Deception, Part 2: How to Stop It

 This is part 2 of an article I've written on Deception and the sneaking and creeping efforts to infiltrate the Church. For Part 1: How to Spot Deception, click here: Deception, Part 1

Pastors, if you've seen the red flags and warning signs that deception has worked its way into some dangerous and influential places in your church, I encourage you to take action. Letting deception continue to spin its web and gain traction and influence is deadly. If deception has been working its wiles for awhile, there is already some damage done. It's not the time for complacency or fear. This does not mean we should act in haste without prayer and wisdom preceding our actions. In fact, it's time to spend more time in prayer, call on trusted ministers who will pray with you, and prepare your heart and spirit for the battle to come. When you have covered the situation with prayer and have others praying with and for you, it's time to arm yourself with the following weapons:

Weapons Against Deception

1) Love for the Truth - Respond to deception's attack with a greater love for and examination of the Truth of God's Word. Explore more deeply the foundational Apostolic doctrines. Study verse-by-verse the book of Acts, drawing from the Apostolic Church a clear blueprint of what the Church should look like and experience. Dig into the epistles of Paul, where he openly confronted deception in the Church and admonished the Church body to love and keep the Truth. Examine Bible books and chapters verse-by-verse seeking the truth and power that comes from reading and studying God's Word. As our local Church has followed these steps, we've seen and felt a renewed dedication to the Truth and Biblical doctrine.



2) Holiness - A standard and a line drawn in the sand will build a wall that withstands the push of false doctrine. This standard comes in part with the accountability mentioned in the previous article. It can start with the pastor saying to the teachers and ministers in the church: "We will not allow that doctrine to be taught in the Church." Or, "We do not teach from that author's materials." It should also include the pastor and ministry teams preaching sermons and teaching lessons that identify false doctrines. Go to the example of Paul in the Epistles to see how specific he was in calling out the false doctrines and teachers that could be detrimental and destructive to the Church.

3) Confrontation - If someone has been lead astray unintentionally by something they have read or heard, pastors need to step in and alert that person to the presence of deception. If someone is leading others astray intentionally, they are a wolf, and there will have to be a conversation or confrontation. If intentional deception is occurring, it's not the time for complacency or tolerance. The venom of false doctrine can spread so quickly and has possibly already affected some in the church by the time the confrontation occurs. This is the moment you need those prayers you and others have been praying. You will feel the Holy Ghost in what can be a tense and uncomfortable meeting. You will feel the confidence of knowing that God has confirmed what needs to be done and said. You will see God guide the conversation and move hearts and people. He will honor your honor and love for the Truth!

4) Preach the Word - We serve a God of great depth.
 God's Word deserves a depth of study and searching out that will be conveyed in our teaching and preaching. Too much is on the line for shallow services and sermons. Shallowness is not how God deals with us. And it's not how we should deal with His people. I often use terms like "explore" "dig" "search" and "examine" when I describe Bible study. In my mind, these are treasure-hunting terms. For many years, I've studied historic treasures and the explorers who gave everything to discover them. Some of the stories are fascinating. Some are sad. All reflect a desire bordering on obsession that pulled at the treasure hunter with two convictions:

1. There was a treasure to be found and, 
2. It would be worth all the sacrifice and searching

Are we consumed with our exploration and searching of God's Word? Do we go into it with expectation and conviction that there is treasure to be found there? Do we stay at our study until we uncover the treasure that God has for us? This treasure analogy is no new idea, the man of wisdom conveyed it in Proverbs:

 "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God."   (Proverbs 2:1-5)

The depth of God's Word and wisdom is a powerful tool and defense against the enemy's lies and deceptions! Preach the Word from the depths of your study and exploration of the treasures that God has placed there!

Conclusion Deception will push against every door looking for a way in to lead people astray. Deception will "creep in unawares" (Jude 4). It will work behind the scenes and under the surface, and left unchecked it will destroy lives and can destroy Church bodies. We must stand against its advances. God has given us weapons and tools for this battle. His Spirit will help us be sensitive to the attack and give us boldness to confront it. His Word will give us sure-footing and a firm foundation. A Word that IS Truth (John 17:17).
Let's use what God has placed in our hands and we will be able to stand against deception. When this battle comes your way, I pray that you will be strong in the power of His might.