived ?

Christians must develop a mindset (Romans 12:2) which requires us to prove what is the will of God in all things. Take Heed that no “Man” Deceive You Matthew 24:4 * Study *Question *Meditate * Apply

Romans 12: 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ephesians 5: 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

We must develop this attitude. Acts 17: 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

Faithfulness = Applied Truth. John 8: 31-32 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." ( cf – John 17: 17 )

We can only be deceived if “US” fail to measure everything by the one true standard. “The Bible” Prove – 1 Thessalonian 5: 21 Test – 1 John 4:1 Acceptable – Ephesians 5: 10

Guard Against Deception: Recognizing Satan's Tactics