Deception in the church

Has anyone noticed the increase in deception these days? I know that the Bible talks about how many false prophets will arise in the end times and how satan deceives the word through his sorceries (pharmakeia) but have you noticed a very sharp spike in deception (especially in churches) in the last couple of years? Thank God for discernment and His grace is enough to ensure that true believers are not deceived but it seems like it's getting so much harder to distinguish the sheep from the wolves. Satan is so so crafty these days and it seems like a lot of the church have fallen victim to his schemes. I don't wanna be too specific and point the finger at particular ministries but I am noticing that a lot of new age has crept into the church and it's alarming to say the least. And don't get me started on the state of Christian music these days (just take a look at the "Christian" artists that performed at the Grammy's this year). It's so sad to see what the church looks like. Asleep and deceived. I know that there's a remnant of true believers out there and thank God for that but it seems like the "church" as a whole has been infiltrated. It makes finding a biblically sound local church very difficult.

I think what you're describing has become so bad that it's actually measurable.
And I think a lot of people would agree with you.

The solution, on a personal level, is for people to study their Bibles, and study good theology.

But many churches actually discount bible study as being unnecessary, or even harmful.

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False prophets in the end times? Yes, there were many.

Ponder that, in light of the text of Scripture and the events that took place in Israel within the first 50 years after Christ was crucified.

Discerning wolves (part 1)

Isaiah 13:22 And wolves shall cry in their castles, and jackals in the pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

Wolves live in castles. A castle is a fortified mansion. It is extremely rare to find a person working as a maid or custodian that is a wolf or jackal. Often it is the person handling the money like Judas, it is the pastor with the gold chain, luxury car and living in a million dollar house. One brother shared that the Lord gives us a raise, not to raise our standard of living but rather our standard of giving. I would avoid all pastors who are ostentatious with a show of wealth.

Ezekiel 22:23 And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, 24 Son of man, say unto her, Thou art a land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. 25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls; they take treasure and precious things; they have made her widows many in the midst thereof.

Note this word "conspiracy". They will tell you that this is a tin foil hat conspiracy theory, but the Bible is the truth. We have seen the number of single parent mothers increase in the US, that was the plan. All these people in jail for drugs or gang violence, that was the plan. They devour souls and they make her widows many. This may seem confusing, how does this help them take treasure and precious things. The result of many single mothers and many people in prison is to raise taxes. The rich and elites can avoid paying any of these taxes. Meanwhile the poor and poorly educated work at minimum wage rather than competing with these companies to run their own businesses. "Her prophets" refer to all the talking heads on TV that keep the Americans mesmerized and asleep.

26 Her priests have done violence to my law, and have profaned my holy things: they have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they caused men to discern between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

This is the nature of the apostasy. If all are holy then there is no distinction between holy and common. If all are clean then there is no distinction between clean and unclean. These church services are set up to not interfere with people watching football, or basketball or baseball games. This is to hide your eyes from the Lord's sabbaths. The sabbath is a day where all the believers can gather together as a family, where the fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers can spend time each week with younger ones.

27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.

In this environment you will get "princes" who are like wolves. These young 20 or 30 year olds, energetic, vibrant, seem to bring a whole new generation to the Lord. However, if you pay attention they are dishonest. That should set off alarm bells. You will also discover that those under their ministry get destroyed. Generally you will see young women getting destroyed, but don't assume they are always heterosexual. They prey on those who have no credibility, so if they try to say anything they will be the ones vilified, not the wolf. They also shed blood. Anyone threatening to expose them or bring them down will be attacked viciously the same way a pack of wolves will attack a prey animal.

28 And her prophets have daubed for them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, when Jehovah hath not spoken.

These are the false prophets. This is what all these ones accusing people of being a false prophet don't understand. These false prophets are working for the wolves. If you think someone is a false prophet they will always have an angle where they are trying to make merchandise of you and build up some ministry. Maybe they are selling books, maybe they are trying to pump up someone's ministry, maybe they are trying to create a viral youtube station.

29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery; yea, they have vexed the poor and needy, and have oppressed the sojourner wrongfully. 30 And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none. 31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I brought upon their heads, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Discerning wolves (part 2)

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. 14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.

