How to keep yourself from being deceived right now
My phone rang the other day, and a “deputy” announced that I had failed to fulfill my supposed jury duty that day. He went on to announce that a warrant was issued for my arrest, and it could be suspended if they received $4000 that afternoon at the courthouse.
I called the Sheriff’s office and they quickly explained that was a popular scam right now to “deceive senior citizens.”
It certainly worked on me, and I am indeed a senior!
Deception.
Someone recently saw a “video” of Billy Graham speaking against tithing! It was an AI fraud.
How can you protect yourself from the deception promised to occur in the last days?
Avoid the “salesman syndrome.”
“By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive” (Rom. 16:18).
It is common knowledge that deceivers generally speak with “fear” or “flattery.”
My Dad used to say, “Sugar wouldn’t melt in his mouth!”
Smooth talk. Talk like Satan used in describing the fruit to Eve as delicious, delightful, and empowering.
A deceiver will brag on you so much that you wonder if they are talking about you!
2. Deception comes through pride.
Satan’s pride caused him to become self-deceived.
Pride blinds, then binds.
Samson became deceived that he could never lose his great power…until he did. Then, he was blinded and bound.
Don’t hang around with cocky, arrogant mockers. High-minded talkers are deceived. Many criminals are deceived into thinking they can never get caught…until they do.
Stay humble.
3. Don’t be impressed by “gifts.”
“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the rebellion occurs first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction…” (2 Thess. 2: 3).
The Antichrist will be loaded with gifts, lying signs and wonders. Don’t be impressed with gifts, but with fruit.
“You will know them by their fruits.”
Do they tell the truth? Do they make life work in marriage and parenting? Do they focus on gain rather than godliness?
You are not judging. You are “fruit inspecting.”
4. Stay with good “company.”
“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Cor. 15:33)
If you hang around with deceived people, chances are you will be deceived.
Do they “do” the Word? Are they constantly judging, gossiping, and spewing out rumors?
Is everyone wrong but them?
I choose my friends carefully. I’m looking for honest, transparent, quiet, stable, happy friends. They don’t love gossip, they love people.
You can insulate yourself from deception by avoiding the company of loud-mouthed critics.
I love small groups. Choose one filled with like-minded, pure living believers. Your chances of deception go to almost “zero.”
Thankfully, my local sheriff’s office alerted me to the jury duty scam.
I never sent in $4000, and I never heard back from them again.
Be cautious of deception: flattery, pride, false promises, and bad company.
My grandfather’s favorite phrase was, “Consider the source.”