Today I ask, do you have a love for His Truth? Well of course we do Joe! What a silly question! Satan knew Scripture and quoted it to Jesus (Mt. 4:6), yet he doesn't know the full truth of the Scriptures (1 Cor. 2:8). 

Satan appears as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14) and his ministers as apostles of Christ (v 13) and ministers of righteousness (v 15). 

Jesus warned that MANY would come in His name and deceive MANY (Mt. 24:5, 11). With lying signs and wonders (2 Th. 2:9) insomuch that if it were possible to deceive the elect (Mt. 24:24).

Even in the law of Moses (Dt. 13:1+), God warned saying that if a sign or wonder occurs at the hands or lips of a minister or their word comes to pass, to beware. Why? It's possible that they might be leading you astray to serve other Christs or Jesus' (2 Cor. 11:4), introducing false doctrine or gospels (2 Pet. 2:1+). 

But you say, "I'm a child of God. He won't let me be deceived." Yet, God warned us that He allowed these false teachers and prophets to be among us, to prove us, whether we truly love Him with ALL of our heart and soul. Whether we will fear Him, obey Him and serve Him (Dt. 13:3-4). 

Many do not have the love of the truth (Ps. 50:16-17; 2 Th. 2:10; 2 Tim. 4:3-4), therefore God gave them over and sent them a strong delusion that they would believe lies (Rom. 1:18-32; 2 Th. 2:11).

What? Surely you haven't been deceived? Surely you don't believe lies?

I have already mentioned how these deceivers would appear to be ministers of righteousness. Jesus called them sheep in wolves clothing (Mt. 7:15). Do you honestly believe that you cannot be deceived? We see examples of God's people being deceived and led astray from cover to cover of the Bible! Paul marvelled that the Galatians were removed to another perverted gospel, which is not another (Gal. 1:6-8). Paul warned the Corinthians as noted earlier - even warned them about those who corrupt the Word of God (2 Cor. 2:17), and handle it deceitfully (2 Cor. 4:2). 

Peter even warned saying that many would follow the false teacher's destructive ways (2 Pet. 2). John also gave many warnings even telling us to put to the test those who profess to be ministers of God (1 Jn. 4:1-3).

Paul warned the Romans to beware of their good words and fair speeches by which they deceive our hearts (Rom. 16:18). He warned the Ephesians not to be carried away with every wind of doctrine, by these "sheep in wolves clothing", who lie in wait to deceive (Eph. 4:14). Even that men would arise among them speaking a distorted message (Acts 20:30).

And the list of warnings go on. Why? Because God is a loving Father. We warn our own children about a hot burner on the stove, or to stay away from the road, or not to run around in a parking lot. Is not God's thoughts, ways and love far greater than ours? (Is. 55:8-9; Jer. 31:3; 1 Jn. 4:10) We warn and correct as seems good to us, yet God does it that we might be partakers of His holiness (Heb. 12:9-10). 

Again I ask, do you honestly love God and the truth of His Word? We are called to rightly divide the Word of truth that we may show ourselves approved before God and not ashamed (2 Tim. 2:15). We all, individually, will have to give an account to Him one day (Ecc. 12:14; Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10). And it's a fearful thing to fall into the hand of the living God! (Heb. 10:31)

Yet, I know of many who will listen to their preachers and favorite Bible teachers and not examine their message whether it is truth or not. Another sad thing I've discovered is that most don't even know how to rightly divide or study the Scriptures for themselves! 

Remember, a little leaven leavens the whole lump (Gal. 5:9). Strychnine in rat poison is deadly too!

Jesus warned the apostles to beware of the leaven/doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Mt. 16:11-12), the religious leaders of their day, who made disciples into twice the children of hell than themselves! (Mt. 23:15) Yet, you believe all that the preachers and teachers present you is truth? Sure, some of them even comfort you, telling you to trust them. That alone should be a warning sign! Are you like a noble Berean who searched, examined, investigated and scrutinized the apostle Paul's teachings to see if they agreed with the truth of Scripture? If a man God inspired to write much of the NT had people examining what he taught, how much more should you be scrutinizing everything you hear from all that handle the Word of God?

Will you stand approved before God for handling His Word, rightly dividing His Word, teaching His Word, receiving the Word spoken and examining it and applying it or will you be ashamed? MANY that call Him Lord are not His (Mt. 7:21-23; Lk. 6:46) Don't be deceived (Mt. 24:4; Lk. 21:8; 1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 6:7). Don't deceive yourself (1 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 6:3; Eph. 5:6; Jam. 1:22).