Don’t Be Deceived

Prayer – Lord, open my eyes and my heart to Your truth that You and I will have a strong relationship—and teach me all that I need to know. Please put a hedge of protection around me, my family and friends—and my neighbor, too, that we would not be deceived. 

I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward. Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son. 2 John 1:5-9 (Underlined for emphasis.)

 

Meditate. Consider loving relationships with other Christians.

Don't let the fog deceive you.
Rely on a strong foundation with the Lord.

Lots of questions to consider when reading this scripture passage. You could ask “how should we show love to others?” “What would deceivers look like, or say about Jesus, today?” “What have we worked hard to achieve?” “What is our full reward?” “Is my relationship with God and with Jesus as good as it can be?” May I ask... how is the bridge you are building in your relationship to God?

John goes on to encourage Christians not to get involved with false teachers.

If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don't invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work. 2 John 1:10-11

Such good advice. We need to be discerning about those giving instructions—whether it is on YouTube or in our own church.

But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 2 Peter 2:1-2

Test what they say against God’s word. Is it true, is it reliable, is it honest and of good repute? Dig into the scripture for yourself—don’t just take other’s word and interpretation as gospel truth. Don’t be deceived.

 

Verses of Salvation ~ As for us, we can't help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation--a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

 

© 2023 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

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