Matthew, Mark and Luke record an interesting verbal interchange between Jesus and His disciples. It concerns the “end of days.” They asked Him, “tell us about the sign of the end.” Jesus’ initial response was almost ominous, “watch that no one deceive you”…
Have you ever been deceived? How did it make you feel?
Have you ever considered how much of our society is built on deception? We are told that gambling is remedy for all our financial woes, that pornography is not immoral, that violent and immoral TV is not harmful, that sexual immorality is okay, that homosexuality is not really a sin, and that there is NOT ABSOLUTE TRUTH.
We are told this while we continue to see our culture spiral downward in almost every area which truly counts.
Results of all this deception is young people without a cogent understanding of moral moorings. And without those moorings – society is racked with bedlam.
You don’t believe this? Why is it that we can kill unborn babies and call it choice? Why is it that we can pass out condoms and call it safe sex and at the same time not pass out the Bible which is a huge supporter of safe sex? (By the way, the safe sex concept from the Bible is the only true form of safe sex that works)
We could list, name, and explain all these illusions and deception forged on our society, but the truth is, every person in this building both knows and understands this truth.
We have been studying the epistle of 1 John. We find ourselves today in chapter 3, reading verses 4-9. Prayer
Verse 7 says, “Little Children, let no one deceive you.” Hey says this in the midst of several serious topics which He must have felt “believers” would be attacked, harassed, and deceived on all of these issues. Let me suggest four areas which He tells us to not be deceived;
1) DON’T BE DECEIVED ABOUT SIN.
I submit to you that we have become too flippant, too careless, too skewed in our view of sin. Today we are literally told that “sin is no big deal” or the little/big lie.
The Bible still says, “sin” is breaking the law. This is God’s law. It is the law which displays corruptness in each of us. When the law says, “don’t steal” and we slip that pen from work in our pockets or take that paper from our desks to our house, the law has revealed our sinfulness.
The Bible says that sin reveals our connection. This passage is loaded with concepts which disturb us. The last part of verse 6 says, “Everyone who sins has not seen him or known him.” Verse 8 begins by saying, “the one who commits sin is of the devil…” Verse 9 then puts the nail in the coffin when John writes, “everyone who has been born of God does not sin.”
Is there anyone here whom that frightens as badly as it does me? Three times in this one passage it tells us that Sin is of Satan, the one who commits sin is of Satan, and those born of God does not Sin.
Contrast these biblical teachings with the modern “attitude” today; “sin is not that big of deal”, “oh, it was just a little sin”, “it was just a little white lie”, “no one got hurt”, “live and let live”…and the list goes on.
Remind you of a couple of things; first: there are no biblical degrees of sin; Next, SIN is what crucified Jesus: finally, sin identifies us what Satan.
Don’t be deceived about sin.
2) DON’T BE DECEIVED ABOUT SATAN.
In the 1970’s Flip Wilson’s character “Geraldine” put an almost acceptable face on the Devil as he made popular the phrase, “the devil made me do it.” While there is truth in this statement, the seriousness is lost.
Verse 8 speaks clearly about the Devil, whom we know as Satan. (Read)
With the first mention of Satan in Genesis 3, we discover his character, his characteristics, and his cause. HCB calls the serpent the most “cunning.” Other translations use “clever” or “crafty”. We need to get our minds around what this means and how it relates to his deception. He is the father of darkness, lies, opposed to God, full of pride.
Satan’s first recorded words reveal Satan’s purpose and persona, “did God really say…” And with this subtle question, the fall of mankind began.
Satan is not on the defensive with believers, he is on the offensive. Here’s the truth: He is on the offensive because believers have been deceived in their thinking about him and thus, it has been a long time since he was attacked. So, as a roaring lion – he roams seeking whom he may devour.
This explains why George Gallup says there is no ethical difference in church goers and non-churched. This explains why immorality is so rampant in the church, why so many clergymen fall, so many church members give in; the list goes on and on and Satan is having a heyday. Don’t be deceived.
3) DON’T BE DECEIVED ABOUT SELF.
From even a cursory reading of the Bible, it appears that the writers and thus, the Divine writer, were truly concerned about deception. Warnings for being deceived come in the gospel, in Paul’s letters, James, John’s writings, and even the revelation.
Herein is our great problem; not just deception, but also self-deception. Our present thinking is: “I know I sin, but it’s just a little sin, not a big deal at all.”
The text begins with “everyone who commits sin also breaks the law.” Not just “some” of us break the law, but “all”. Romans 3:23 enlarges this truth when it says, “all have sinned”. Whoever breaks God’s law is indeed a lawbreaker, a sinner, displaying Satan in their life, and is not in HIS family. Further, based on Rom. 6:23 are doomed for eternity. (salvation call)
Now, how about a test for believers;
The first part of verse 6 is a sobering principle, “everyone who remains in Him does not sin.” How about verse 9, “everyone who has been born of God does not sin, because HIS seed remains in him; he is not able to sin, because He has been born of God.”
This is speaking of habitual, lifestyle, intentional, practice of sin. Illus: It’s like a lawyer who practices.
Sin, Satan, and Self are all pretty big deals in this matter of being deceived. The consequences are great. In fact, to be deceived at any point is to be deceived at all points and the results are an eternity apart from God and heaven.
Because you cannot take care of your sin, self and Satan by yourself. Which brings us to our last thought
4) DON’T BE DECEIVED ABOUT THE SAVIOR.
Verse 8 tells us that HE came to “destroy the Devil’s (Satan’s) works. What are those works?
To deceive God’s crown creation and to lead them to disobey God. ILLUS: Eve in the Garden
To deceive and lead to disobey God, to tempt people to “SIN”.
Candidly, Jesus came to overthrown Satan’s influence in the world. Satan promotes judgmental – the Savior promotes caring, Satan promotes division- the Savior promotes harmony, Satan promotes immorality – the Savior promotes purity. The list goes on and on.
One quick mental picture will be worth a thousand words. Satan promotes immorality of all types. Jesus promotes safe sex that works, one man for one woman. Why does Jesus do that? Is He just trying to be restrictive, maybe be a prude? Or is it that He knows the end result of immorality? Picture that woman, now in her 40’s, she spent the last 20 years making her living on the streets as a prostitute. Hair matted, coldness in her spirit, she functions but seems to have little zest for life? Why? The most precious thing she had to give to her one and only was shared with thousands and she is left emotionally empty and hollow.
Jesus came to destroy--not the prostitute—but Satan’s works which cause her to become a prostitute
He came as it says in verse 5 to take away sin This morning I ask you to answer a couple of questions: have you allowed your self to be deceived? Have you allowed Jesus to “lift” your
