Deceivers
But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:10-17 NKJV.
Trevor Tasker had romanced a 30-year-old woman through the Internet, but what a surprise was in store for him! He lived in South Carolina, and she lived in England. Trevor was full of hope when he flew to England to meet his new love. It must have been a surprise to discover that Wynema Shumate was not 30-something, or even 40-something, but 65-years-old. She was also several pounds heavier than Trevor had been led to believe. If that was not enough, Trevor found out that Wynema had been arrested earlier that same month when the body of her former roommate was found in a freezer at her home! She was only charged with the unauthorized removal of a dead body, because he did die of natural causes.
There have been a few deceivers in the financial world that have been revealed over the years. Bernard Madoff is perhaps at the top of the list of those who have inflicted damage on the unsuspecting. He is also typical of most deceivers in that he appears to have little, if any, remorse for his actions. Many good people were deceived by trusting others, who trusted others, who trusted Madoff. In the political world, there are also a multitude of deceivers who feel free to tell lies and half truths again and again.
In love, finances, politics and the spiritual world there will always be someone trying to deceive you. As Paul told Timothy, “evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” The apostle Paul gave Timothy some instructions about how to withstand those who would deceive him. Paul said: “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:14-15).” Paul then becomes even more specific and says: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).”
Very little of the time I spend watching television or surfing on the Internet is profitable. However, every moment I spend in God’s Word is profitable. It is profitable “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Spending time in God’s Word each day will make it much harder for someone to deceive you.
(In love, finances, politics and the spiritual world there will always be someone trying to deceive you.)