The Strait and Narrow

To be deceived is to believe a lie, and not knowing the difference.

Synonyms: deceive, mislead, delude, beguile mean to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness. Deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness <tried to deceive me about the cost>. Mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional <I was misled by the confusing sign>. Delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth <we were deluded into thinking we were safe>. Beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving <was beguiled by false promises>.

People that are deceived will not know that they have been deceived. They will base their belief on someone else’s belief. The serpent in the garden deceived or better “beguiled” Eve and Adam. This is why Paul wrote;

2 Cor. 11:

3. “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguile Eve through his subtilty, so your mind should be corrupted from simplicity that is in Christ.

4. For if he that cometh preaching another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”

The “him” in verse 4 also can be translated “me” as Paul may have again been asking to bear with him as in verse 1.

The Corinthian’s were being deceived by the false apostles that were speaking of Jesus, gospel and spirit in a more excellent way. The apostle desired to preserve the Corinthians from being corrupted by the false apostles. There is but one Jesus, one Spirit, and one gospel, to be preached to them, and received by them; and why should any be prejudiced, by the devices of an adversary, against him who first taught them in faith? They should not listen to men, who, without cause, would draw them away from those who were the means of their conversion.

Paul also had to commend his own work because the Corinthian were so accepting this new Jesus from the false apostles by their excellent speaks.

13. “For such are false apostles deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

14. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

15. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

Remember that these called themselves apostles, but where in turn the apostles of Satan. So true today there are some that say they are of Christ, and claim to do his work, but are the ministers of Satan. The most deceitful way that this is used today in Christianity by Satan is to “love our neighbor” He would that we look over their sins and only show them love without any kind of rebuking so they need not to repent of sin. Without repentance of sin no one will be saved.  Then some claim to be saved, but continue to sin and Satan would that we only show love. This would be another Jesus that some will come preaching and will deceive many.

Today we can see were many false apostles and teachers are speaking of Jesus in so many difference ways. Speaking that Jesus is all Love and leaving out the judgment that also is giving to him.  They speak of this Jesus because they don’t want that part of Jesus which will judge them in their sin. To have salvation without repentance of one’s sin.

Others speak of Jesus as a great Blessing that will give gifts of love to his children without speaking of repentance, or forsaking of ones sin. Others speak of as Christains we should accept adulterers as members of the church without asking them to forsake their sin and we should only show them love.

James told it this way “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of this world is the enermy of God” james 4:4