This is the context of the warning to beware of false prophets who come to you.

15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.

These are like scammers, they come to you. One of the key ways to avoid being scammed is when they say they are from Amazon, or some other company you call the company yourself. Don't use their phone number. The same is true with a Youtube video, they will come to you. They will pay to have their video positioned. They may seek out people who are looking for Christian sites. Consider this, I put the title of this blog into google and there were 40 sites that popped up first because they were related to this topic. Some of them were dead websites that hadn't been updated for months or even years. Then I put the title into a DuckDuckGo search and it popped up first. Avoid the sites that pay to get in front of you. If I do a google search I will typically skip the first four pages. Do not be fooled by the "sheep's clothing". The name may be very good sounding, the music and everything about it may have all the right appearance, but at the very heart of it they want your money. The site may be a tease to buy a book. I don't mind people writing and selling books, Paul said you shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn, but if they use click bait or if their video is a tease to pay them money I put them on ignore. Any genuine ministry will not have any requirement to donate money. Donating may be optional for those who wish to support the ministry, but at the heart of the ministry they want to share the word with all who are open.

16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

It is a lot better to identify these ministries early and cut them off immediately. However, if you are involved in a ministry you should be able to see the fruit. If they are wolves you will discover that they are a corrupt tree and they bring forth evil fruit. There will be adultery, fornication, and fraud. If you see this know, this is not a good tree. Regardless of how wonderful they claim their ministry is they cannot hide the fact that the fruit is evil.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

You can identify a tree from its bark or from its leaves. But when we first get saved we are not that savvy and so the simplest way to identify a tree is from its fruit. If you get hoodwinked, scammed, then at that time you may be interested in really studying how to identify a phony ministry from a good one.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Lazy Christians want someone to vouch for a ministry. What seminary did they graduate from, let's see the references. What is far more important is having your own personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. If you spend time with the Lord every day He will let you know when you are dealing with a corrupt tree or wolves in sheep's clothing. Think about the church in Ephesus, they were excellent at discerning who was and who wasn't speaking from God, but they left their first love. I used to go hiking in the woods a lot. You might see a "corrupt tree" with "poisonous fruit". Big deal, I just keep on walking. These trees are here. There are FreeMasons and Jesuits and Mormons and pagans and idol worshippers and evil people everywhere. Big deal, if you are a child of the king and spending time with him everyday you don't need to worry about all that.

It is getting extremely bad on the western front with New Age, Secular Humanism, Deconstructionism, and movements like the NAR, WOF, of Prosperity gospel. The Bethal type of doctrines are sweeping the hemisphere and it is so deceptive as in mixed with truth and much error that it seems cultish but many adopt these beliefs unknowingly while mixing them with sound doctrine.

I fear for these churches and those lost in mere emotionalism or unbiblical quests for healing, prosperity, or claiming to speak for God.

So fed up with it all.

What the scariest thing is to me is how even when you put the truth squarely in front of someone's face they dig in all the harder. Instead of loving the truth they love lies. It's truly hard to comprehend.

While I don't disagree in the slightest with what you're saying... indeed, I find very disheartening... I wonder why we (including myself) do find it all a bit "crazy"? We know that the Word is Spiritually discerned, so yeah, people who don't follow the Spirit just aren't going to get it.

Still, it boggles the mind.

That's a really good way to put it. "The deception is now measurable." Yes exactly, once you know the truth, it's harder to fall victim to the the deception.

Yes! Can you imagine that? They dissuade people from reading the Bible for themselves. There's a cult in Korea called Shincheonji and to even become a "church" member, you have to do their Bible training course (which is littered with all sorts of false doctrine and heresy). They teach them how to interpret the Bible according to the standards of their deranged cult leader. It's truly baffling how many people fall victim to their deception but they know no better because they have never picked the Bible up to read it for themselves.

This is fantastic, thank you so much for sharing. A lot of good insights into how the wolves operate and how to spot and avoid them.

Yes I'm getting really sick of it as well. So many hypocrites, it's truly disheartening. The western church has been polluted and that's why we see sooo much evil increasing in these days. We don't pray, intercede, fall on our faces and weep because of sin anymore. We are so complacent and God is not pleased.

