Satan – The Great Deceiver
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.”
Matthew 24:3-4
Satan is known as the father of lies and he masquerades as an angel of light in order to deceive people and nations. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) Satan deceives non-believers to believe his lies and he infiltrates the church to gently move us away from the Truth. We see this today with governments making laws against the Christian religion and causing a number of Christian churches to move away from the Truth.
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. (1 Timothy 4:1 ESV) As we approach the last days, we can see how Satan uses deceitful spirits and teachings of demons to bring a sinful habit into our life and his lies into the church. Satan will deceive us by twisting God’s Word and attacking Christians to live by partial Truth, to the point that we justify it in our own minds.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1 ESV) The reason so many people in the world are against Christianity is because they don’t know the Truth, and if anyone doesn’t know the Truth they will believe Satan’s lies by default.
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. (Mark 13:22 ESV) Today, there are many false prophets leading lost souls in the wrong direction and against Christians. In the last days, there will be false christs, and from Revelation, there will be the antichrist who will perform signs and wonders through Satan and demand to be worshiped.
Every Christian will be set free if they know the Word. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 ESV) The only way to overcome false and deceptive teachings is by knowing the Truth that comes from the Word of God. Jesus answered his apostle about end times with: Watch out that no one deceives you. (Matthew 24:4)
Today, watch out for hearing Satan’s lies and deceptions. Compare every teaching and every prompting by the Spirit to the Truth in God’s Word. Know the Word because Satan knows the Word. He knows exactly how to twist the words to deceive and how to entice our minds to justify our will.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that I will never be deceived by Satan and his demons. Prompt me by the Spirit whenever Satan tempts me or deceives me. Guide me in the Word to know your Truth and to live by your Truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen