Deceived
Matthew 7:13 – 27
By: JB Hall
Introduction: Everyone hates to be deceived; to think something to be true, or real, or genuine, only to find out it is not, that you have been deceived. Deception is not only disappointing; it can be very destructive, depending on the type of deception that has occurred.
Spiritual deception is the most dangerous of all deceptions, for it has to do with where we will spend eternity; and also with the quality of our lives while we are in this present world.
God hates spiritual deception; and in His word has given us good, clear information to help us distinguish between truth and error.
Today we want to examine some spiritual deceptions that commonly occur in people’s lives; deceptions that if not exposed and avoided, can spell disaster for those who have been deceived.
1. Verses 13 & 14 – The Deceptive Gate
A. Here, we are introduced to 2 gates – a strait, or narrow gate; and a broad, or wide gate.
B. We’re told that many enter the broad, or wide gate; but that few find the narrow gate.
C. From this we learn that finding the wide gate is not difficult; and many have entered it, because it is easy to find and easy to enter.
D. The narrow gate, on the other hand, appears to be more obscure; for few find it.
E. By this we learn that the narrow gate is not a gate that is identified by a quick, non-involved, non-responsive glance.
F. It is identified by careful, concerned, investigation resulting from a genuine desire to know the truth for the purpose of receiving it once it is ascertained.
G. Each gate opens to a road that leads to a destination.
H. Each road can only be traveled once the corresponding gate has been entered.
I. One cannot travel the road unless he first enters the gate.
J. Each gate opens to only one road; one cannot travel both roads by entering only one gate.
K. There is no mention of returning through the gate once it has been entered; only a destination where the corresponding road will end.
L. We’re told that one gate opens to a road that leads to destruction.
M. We’re told that the other gate, the narrow one, leads to life.
N. The gate you choose then, determines your final destination.
O. To understand the importance of choosing the right gate, you must look beyond the gate to the destination.
P. The wide gate leading to destruction sets you on a road whose destination will be eternal darkness, eternal death, eternal torment, eternal pain, eternal fire, and eternal hopelessness; for there is no escape.
Q. The narrow gate leading to life sets you on a road whose destination will be eternal light, eternal perfection, eternal joy, eternal pleasures, eternal love, eternal rest, and eternal peace; for this destination, also, is unending.
R. The wide gate is popular, many are entering it; the road is wide and easy to follow, and there is little resistance along the way.
S. The narrow gate, on the other hand, is much more difficult to find, but not difficult to enter; the road is narrow, meaning its primary focus is its destination rather than the trip along the way.
T. Since the broad gate is wide and easy to enter, since it is popular, since it opens to a wide, easy to follow road that highlights the trip more than the destination, it is a deceptive gate; for while it promises a great trip, it deceives you into disregarding the destination by getting you to focus on the fun along the way.
U. Sadly, the destination arrives all too soon, and the trip is immediately forgotten because of the horror of the destiny the gate has brought you to.
V. The narrow gate represents Jesus Christ, the only opening to the Heavenly road, and the only Way we can enter the life that ends in eternal life instead of death.
W. Don’t be deceived into entering the deceptive gate by the broad, popular, appealing road that lays just beyond it!
2. Verses 15 & 16 – Deceptive Prophets, or Preachers
A. The word ‘beware’ warns us to be on guard for false prophets, or preachers.
B. The words “…in sheep’s clothing…” indicates these false preachers are deceptive; masquerading as the genuine article, while concealing their evil message.
C. False prophets such as Jim Jones and David Koresh for example, initially appear to be genuine prophets of the Lord, only to be exposed to be destructive, demonized deceivers, all too late for many of their followers.
D. All preachers are human and make mistakes from time to time.
E. The false prophets masquerading as the genuine, though, have an inherently false message.
F. The danger of a false gospel is that following its deception will cause you to spend eternity in a lake of fire.
G. Paul warns in Galatians 1:8, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
H. Here in our text, God gives us the distinguishing marks that will allow us to identify these deceivers, so that we might reject them and their message.
I. Verse 16 tells us we will know them by their fruits.
J. A deceptive prophet, while using words that seemingly come from God, will expose his nature by what his life produces.
K. Verse 18 tells us that “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.”
L. Verse 16 warns us to evaluate a prophet’s fruits (plural).
M. Verse 18 talks about a person’s fruit (singular).
N. Galatians 5:22 & 23 describe the fruit (singular) of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” “Meekness, temperance…”
O. These terms are all descriptive attributes of one type or manner of fruit: the fruit of the Spirit, meaning the Holy Spirit that indwells believers.
