“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.” 2 John 1:7 (ESV)

Deception causes one to believe something that is not true. It is a mistaken impression by using falsehood, fake news, and disinformation that changes one belief of reality, fact, or truth.

Deception also means failing to agree to oneself that something is wrong. In French, it refers to ‘décevoir’, and in Latin ‘deciphere’ which means to cheat.

Why is deception our greatest enemy? It is the number one strategy that Satan uses to distract people to believe his lies about the word of God. This is why Jesus referred to Satan as the deceiver of the world. Today, we see how governments, companies, extremist groups use deception to promote hate and division. We increasingly now see online and media setups, high-level corruptions staged to embezzled funds and increase poverty. Even false Pastors use the name of Jesus to secure wealth, attract fame and turn the hearts of people from God.

Jesus loves sinners but hates deceitful people and hypocrisy. Deception has increased double standards in families, communities and the church. Anything that ever deceived Jesus he put cursed on. For example:

• Jesus cursed a Fig tree in Mark 11:21 (ESV) “And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”

• Jesus cursed Judas who betrayed him in Matthew 26:24 “The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

You have a chance to escape from deception. Don't wait until it is too late. The only way to come out of deception is to accept the word of God which is the truth. In Galatians 3:1 (KJV) 6“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?”