How to Avoid Being Deceived -- Zac Poonen -- March 31, 2021
http://rlcf.church/media/sermons/how-to-avoid-being-deceived River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is the necessity of guarding against spiritual deception, drawing from Jesus' warning to the disciples. The speaker emphasizes that understanding God's ways requires diligent Bible study, as human wisdom is insufficient. He uses the contrast between God and money (Mammon) to illustrate that one cannot serve both, suggesting that the ultimate test of one's allegiance is whether the call of money or the call of God proves more attractive in daily life.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Jesus' warning against spiritual deceptionWhen the disciples asked Jesus about the signs of His coming, the very first thing He warned them about was making sure no one deceives them.Matthew 24:3
God's ways are higher than our waysPeople often wonder why a loving God allows deceivers to exist, but Scripture reminds us that His wisdom and ways are infinitely higher than ours.Isaiah 55:8–9
Testing whether God or money is our masterJust as the tree in Eden tested Adam and Eve, money acts as an attractive force that exposes whether we truly serve God or mammon.
The deceitfulness of the human heartBeyond the devil's schemes, we are born with a heart that is deceitful above all things and capable of convincing us that we are spiritual when we are not.Jeremiah 17:9
Deception as a tool for siftingGod uses the trials and deceptions of life like a winnowing tray to separate the wheat from the chaff and purify genuine gold in the fire.
Why people perish and fall into deceptionThose who are deluded by Satan fall away because they refuse to receive the love of the truth and refuse to be truly saved from sin.2 Thessalonians 2:9
Testing beliefs against clear ScriptureMany believers hold onto traditions like a pre-tribulation rapture or infant baptism simply because it is popular, rather than surrendering to what is plainly written in the Bible.Matthew 24:29
Deceiving ourselves through an uncontrolled tongueIf anyone thinks they are spiritual yet cannot control their tongue in provocative moments, their entire religion is worthless and they are deceiving their own heart.
Finding the root cause when we stumbleWhen we fall into sin, we must look past mere apologies and recognize that we failed to receive grace because pride was present in our hearts.
The double ministry of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit shows us the glory of Jesus in the mirror of God's Word and actively transforms us into that exact likeness.2 Corinthians 3:18
Cleansing ourselves from all filthinessBelievers are called to cleanse themselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit while eagerly pursuing perfection in holiness out of reverence for God.
Living with a clear conscience before God's judgment seatIf we judge ourselves rightly and confess every minor speck on our conscience immediately, we can live with total assurance and stand blameless before the Lord.1 Corinthians 11:31
