WATCH OUT

by Tammy Phillips
November 29, 2021

“And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you.’’’ (Matthew 24:4 NKJV)

I prayed and asked the Lord what He has to say today.  I did not have anything stored in the treasury vault waiting to be spread abroad.  I was hoping to lead off the week with an upbeat, encouraging word of blessing or exhortation, instead I got “warning.”  I could not run away from, so here we go. 

In Matthew 24 the disciples pulled Jesus aside and asked Him what would be the sign of His coming, and the end of the world?  His first response was, “take heed that no one deceives you.  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Matthew 24:4-5 KJV)

Jesus warned them and us.

Take Heed

• Watch out
• See
• Be aware
• Beware
• Continually watch

That no one

• No man
• No woman
• No person
• Nothing
• Anything
• Anyone
• Something
• Someone
• Anything ordinary
• Anything extraordinary

Deceive

• Roam about
• Go astray
• Err
• Seduce
• Wander
• Be out of the way
• Lead aside from the right way

He warns us again later again in Matthew 24:4, “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”   

Thank God for the warnings.  I love that He says, “if possible” in the verse above, meaning that it is impossible for the fake to deceive the True Lord. 

Sadly, I have fallen for the ploy of the devil.  I have deceived and I have been deceived.  I have allowed my mind to be misled.  I have believed what is false and disbelieved what is true.  I have been deluded. I have deceived to “protect ” my family. What a lie from the pits of hell. Satan’s mission is to deceive and that is why God hates the lie. Well,  I have fallen for the deception, but we do not have to.  I take Jesus’ warning very seriously.  I watch and am looking continually for the truth in all things.  If we do not take that stance, we will be deceived.

How do we avoid the deception? 

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This [is] the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21 NKJV)

And one of my all-time favorite guiding scriptures,

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8 NKJV)

The only way to way to wade through this world of deception is to follow Jesus. 

I enCOURAGE you. I share strength with your mind and spirit. I warn you again with the words of Jesus, “TAKE HEED THAT NO ONE DECEIVES YOU!”  Ask God, seek, watch, get into the Word of God, He will show you the way to go.  Trust Him!  He will guide you in all truth so you will not be deceived, but you have to watch continually and that is work.  It is not idly standing by.