It's truly frightening. I have interacted with a few people who are part of the Shincheonji cult here in Korea and when you confront them with scriptural truth, they just ignore you and continue to believe the heresy. These people are under spiritual deception, they will not hear sound doctrine because their minds have been blinded by the enemy. I believe that for them, only prayer can help them because it's only the Spirit of God that can pull down those strongholds of false doctrine and those fortresses of lies that the enemy has planted in their minds and make the scales fall off their eyes.

Yeah true, Jesus stated clearly that we will see all these things happen and the great apostasy must take place before the end comes but I guess actually seeing it happen is so different to reading about it. When it also hits close to home and you have friends, relatives, acquaintances who fall victim to the deception, it makes it all the more shocking and disheartening.

Absolutely. Don't be too discouraged. There are many who reject the "Christianism" that afflicts the modern, so-called church. We are warned that a deception good enough to fool the elect will come. I believe the so-called Toronto Blessing is that deception. The church is all who are born again, that God identifies as being in Christ. Self-identifying is not enough.

Jesus is Head of the church that He is building. It is a glorious and victorious church. Lord Jesus cannot fail even if all seems lost. I complained to God about the mess that I saw. He said to me, "I have 7,000 that have not bowed the knee to Baal". I took this to be symbolic, not a literal 7,000. God always has a remnant of the faithful.

James was a leader of the Judaizers, a cult that plagued the early church. His book explains how to help someone get out of a cult.

For example:

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.

You can love the Lord and still be caught up in a cult, if you endure that like James did then there is a crown. James endured that temptation and now has a ministry to help others as well.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man:

You have to be accountable for your own actions. As long as you are blaming others for the things that happen to you then you can never be delivered.

14 but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

The temptation for many who are in a cult and also love the Lord is that they want to believe they are in that special group that God has. Often they are disillusioned with religion. I would start there, what caused them to get into the cult. They'll probably talk about the shortcomings of religion. So before even asking them for their testimony I would first ask if they agree that we are all accountable for our own actions. They will agree because it is a big part of their pitch that people need to leave where they are at and join them. So then when he talks about the shortcomings of religion keept the spotlight focused on him, he is accountable for his actions, what was it that he did. You don't want him blaming religion for his joining the cult, instead he will say he wanted to be part of what God is doing or something like that. This is the lust that enticed him. A shortcut to being in God's elite forces.

15 Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.

This brings forth sin. The sin is that one person is better than another. I wouldn't push too hard at this point, perhaps "Oh, so you are better than other Christians because you are in this cult, kind of like someone who graduated from seminary". That will cause major problems because they will always teach that you don't need to go to seminary, so he will hate the comparison. But ultimately the death is they separate themselves from everyone else. No one will ever talk to cult members, it will be very difficult for him to refuse to share his testimony. But he will talk about how religion is dead, they think they are better than everyone else and they separate themselves from others. So here I'd say "so you don't think you are better than anyone else?" They usually will strongly agree, to which you can point out that the reason he joined the cult was to be someone who was an elite member of God's army. Also you can say, "so you don't separate yourselves from others". Doesn't matter what he says and you don't need to challenge him because he knows that they do separate themselves from others.

16 Be not deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.

This is the first big deception of any cult. If this person believes the Bible is the word of God I would then turn to these two verses. In a cult they think the leader of the cult is where the good gifts are coming from. Make it clear to him that they might have good gifts but if they do they come from above, from the father of lights.

I wouldn't push the first conversation too much, I'd let the person share their testimony, talk about how great the cult is, how it changed their life, etc. If you can simply make these points you have given them a whole lot to think about. Hopefully they will begin to read James, no better book in the Bible at helping someone in a cult.

