Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. Isn't it a joy to gather together in the house of the Lord, united by our shared love for Christ, and our shared desire to understand His word more deeply?

Today, we are going to turn our attention to a passage that may, at first, seem a bit daunting. But fear not! For we are guided by the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of God's word. We will be looking at Matthew 24:24, which reads,

"For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."

Yes, my friends, this is a challenging scripture. It speaks of deception, of false prophets, and great signs and wonders. It might even make us feel a bit uncomfortable. But isn't that sometimes the purpose of scripture? To challenge us, to make us question, to force us to lean on God's wisdom rather than our own?

As we approach this scripture today, we will focus on three main points: Discerning Deception, Distinguishing Deceivers, and Defending against Deceit. These are not easy topics, but they are necessary ones. For as we walk in this world, we must be aware of the potential for deception, for false teachings, and for those who would lead us astray.

The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right." Isn't that so true? It's easy to spot the difference between right and wrong. But the difference between right and almost right? That's where the danger lies. That's where deception can creep in.

So, as we approach this scripture, let's do so with open hearts and open minds. Let's ask God to give us the wisdom to discern the truth, to distinguish the deceivers, and to defend against deceit.

Let's pray together:

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today, eager to learn from your word. We ask that you would open our hearts and minds, that you would give us the wisdom to understand your teachings. Help us to discern deception, to distinguish deceivers, and to defend against deceit. Guide us as we study your word, and help us to apply it to our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

Now, let us begin...

Discerning Deception

In the world we live in, it's not always easy to tell the truth from the lies. Deception can be subtle, sneaky, and sometimes, it's dressed up to look like the truth. This is why we need to be vigilant, why we need to be on guard, and why we need to be constantly seeking God's wisdom and guidance.

Information is accessible: We find ourselves living in a time where information is readily available at our fingertips. This can be a blessing, but it can also be a curse. It's easy to be swayed by convincing arguments, by charismatic speakers, or by the popular opinion. But we must remember that not everything that glitters is gold. The scripture warns us about false messiahs and false prophets. These are individuals who might appear to be genuine, who might even perform great signs and wonders. But their goal is to deceive, to lead us away from the truth.

How do we discern deception?: How do we know when we're being led astray? It starts with knowing God's word. The more we read and understand the Bible, the better equipped we are to recognize when something doesn't align with God's teachings. But knowing God's word isn't enough. We also need to be in constant communication with Him. We need to pray for wisdom, for discernment, and for the ability to see through the lies. God promises to give wisdom to those who ask for it. So let's ask, let's seek, and let's knock.

Be aware of our own biases and preconceived notions: Sometimes, we can be deceived because we want to believe something, because it aligns with our own desires or beliefs. But we must be willing to let go of these, to surrender them to God, and to allow His truth to guide us.

Be part of a community of believers: We were not meant to walk this journey alone. We need the support, the accountability, and the wisdom of others who are also seeking to follow Christ. Together, we can help each other stay on the right path, and avoid the pitfalls of deception.

Not about being suspicious or cynical: It's about being wise, about being discerning, and about being rooted in God's word and His truth. It's about seeking His guidance, His wisdom, and His discernment. And it's about walking in community with others, helping each other stay on the right path.

Distinguishing Deceivers

As we continue our study, we find ourselves facing the task of distinguishing deceivers ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO