he word “deceive” is used many times in the Old and New testaments. What does the word mean? One dictionary says it means to mislead by falsehood or to lie. Following are some places the word “deceived” appears in the New Testament.
Matthew 24:4-5, “Take heed that no one deceives you for many will come in my name saying I am the Christ and will deceive many.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Ephesians 5:6, “Let no one deceive you with empty words.”
Galatians 6:7-8, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
1 Timothy 2:14, “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.”
Titus 3:3, “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.”
James 1:26, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”
Romans 16:17-18, “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”
James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Revelation 20:10, “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Romans 7:11, “For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.”
1 John 1:8, “If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
1 John 3:7, “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.”
2 Timothy 3:13, “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
1 Corinthians 3:18, “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.”
Where our souls spend eternity should be number one on our priority list. We are warned in Scripture by the Lord Himself and by the apostles not to allow anyone to deceive us. There are many, many false teachers today preaching and teaching things that are not according to the Scriptures; they are deceivers. It is person’s responsibility to study the Scriptures to know if someone is attempting to deceive him or her. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
May we all study God’s Word with open and receptive hearts so we can know His will for us. Further, may we be doers of the Word and not just hearers only, deceiving ourselves (James 1:22).
