Watch Out!

By Danny Saavedra

“Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. ‘Do you see all these things?’ he asked. ‘Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.’ As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Messiah,” and will deceive many.’”—Matthew 24:1–5 (NIV)

“Watch out that no one deceives you.” As a believer, these are important words for us to live by. Why? Because there’s a lot out there: lies, propaganda, clever rhetoric, “fine-sounding arguments” and “hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world” (Colossians 2:4, 8 NIV), and fake news.

Some of it is nonsense we can easily disregard. But some of it is so expertly wrapped in pseudo-biblical language or pseudo-scientific/psychological terminology, or steeped in subtle post-modern, post-Christian ideology that’s been normalized through media and pop culture that we don’t even notice when we’re being indoctrinated.

There are more than 50 warnings in the New Testament against deception and false teaching. When the Lord repeats Himself on a topic that many times, it’s extremely important because it’s something we’ll be confronted with a lot. In this instance, Jesus warns against false teachers in the period between His ascension to heaven and His second coming (a.k.a. the “last days”).

To be clear, we’ve been living in the last days since Jesus ascended. So, Jesus offers this warning about people who will brandish His name and pretend to be Him or His representatives, but these people are liars and not of Jesus.

Many preach false gospels using Jesus’ name—progressive Christianity, universalist movements, prosperity gospel, and a variety of cults. The world is full of falsehoods that propagate lies about the gospel, sin, salvation, faith, and our Savior. But this has been happening pretty much since Jesus ascended. The New Testament is full of the apostles combatting false teachings (Gnosticism, Docetism, Legalism, license, and more).

The same applies to wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation, natural disasters, famines, tragedies, and atrocities. It’s all happened and continues to happen. Why? Because again, since Jesus ascended, we’ve been living in the last days!

So, what should our response be to this revelation? First, we must “watch out that no one deceives” us. John tells us, “Do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world” (1 John 4:1 NLT). Jesus warns, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matthew 7:15 NIV). Second, we must remember “about that day or hour no one knows” (Matthew 24:36 NIV) and how “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2 NIV).

So, instead of focusing on the temporal and momentary, on finding security and comfort in the things of this world, or on building palaces (or temples of worship) of splendor, ivory towers, or ornate monuments, or arguing about when He’s coming back or when the world will end, we must “occupy till [He] comes” (Luke 19:13 KJV). We must be about kingdom business, making disciples, standing guard, and walking and living according to the will of God and in the guidance of the Spirit.

Pause: Why does the Bible offer so many warnings about false teaching?

Practice: Take time this week to do as John instructs and test everything you believe through the truth of the Word. Examine your philosophies/ideologies, doctrines, and lifestyle and ensure you are in submission to what the Bible teaches.

Pray: Jesus, help me be vigilant and wise. Through Your Spirit, keep my heart and mind in submission to Your truth. If I believe anything that is not of You, if I have adopted worldly ideologies or philosophies that don’t align with Your heart, character, and will, reveal them and remove them! I desire to abide fully in You and Your truth! Amen.