Spiritual Deception

When Sincerity is Not Enough

Feb 04, 2025

Deception is one of the greatest dangers that can lead people away from the truth of God’s word. Jesus and the apostles repeatedly warned about the danger of being misled by false teachings, traditions of men, and misguided sincerity. Many believe they are serving God, yet they are actually opposing Him. We must diligently test all things against Scripture to avoid being deceived.

Jesus’ Warning in John 16:1-4

Jesus, in His final instructions to His disciples before His crucifixion, warned them about the coming persecution and deception:

“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.” (John 16:1-4, NKJV)

Jesus foresaw that many would persecute His followers under the false belief that they were serving God. This deception was so strong that it led people to commit acts of violence while believing they were righteous. This warning was not just for the disciples—it applies to us today.

If people could be deceived into believing that killing Christians was a service to God, how much more can they be deceived in matters of doctrine and salvation?

Paul: A Sincere but Deceived Persecutor

A prime example of this deception is the apostle Paul. Before his conversion, Paul was a zealous Pharisee who persecuted Christians, believing he was doing God’s will:

“Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.” (Acts 26:9-10, NKJV)

Paul sincerely believed he was serving God by opposing the church, but he was actually working against the truth. This mirrors many today who believe they are doing God’s will but are, in reality, rejecting His commandments. Sincerity does not equal truth—only obedience to God’s word does.

Denominations and Deception Today

Just as Paul was deceived before his conversion, many today are misled by man-made doctrines. Denominationalism has taught people that salvation is based on feelings, that belief alone is sufficient, and that baptism is optional. These ideas are not found in Scripture but are doctrines of men:

“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:8-9, NKJV)

Many sincerely believe they are serving God while following teachings such as Calvinism, Catholicism, and various other traditions that contradict God’s word. However, sincerity does not replace truth. The Bible is clear that salvation is not based on feelings or a one-time event, but on obedience to the gospel:

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16, NKJV)
“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:38, NKJV)

Testing All Things Against Scripture

God has given us His word as the ultimate standard. We must test everything we hear, ensuring that it aligns with Scripture:

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1, NKJV)
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, NKJV)

To avoid deception, we must diligently study God’s word, rejecting human traditions and teachings that contradict the Bible. The Bereans were commended for examining the Scriptures daily to verify the truth:

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11, NKJV)

Take Heed

Deception is dangerous because it blinds people from the truth while making them feel secure in their beliefs. Jesus warned His disciples to be on guard so they would not stumble. Paul’s example shows that zeal without knowledge can lead one to oppose God rather than serve Him. Today, many in denominationalism sincerely believe they are following Christ but have been deceived by doctrines of men. We must remain vigilant, always testing our beliefs against God’s word to ensure that we are walking in the truth. Let us take heed to Jesus’ warning and remain faithful to His commandments, rather than the traditions of men.