How to Escape Deception - Zac Poonen - June 4, 2017
http://rlcfchurch.org/how-escape-deception River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that true deception comes when people reject the truth revealed in Scripture, rather than when false teachings are presented. The speaker emphasizes that the greatest defense against deception is a genuine love for the truth, both biblical truth and the truth about oneself. He uses his personal journey of correcting a misunderstanding about child baptism to illustrate that following Scripture, even when it contradicts cherished traditions, is vital for spiritual growth.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
How does Satan deceive believers?Satan does not deceive Christians using the names of non-Christian gods; he comes with a Bible and the name of Jesus, preaching another Jesus who does not demand hatred of sin.2 Thessalonians 2:9–10
Who are the ones who get deceived?Those who perish are the ones who did not receive the love of the truth and did not want to be saved from their sin.
Loving the truth in scripture and about oneselfLoving the truth means accepting when scripture contradicts your traditions, and accepting the painful MRI scan of your own heart when God shows you your selfishness and pride.John 17:17
Wanting to be saved from Adamic behaviorAvoiding deception requires not only loving the truth but earnestly wanting to be saved from inherited adamic behavior into the real nature of Christ.
The outer man decays while the inner man is renewed dailyPaul testifies that while our physical body decays automatically, our inner man must be renewed every single day through spiritual disciplines and taking up the cross.2 Corinthians 4:16
Every temptation is a choice between God and the sensesTemptations are choices between God and things that appeal to our physical senses, and our spiritual condition today is the sum total of all the choices we have made.
What is a true worshipper?A true worshipper is someone for whom God is everything, desiring nothing on earth other than God and His will.Psalm 73:25
Sitting at Jesus feet as the one necessary thingLike Mary who sat at Jesus' feet, we must prioritize listening to God's word over being distracted by good activities that crowd out the best.Luke 10:39
Following Jesus' example in financial mattersJesus never solicited money or went into debt, trusting the Father completely, and believers should only do what they can do in fellowship with Christ.
The expanding capacity of the Holy SpiritJust as a cup grows into a bucket, tub, lake, and river, our spiritual capacity increases as we walk in daily self-denial and are repeatedly filled by the Spirit.
Counting everything as loss to gain ChristPaul considered everything outside of Christ to be rubbish compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord.Philippians 3:7–8
Facing false accusations and being labeled a cultThroughout church history, those who have stood strictly for biblical holiness and a wholehearted life have faced accusations of heresy and being cults.
Keeping a blameless conscience like PaulLike the apostle Paul, who followed the way that others called a cult, we must focus on believing all of God's word and keeping a blameless conscience before God and men.Acts 24:14–16
A wholehearted life free from regretChoosing to take our walk with God seriously every day cleanses us of pride and selfishness, preparing us to look back at the end of life with zero regrets.
