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Articles
The Dangers of Deception
We all like to think of ourselves as somewhat intelligent, and we are often hesitant to admit that sometimes others have taken advantage of us. Maybe we were sold something that didn’t turn out to be what was advertised, or maybe we got something other than what we paid for, or maybe we were even sold something that was represented as trustworthy, but actually full of defects. When we discovered the truth, we were angry and we felt cheated. We did not get what we bargained for, and we often were worse off than if we had never had anything to do with the thing.
Deception is one of the sins that is practiced often but rarely tolerated; the lowest of the low, in society, are liars and thieves. Deception is just another form of lying, but with a stronger degree of wrong because the deceiver purposefully misleads others into believing that a lie is really what is true. In many cases deception is dangerous and has been the cause of death for many who have been the unknowing victims of deception.
Deception is just as dangerous in the spiritual realm, too. Deception, as used in the Bible, may mean either a purposeful misleading or a leading away (from the right way). We, as believers of God and His word, should be on the lookout for deception in the realm of religion, for we are warned about it several times in the Scriptures. And if it is such a danger, we need to know what forms of deception may be used against us and prepare ourselves.
PERSUASIVE WORDS (Col. 2:4) One whose intent is to deceive will no doubt use persuasive words to lead others to believe that the lie is not really a lie. It is enough that we should use persuasive words to get others to believe the truth, but the deceiver knows the power of persuasive words, and will use persuasion to lead others into error just as surely as the honest man will try to get others to follow the truth. The problem is knowing who is telling the truth. If you've ever sat through a debate of any issue, you know that both sides are using persuasive words, but only one could be right.
The danger in this form of deception is that we don't always know who is telling the truth without some serious investigation of both sides. And here is where many fail. Many simply do not exert enough effort in the investigation to discover that they may actually be falling for a deception, and they are easily deceived. For many, all that they require of one who speaks the word of God to them is that he does it powerfully and persuasively. Unfortunately, many speakers know this and use the power of persuasive words to convince others they speak the truth, knowing that the majority of the audience will never check their words against the revealed word of God and discover they have been deceived.
Often, all that is needed is a little background investigation or a more in-depth study of the word of God to determine what the truth is and to know if we are being deceived.
SUBTLETY (2 Cor. 11:3) Subtlety is the principal tool of the deceiver. Only the boldest deceiver would announce his intentions to deceive, but the most successful ones use subtlety almost as an extension of their own self. It is a part of them, and they employ it like you and I would extend our hand to greet a visitor.
Subtlety is the “end-around” tactic that gets to the intended destination without the other guy realizing he has arrived. As Paul alluded to in the Corinthian letter, it was the means by which the serpent deceived Eve in the garden. He didn't just come right out and say, "I want you to eat this fruit and sin against God" – he used subtlety and he used it well. With a subtle rearranging of God’s command and subtle hints that led the woman to believe that it would be perfectly acceptable to do what had been previously and expressly forbidden, she sinned.
Subtlety is sometimes used when individuals differ over issues, and used often when the point cannot be defended with Scripture. When they fail to persuade others by Scripture, subtlety is employed and catchy phrases are used, leading others to believe that certain Scriptures “don't really mean that” and “God wants you to be happy” – all with the subtle intent to lead others to believe the lie isn’t really a lie. And many succumb.
SMOOTH WORDS AND FLATTERY (Rom. 16:18) When Paul wrote the Roman brethren and warned them against the deceptions they might face, he instructed them to “note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (16:17). We should also note such ones, and be warned that the means by which they will cause divisions and offenses is by deception — deception that is brought about by “smooth words and flattering speech.”
Those “smooth words” are the words of a deceiver intent on leading others away from the truth (the truth, not ‘a’ truth) and into dangerous error. The deceiver will always make a pretense of love and concern for the deceived, patting them on the back while stabbing others in the back. They put on airs of sincerity, but are full of malice. Having firsthand experience with this (in both politics and religion), the deceiver will use those “smooth words” to convince many that they are sincere and put on a great show of false humility to make the “other side” look like they are attacking them personally.
And they will also use “flattering speech” to further enhance their chances of turning the hearts of others away from the truth, promising them positions of prominence and throwing out praise and attention that was never shown previously – all to get them to believe the lie. You may have even heard some of their pet phrases, like “We just need to get along”, “You’re too smart to follow that narrow teaching”, or “We’re all going to the same heaven.” All are used to direct attention away from the true source of contention, and the hearts of the unsuspecting are deceived.
And that is their success: “the hearts of the unsuspecting.” Those whose hearts are not set on deception will naturally look upon others as having the same kind of heart; they believe only good about everyone else. That is not a bad thing, but it unfortunately aids the ones whose hearts are set on deception because they know they can put on a show of great humility, sincerity and desire for truth and unity, and many people will never doubt their intentions. Because they do not doubt, they would never suspect others would want to deceive them and so they never investigate and never discover that they are falling for a lie. They have been deceived!
Beware the deceiver!
