1. Deception About Jesus and the Gospel

These verses warn against counterfeit christs and distorted gospels.

· Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 24 (NIV): "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...' and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people... For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."

· 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NIV): "For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness."

· Galatians 1:6-8 (NIV): "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!"

· 1 John 4:1 (NIV): "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."

2. The Danger of Self-Deception

This is a powerful theme, warning that we can easily fool ourselves.

· James 1:22 (NIV): "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

· 1 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV): "Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become 'fools' so that you may become wise."

· Galatians 6:3 (NIV): "If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves."

· 1 John 1:8 (NIV): "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

3. Deception by Sin and Worldly Philosophy

These verses warn how sin and human wisdom can lead us away from God.

· Hebrews 3:13 (NIV): "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."

· Ephesians 5:6 (NIV): "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient."

· Colossians 2:8 (NIV): "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ."

· Romans 16:17-18 (NIV): "I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people."

4. The Source of Deception and the Antidote

The Bible identifies the ultimate deceiver and the ultimate truth that protects us.

· Revelation 12:9 (NIV): "The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray."

· John 8:44 (NIV): (Jesus speaking about the devil) "He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

· John 14:6 (NIV): (The Antidote) "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

· John 17:17 (NIV): (The Antidote) "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."