Book of James and False prophets

The context of James is the early church. James emphasizes this context in his book when he says that we should not “have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons”. The record in Acts and Galatians reveals a key human failing, we are prone to have the faith of Jesus “with respect of persons”. Imagine you are a new one, you are not sure what to believe. But, you know you can trust James, after all, he is the brother of Jesus and the son of the virgin Mary. In Acts and Galatians James had a big influence on the early church and what was recorded was not a positive one. James’ experience is as much a part of the context as Paul’s experience of persecuting Christians or Peter’s experience of denying the Lord. James experience of the early church respecting him according to who he was in the flesh is relevant for him to expose false prophets, to shut their mouths, and to help those who have wandered from the truth return to the normal church life. We might think that showing partiality is extremely rare. What is the teaching of slavery if not “having the faith of our Lord Jesus with respect of persons”? When John Adams was working on the declaration of Independence his wife mentioned the fact that women were not treated as equals. The Civil Rights movement and Women’s suffrage are both based on “having the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons”. Some justified slavery saying the slaves were descendants of Ham, the son of Noah that was cursed. That is, by definition, to be a “respecter of persons”. Arguments against women’s suffrage were that women were weaker, that they were too occupied with domestic duties, and that they were too stupid to bear the responsibilities of voting. Once again, this by definition, is to “hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons”. What about Nazi Germany where Jews were required to wear the star of David, were housed in Ghettos and then exterminated in camps. This is the logical extreme of what it is to be a “respecter of persons” and what it is to show partiality.

Paul told us that “their mouths must be stopped” regarding the false prophets. How do you accomplish that? James tells us that no man can “tame the tongue”. “Taming the tongue” or “shutting the mouths” is a work of faith. It is the book of James, as much as any other New Testament book that will equip you to stand against a false prophet by “taming their tongue”.

Why are Christians deceived by false prophets? Like any disease you need to know what the risk factors are, what steps do you need to take to protect yourself and what are the symptoms of those who are being led astray. How do you diagnose if you have been deceived? What is the number one safeguard against false prophets? How do you speak to someone who is deceived, how do you reach them? These are some of the issues addressed in the book of James. Many temptations can be examined: investment schemes (Bernie Madoff), national security (Benedict Arnold), elections (Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump) using the book of James. And the book is balanced, not only does it focus on false prophets but also on genuine faith. Orville and Wilbur Wright, Douglas MacArthur and Harry S. Truman are examples of people who were vilified as being false during their lifetime. These men reveal how difficult discerning the truth can be. James gives us a promise that if we lack wisdom we can ask God and He will give us this wisdom without upbraiding us. The book of James is the “perfect gift of God”. The New Covenant is about giving us a new heart, a heart of flesh. The book of James is about this new heart given to the genuine believers of Christ.

False prophets are “bullies”. Cults are characterized by bullying. How do you respond in a way that triumphs over bullies? This is an issue in schools and in the world, not just in the church. FDR and Marshall exemplified the way mentioned by James in their dealing with MacArthur, likewise Gandhi in his dealing with the British, and Mandela in his actions as President. Christians are destined to rule and reign with Jesus Christ and the book of James equips us to triumph over bullies.

What are the indicators that a man is genuine or false? James gives us a seven point checklist to discern. He also reveals the actions that should set off an alarm. How can a man who knows Jesus and ministers the word of God be a false prophet? James explains this and makes clear the matter of grace with three simple words. James also gives us the one thing, above all, that a believer should not do. Again, this can apply to a church, it can also apply to Germans living under Adolf Hitler, or investors considering an investment scheme from Bernie Madoff.

Finally, James explains how to return when you have wandered from the truth. The book is written to “the twelve tribes in the dispersion”. He identifies what led them astray, why they followed this false leader, and what is the path that leads back to a normal church life. It applies to traitors and scam artists of all kinds. James focus is on judging why you were deceived. This is not for us to judge others, but rather that we can remove the beam from our own eye.

Agree. It is a sad state indeed. I long to be surrounded by people who love truth so much they are willing to dig deep into scripture. To stop being spoon-fed and be able to expose the false teachings. It is so nice to have active and Spirit filled Christians around.

Much of the present day state of the Church is due to what they are cranking out of unbelieving seminaries these days.

2Ti 3:1
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2Ti 3:8
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2Ti 3:9
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.


2Ti 3:13
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

But yet the modern church wants the scholar over the fishermen, tax collector, zealot, etc.

They want the phd over the laymen who can equally be called and equipped.

There is nothing wrong with education but it should never be forgotten that discipleship was the method to determine who was gifted, called, of good reputation, and filled with the Spirit.

Rev 2:6
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.