Don't Be Deceived
by Pastor Jim
Baugh
Have you ever undergone a lie detector test? Lie
detectors work because most people exhibit
physiological changes (whether consciously or
unconsciously) when they lie. For example, the heart
rate increases, as well as blood pressure, respiratory
rates and something called electro-dermal activity
(otherwise known as sweating).
Now one of the problems with a lie detector is that if
the one being tested sincerely believes a lie, they will
give no physical evidence of deceit as they tell the lie.
In essence, they are not lying about what they believe,
even though what they believe is a … what? Lie! The
truth is, some people are deceived, even though they
don't know it. They can be incredibly sincere, but
sincerely wrong.
Over
and over again, God warns us to protect ourselves from spiritual
deception. But how? Let's look to the Bible for our answers. And
the passage to look at is II Corinthians 11:12-15, where we first
see:
The Conditions For Deceit:
Paul reminds us in verse 12 that deceivers always seek
opportunities of entrance into our lives. He writes, "But
what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off
the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity."
Paul was speaking about false teachers seeking
opportunity to deceive. In Jude 4 we're reminded that
certain men (false teachers) "had crept" in unnoticed
among those born again believers. Those words "crept
in" carry with them the idea of someone coming into a
pool of water without so much as causing a ripple. And
that's what false teachers do. That's what Mormonism
seeks to do in Bible believing churches. They don't come
into your life doing belly flops! Deceivers come in
seeking opportunities for acceptance. Paul continues in
verse 12b, "[These deceivers] want to be regarded just
as we are in the things of which they boast."
In other words, false teachers would say, "Oh yeah,
we're just like Paul… but we've got something better
than what Paul had. Paul had the truth … but sadly,
Paul hasn't given you the rest of the story. We have all
the truth."
Does this sound familiar? Today the LDS Church claims
to be another Christian church. Yet, a number of years
ago they didn't. Around 35 years ago they changed
their tactics. Today, they present themselves to the
public, and to untaught unbelievers, that they too are
Christians but have the "full truth." Sadly, 78% of
people involved in "Christian sounding" cults come out of
historically fundamental Christian churches. Yet all the
while, the core teaching of Mormonism rejects the God of
the Bible, rejects the Lord Jesus of the Bible, rejects the
Holy Spirit of the Bible, and most explicitly rejects the free
gift of eternal life offered by, and paid for completely by,
the Savior of the Bible! Without these core Christian
truths, you don't have Christianity!
Yet how many churches have opened their doors to the
deception of Mormonism, by providing acceptance to
the false church that propagates this deception? (For
example, through including them in Christian ecumenical
organizations, and ministerial groups.) Make no doubt,
Bible believing churches are called to love Mormons,
and reach them for Christ, but we're not called to accept
or provide opportunities for the propagation of
Mormonism's message.
How about you? Do you know what you believe and why you believe
it? Do you have a solid foundation for your faith in the Bible?
If not, you too can be the target for deception. Next month, we'll
continue our discussion on how to keep from being deceived.
