March 15, 2002, Vol.1, No.4.

The Danger of Deception

by Keith Sharp

A friend recently asked why good people who are quite knowledgeable of the Bible believe doctrines that contradict each other. This is indeed a real and perplexing problem. In the various denominations there are leaders who have doctorates in theology, whose lives are free from scandal, who are well versed in Hebrew and Greek, who have studied in depth all the books of the Bible, yet who disagree with each other on even the fundamentals of faith. Catholic theologians teach that the pope is the head of the church, that church tradition is authoritative, and that sacraments administered by ordained priests are essential to salvation. Equally learned Protestant theologians insist the Scriptures alone are authoritative and salvation is by faith alone. The examples could be multiplied almost endlessly. Why are learned, apparently sincere people divided over what the Bible teaches?

The Jewish leaders of the first century, although they were the greatest scholars of the world in the Old Testament Scriptures, were nonetheless ignorant of the meaning of the Scriptures (Matthew 9:10-13; 12:7; 22:29; Luke 19:42; 23:34; Acts 3:17; 13:27; Romans 10:1-3). Saul of Tarsus, though he was exceedingly well educated in the Law (Acts 22:3) and always maintained a good conscience (Acts 23:1), was nevertheless ignorant (1 Timothy 1:12-13). There are many religious leaders today who, despite the facts they are eminently knowledgeable and have clear consciences, are ignorant of divine truth. How can this be?

The vast majority of people don't understand the Bible simply because they have not studied it. They are similar to Israel of old. The Lord speaking through the prophet Hosea lamented of Israel, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) People of this category need to be convinced of the importance of Bible study.

On the other hand, there are many who have studied but failed to understand. The Master rebuked the Jewish leaders thus:

They studied the Scriptures diligently, but they were unwilling to accept the saving truth the Word of God taught. They were therefore ignorant of the most basic of biblical truths, that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God.

What causes studious, zealously religious people to remain ignorant of saving truth? Both the Master and His ambassadors repeatedly warn us not to allow others to deceive us (Matthew 24:4-5; Mark 13:5-6; Luke 21:8; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 15:33; Galatians 6:7; Ephesians 4:14; 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 John 3:7) and not to deceive ourselves (1 Corinthians 3:18; James 1:22,26). The simple fact is, myriads of studious, zealous, religious folks are deceived into believing a lie.

We must beware of the process by which Satan leads us to unbelief. If we allow it to do so, sin deceives us and hardens us to the truth (Hebrews 3:13). The process is simple but diabolical. One goes astray in his heart (Hebrews 3:10,12), he refuse to believe the truth (Hebrews 3:12,19), he disobeys the Lord (Hebrews 3:18), and rebels against Him (Hebrews 3:8,15).

From the very beginning people have faced the danger of deception. Eve was deceived by Satan and sinned (Genesis 3:6; 1 Timothy 5:14). We too can be deceived into sinning (2 Corinthians 11:3). Deception led the Gentiles to live in gross sin (Ephesians 4:17-24). But the Jews were also deceived (Titus 3:3). It is not different today than in past centuries (2 Timothy 3:1,13).

Is there an antidote to prevent deception? Yes, there is one attitude you can have, and there are two actions you can take to prevent being deceived.

You must have "the love of the truth."

Being "fair-minded" will lead you to listen to those who claim to teach divine truth with an open mind and an open Bible. Be open to learn new truth, but don't let your mind be a spiritual garbage pail to receive whatever slop false teachers throw out. Search "the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things" are "so." Never accept uncritically what any man, and that includes me, teaches. Test what is said by the Bible.