“For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.” – Mark 13:22-23
The kind of deception that Jesus is warning about is much more subtle than most Christians realize. This isn’t about drawing believers away from church or Christianity. It is about corrupting those things. It isn’t about leading believers to reject God and embrace secular philosophies or systems which obviously aren’t of the Lord. Those things happen, but they aren’t what Jesus is warning about here.
These deceptions will involve people claiming to speak on behalf of Jesus, teach what Jesus taught, or even to be Jesus. These deceptions will sound like music to the ears of un-discerning Christians. They will sound like what you most want to hear. And yet, rather than leading believers closer to Jesus, they will lead them to a false Jesus. An earthly-minded Jesus. One concerned about wealth, power, comfort, or pleasure here. One that’s very friendly with the ways of the world. One which isn’t aligned to the Jesus revealed in the pages of Scripture.
Perhaps that version of Jesus affirms and celebrates sin. Perhaps that version of Jesus cheers on cruelty, corruption, greed, and condescension. Regardless, these deceptions are about building earthly kingdoms, particularly kingdoms that benefit those claiming to speak for Jesus. They promise solutions to the world’s problems or your problems through systems and policies rather than through the person and work of Jesus Christ. These deceptions will be attractive to believers because they sound almost like the truth of Scripture. They’ll be attractive to you.
The only prevention against deception is vigilance. Jesus said to be on guard. Be reading your Bible daily. Know what the real Jesus says, does, and cares about. Don’t be led astray! #FollowJesus