P. All of these descriptive attributes to some degree (depending upon the level of spiritual growth of the individual) should be present in the life of someone who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ; especially one who claims to be a prophet, or preacher.
Q. If someone appears to speak the word of God, but is not loving; is not joyful but depressed; is not peaceful but seems to be tortured in spirit; is not gentle but violent, expressing violent outbursts of words or actions; is not meek, but prideful and arrogant; is not temperate, but is aggressive, hot tempered, and hostile; this person is not exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit and should be avoided: he is a false prophet.
R. Deceptive prophets are known by their fruits (plural): the products their lives exude, that stand in stark contrast to the descriptive attributes of the fruit (singular) of the Holy Spirit that resides in the true prophet.
3. Verses 21 – 23 – Deceptive Works
A. Deceptive works cause one to give the appearance that he/she belongs to Jesus, when in fact he/she does not.
B. Verse 22 by the word ‘Many’ informs us that this is a widespread problem that will only be exposed to those who are self-deceived when it is too late.
C. Verse 22 also indicates these have been people who have invested much of themselves in working and serving in the name of the Lord.
D. Please notice, Jesus does not refute what they say.
E. Verse 21 informs us that they even call Jesus Lord, Lord.
F. You see, it’s not those who call Him Lord, but those who genuinely have Him as their Lord who are really saved.
G. Many today say “Yes, I believe in the Lord.” Or “I love the Lord.”
H. Yet, they have never really opened their lives and allowed Him to enter, making Him the real Lord of their lives.
I. Notice Verse 23: Jesus never says their works, or lack of works, is the problem.
J. Instead, He says that He never knew them.
K. In other words, the qualification to enter the kingdom of heaven is not based upon a person’s works, but on knowing Jesus; establishing a personal relationship with Him.
L. Self-deceived individuals may invest an entire lifetime serving Jesus without having established a personal relationship with Him; and find out too late, their investment was for naught.
M. Notice in Verses 21 & 22 they base their expectation, and their case that He should receive them into His kingdom, upon their words and their works.
N. First, they call Him Lord - words.
O. Next, they have prophesied; they have cast out devils; they have done many wonderful works.
P. The basis of their entire case is built upon their own self-righteous works, not salvation by Jesus alone.
Q. Titus 3:5 says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
R. II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…”
S. Galatians 6:15 says, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”
T. Those described previously, never established a personal relationship with Jesus.
U. Paul describes self-deceived individuals in Romans 10:3: “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
V. So, deceptive works cause one to base his/her salvation upon his own righteousness, instead of on Jesus’ imputed righteousness.
W. But, individuals such as these, not only deceive themselves, they also deceive many around them; causing them to think these deceivers are genuine Christians because of their works.
X. Many today serve in our churches, doing many important jobs, serving faithfully, but do not exhibit the fruit (singular) of the Spirit; in other words, do not exhibit the descriptive attributes of the Holy Spirit they claim resides within them.
Y. Again, as I said concerning false prophets; the same is true with any person who calls himself/herself a Christian; church work cannot effectively camouflage the nature of a person if someone knows how to identify the true nature of that person by evaluating the source of his works.
Z. This is done by comparing the fruit or fruits he produces with the descriptive terms that describe the fruit of the Spirit.
AA. Regardless of what the person says, or the works he does, a clear picture of his true nature will begin to emerge when you evaluate his fruit in the light of the description of the fruit of the Spirit.
BB. Deceptive works result in self-righteousness and unrighteousness.
CC. The fruit produced in a self-righteous individual’s life is far different than that described as the fruit of the Spirit.
DD. Though he performs righteous-looking works, his heart, his words, his attitude, his demeanor, are all in sharp contrast to what his works appear to indicate.
EE. He is cold, hard, arrogant, controlling, abusive, uninterested in spiritual things, and instead is usually focused on the material aspects of serving the Lord.
FF. He expresses little mercy, little understanding, little concern for those who need mercy or assistance, little remorse for offenses he has committed, and little desire for the spiritual welfare of others.
GG. He strains at gnats and swallows camels; choosing to focus on the minor issues of the church instead of the work of winning souls and discipling them.
HH. These are individuals who appear to be Christians because of their deceptive works, but who, in reality, are still filled with iniquity.
II. Jesus describes these individuals in Matthew 23:27 & 28, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” “Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”
JJ. These individuals are dangerous because they are often entrusted with responsibility that should be reserved only for those who are truly saved.
