Taken from teachings from Derek Prince; this is a fantastic bullet point check list for people to evaluate themselves and others as to whether or not they are subject to Deception.
People who are Subject to Deception:
- Those who rely on subjective impressions. Example: People who make a decision based on how something made them feel. Someone may have said something super spiritual or sounded very good to the ears and it made them feel "Good"; therefore it must be correct. Wrong! How you "Feel" about something is not the measure of truth. The measure of Truth is, Gods Word (The Holy Bible), Gods Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ are all the measure of truth. It must check out with ALL THREE before something should be labeled "Truth". I personally know many people who base entire life altering decisions on how they feel about a subject. Jesus said John 14:6 "I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the father except through me". There seems to be this new age teaching that somehow or another everyone despite what they believe goes to Heaven. The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is the only way to heaven and if you do not believe in Jesus you will not be allowed into Heaven. I have told this to close family members and friends and their reply; "That doesn't feel right; God wouldn't do that". They are deceived!
-Those who look only to human leaders. Example: People who despite having full access to the Word of God (The Bible) will take a mans word over what the Bible says and never bother to open their Bible and check the mans words against the Word of God. A very good example of this is people who follow blindly with unwavering faithfulness to man who calls himself a "Prophet".
-Those who accept supernatural signs as a guarantee of truth. Example: Whether you are aware (and most people are not) Satan and his forces can produce supernatural signs and wonders. This is talked about in Revelation 13 when referring to the end times false prophet and also 2 Corinthians 11:14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Think also about Moses when challenged by Pharaohs sorcerers, Jannes and Jambres where able to replicate the first several plagues, even turning their rods into snakes just as Moses did. Moses's staff ate their rods up!
-Those who through personal ambition are susceptible to flattery. Example: We see this everyday in American Politics. Some man is strong in his beliefs and what he stands for and is elected to office. Once he finds himself in a position of power and prestige there comes a knock on the door or a phone call. Someone with allot of notoriety and power is at the other end and is promising monetary or social gain if he would but comprise his stance on a certain subject. Once he gives in, it's nothing but a slippery path to total ruin. When we as saints of God start compromising with Gods word for example so that we will be liked. You are deceived!
- Those who are unwilling to face persecution and suffering. Example: 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. If you are a true disciple of Jesus Christ than expect people are not going to like you. For some this is too much. They seek the approval of man before God. Willing to accept heresies for the sake of avoiding suffering. If your not willing to suffer for Christ you are subject to deception!
-Those who are ignorant of Scripture. Example: I have met many people who will argue their so called christian standpoint from a complete point of ignorance. Openly admitting beforehand they don't read the Bible. Making it up as they go and adding in there emotional bias and point of view as if it were fact. Arguing standpoints from hearsay and rumor, urban legends and religious myths; all the while insisting they know what they are talking about. If you are not firmly rooted in the Word of God (The Holy Bible) and know what it says; you are subject to deception.
I pray that this teaching will help you to self evaluate and understand more on the subject of deception and help you to avoid the pitfalls that so many encounter in life when confronted with deception masquerading as truth. Remember this; If something is 95% truth and 5% lie; it is still a lie. The "Truth" is the bait that gets you hooked to receive the lie. The devil is cunning. He knows most people would never accept an outright blatantly obvious lie. So he mixes it with truth. My friend get into your Bibles and on your knees in prayer and seek Jesus with all your heart TODAY! God Bless and Glory to Jesus!