Why is there so much deception in this world? Why do people prefer to believe a lie instead of the truth? Why is it so easy to do the wrong instead of the right?

Deception seems to plague our society. It is found in the business places and is also prevalent in the Church.

Deception is worldwide, but the concentration of it is felt even more in small countries.

Worst of all, the Bible states that evil men and imposters will get worse and worse. While they are deceiving others, they will also deceive themselves.

Our dwelling places are in the midst of deceit and because of this many people refused to know the Lord who is the God of truth (Jeremiah 9:6).

Types of Deception

• Gossiping and backbiting among brethren and neighbors (Jeremiah 9:5.)
• We are being deceived by false prophets, false christs, and diviners (Jeremiah 29:8-9; Matthew 24)
• The pride of your heart will deceive you (Jeremiah 49:16; Obadiah 1:3; Galatians 6:3).
• You are fooled by your relatives and familiar people who you eat bread with. They will lay traps for you (Obadiah 1:6-7).
• Evil companies will corrupt good habits (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Brief history of deception

The deception began in heaven when war broke out between two opposing forces — the dragon who is also known as Satan or the devil along with his angels, and Michael and his angels.

They fought for power and position, but the dragon lost and was cast out of heaven.

There was no place in heaven for the dragon so he came to earth to establish a kingdom so that he could rule mankind.

To accomplish this, he decided to deceive the inhabitants in the land with lies and seduce them with the promise of fame and riches.

Satan is determined to achieve his vengeful goal because he knows his time is short (Revelation 12:7-12).

But, he does not have to succeed in our lives because we can overcome him.

Overcoming deception

We need to first recognize that we were born in sin.

But, we can confess our sins to God, and He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-10).

Practice righteousness continually. 

If you continue in sin, you become a part of the devil’s schemes. But the Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:4-9).

Do not deceive yourself into believing that you are more important than others. 

Each person must examine his own work and bear one another’s burden (Galatians 6:1-4).

God’s people must be awakened to righteousness (1 Corinthians 15:34; Ephesians 5:14).

Be imitators of God and walk in love (Ephesians 5:1-2).

Walk as children of light.

(Ephesians 5:8-10).

Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.

(Ephesians 5:11-13).

Walk carefully and discretely (circumspectly), not as a fool but as wise;

while been aware of the time that we are living in (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Avoid persons with eloquent words and flattering speech.

They will cause division and fool the heart of the simple (Romans 16:17-20).

Always speak positively and avoid people who speak empty words.

Avoid stupid or crude conversation (Ephesians 5:1-7).

Do not be deceived by individuals with persuasive words

The like to encourage you to purchase unnecessary stuff or to sow seeds to obtain blessings from God (Colossians 2:4-5).

Do not behave foolishly but understand the will of the Lord

(Ephesians 5:17).

Avoid worldly wisdom 

Do not boast about your accomplishments because the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God (1 Corinthians 3:18-23).

Be careful of being deceived by philosophies

Empty and deceitful knowledge are based on the tradition of man and not according to Christ (Colossians 2:8-10.)

Avoid getting caught up in religious rituals and traditions.

(Colossians 2:16-19).

Do not be subjected to worldly regulations of ‘dos’ and ‘donts’ about Christianity because they are the doctrines of men.

When you die with Christ, you die from the basic principles of this world, and you now live in newness of life (Colossians 2:20-23).

Do not become drunk with wine.

But be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-19).

Be commendable as ministers of God in purity.

Love the truth and be honest in everything that you do (2 Corinthians 6:1-10).

Be not yolk unequally with unbelievers because you are children of light.

(2 Corinthians 6:14-16)

Come out from among the workers of iniquity and idolatry and touch not the unclean things

(2 Corinthians 6:17-18).

Always give thanks to God and submit to each other

(Ephesians 5:20-21).

Know that every good and perfect gift come from God who is the Father of truth and light.

(James 1:16-18).

Be doers of the word and not only hearers to avoid deceiving yourselves.

(James 1:22-25).

Learn to control your tongue so that you do not deceive your own self.

(James 1:26-27).

Walk in Christ.

Become rooted and grounded in Him and established in your faith (Colossians 2:6-7).

Stand firm in your faith.

Hold onto the traditions and doctrines of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17).

Let the truth of God words abide you

(1 John 2:24-27).

Recognize the time that we are living in right now.

Many false prophets are in our society and many Christians are becoming disillusioned.

The spirit of the antichrist is already in the world and Satan – the son of perdition – is posing as the god of this world (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4; 2 John 1:7-11).

You will overcome Satan and his deception by the blood of the Lamb and the words of your testimony (Revelation 12:11).

You will overcome when you are not ashamed of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and you are willing to give your life to Him.

Judgment of the deceivers

Take heed and make no one deceive you because deceivers will be judged harshly by God (Matthew 24:4).

The Lord will refine the lying lips and try them (Jeremiah 9:7).

The Lord will make their habitation a desolation (Jeremiah 9:11).

God has cursed the deceiver. If you partake of his principles, you will fall under that curse (Malachi 1:14)

Whatever you sow, you will reap. Anyone who sows to the flesh will reap corruption (Galatians 6:7-10).

The wrath of God will come upon those who are disobedience and deceitful (Ephesians 5:6-7).

Uprooting the source of Deception

The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (Romans 16:20)