KK. Thus, they can do much damage, especially when entrusted with the responsibility to lead, or instruct people in spiritual matters; for “...the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (I Corinthians 2:14)
LL. Spiritual precepts must be taught by spiritual people; else, these deceptive people enter into a realm they know nothing of.
MM. In Matthew 15:9 Jesus said, “…in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
NN. So then, when evaluating the genuineness of a person’s salvation, regardless of his words or works, believe what the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ test reveals about him/her.
OO. Likewise, if you suspect you are being self-deceived into thinking you are ‘alright’ with God, when in fact you suspect you are basing your relationship with Him on what you say or do, rather than on what Jesus has done for you, carefully evaluate the basis for why you expect Him to receive you.
PP. If you are in fact basing your relationship with Jesus on your works for Him instead of His work for you, you are being self-deceived.
QQ. Repent, turn from your works-based service, invite Jesus into your life, trust His payment to be applied to your account, and in so doing, enter that narrow gate, beginning a personal relationship with him.
RR. Deceptive works can result in self-deception; and in deceiving those around you.
4. Verses 24 – 27 – Deceptive Strength
A. The strength of a building; its ability to weather violent storms; rests on the quality of its foundation; not the strength of its structure.
B. Here, Jesus draws a comparison between equally strong buildings that have been built upon very different foundations.
C. There were many similarities in the experiences of the 2 buildings.
D. There were no recorded differences in the quality, size, or style of the buildings.
E. In other words, they appeared to be equal in quality of workmanship, size, and style.
F. Each experienced similar storms.
G. Neither building was spared the experience of enduring the elements of storms.
H. The buildings had very different fates, though.
I. One stood the test of the storm and endured.
J. The other fell during the onslaught of the storm.
K. The difference in the strength of the 2 buildings to withstand the storms rested in the foundation upon which each was built.
L. One was built upon a solid foundation that stood undaunted by the raging storm; allowing the building to stand firm and endure the storms assault.
M. The other, however, was built upon unsteady, shifting sand, that was easily manipulated by the storm when it arose.
N. While each appeared to be equally strong, the building that was built upon the sand exhibited deceptive strength; for when the test of its strength came, it could not endure.
O. Jesus was making a comparison between those who build their lives equally strong externally; but who choose very different foundations upon which to build.
P. Those who hear Jesus’ words and follow His directions, build upon an unshakable foundation that can never be moved; though the storms of life rage vehemently against them.
Q. I Corinthians 3:11 says, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
R. The only unshakable foundation to safely build your life and eternity upon is Jesus Christ.
S. He will hold the house of your life up when the most violent storms that can be thrown at you buffet your life.
T. However, many, and even most, like the foolish man, make the choice to disregard the sayings of Jesus and build their lives upon their own sandy foundations.
U. Then, when the storms of life begin to rage, they have a shoddy foundation that is not able to withstand the battering, and their lives are destroyed, or at least badly damaged, because of their personal choice to ignore the plain instructions of Jesus.
V. We must have the proper foundation if our lives are to stand against the sure test of eternity; but also if they are to withstand the storms of life that will surely come our way.
W. Deceptive strength gives the appearance of toughness, but quickly crumbles in the fray of stormy events.
X. Some men, and even women, want to project the tough guy/girl image, but learn quickly that it is the foundation, not the structure, that yields the strength to withstand the storms of life.
Y. Again, individuals can be self-deceived; thinking their strength alone is adequate to bear them up when a storm of life confronts them; only to find they were badly mistaken.
Z. Jesus likened the individuals making the decision of which foundation to build their lives upon unto wise men, and foolish men.
AA. Deceptive strength bases its power upon the structure instead of the foundation.
Let’s Review:
Deception can be disappointing, dangerous, and destructive.
Spiritual deception is the most dangerous of all deceptions, for it has to do with where we will spend eternity; and also with the quality of our lives while we are in this present world.
We have examined some of the most common types of spiritual deception:
(1) The Deceptive Gate
(2) Deceptive Prophets, or Preachers
(3) Deceptive Works
(4) Deceptive Strength
We have identified ways to expose these deceptions, and discovered ways to overcome them.
In Conclusion:
Have you been deceived?
Are you self-deceived?
Are you deceiving those around you?
You now have the spiritual tools to overcome any deception that has defrauded you of your rightful spiritual inheritance.
Knowing the truth destroys deception’s power to seduce and deceive you.
Obeying the truth destroys deception’s power to hold you.
