THURSDAY, JANUARY 12
2 CORINTHIANS 11:3-15
PROVERBS 19:27

"Cease… to hear the instruction
that causeth to err from
the words of knowledge."

SATAN CAUSES DECEPTION

Satan works by deception. "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" (2 Cor 11:14). He deceived Eve through his subtlety. Likewise, there will come false teachers and deceitful workers who shall transform themselves into devoted Christians. To transform is to alter the outward scheme of things or disguise themselves so as to deceive. The deception is very subtle and cunning; Christians must be watchful and prayerful. They lay before the believers circumstances that may appear sincere and noble, yet contradicting to the mandate God has given to His people. They come to preach another Jesus, another spirit and another gospel. They come with their chocolate-coated preaching that conceals the deadly poison of deceit. They present a "better gospel," a "more enlightened" exposition of the Scriptures and a "safer venture" to reach out to the lost.

They master the theme of "grace" which goes off-tangent from what the Bible teaches. They preach it to lead the people to antinomianism and claims that the moral law is already abrogated. They do not understand that without the law, there is no grace and grace is made gracious because of the law. They lead believers to live lawless lives that lead to immorality, such as adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness and all kinds of sin which Paul declares, "they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal 5:21).

Be warned of these preachers and teachers who come with smooth words to entice men to believe in their false doctrines. Their desire is to get richer and richer! All they seek for is the money of the people who are deceived. Be discerning! Seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit indwelling in you.

THOUGHT: Am I living according to God’s Word?
PRAYER: "Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise; For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue" (Ps 109:1-2).