“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” — Matthew 7:15 (ESV)
People aren’t always who they appear to be. It’s easy to be deceived by those who seem kind, well-intentioned, or even spiritually wise; yet, their motives may not align with God’s truth. The Bible warns us repeatedly about false teachers, deceptive influences, and the dangers of following misguided leadership.
The religious leaders of Jesus’ time—the very ones who claimed to know God—were the ones who orchestrated His crucifixion. Similarly, in the wilderness, the Israelites experienced countless miracles; yet, they allowed themselves to be swayed by Korah’s rebellion against Moses' God-given authority (Numbers 16:1-3 KJV).
Even Eve, living in the perfection of Eden, was deceived by the serpent’s words, making her doubt God’s goodness. She believed the lie that something was being withheld from her, leading to sin entering the world (Genesis 3:1-6 KJV).
After Palm Sunday, when the crowds joyfully praised Jesus, it took only days for them to turn against Him, crying out for the release of Barabbas and demanding Jesus' crucifixion (Luke 23:18-21 KJV). Their shifting allegiance serves as a sobering reminder of how easily people can be influenced by voices of deception.
Guard Your Mind and Heart
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” — 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)
The enemy sets traps through rationalization, compromise, and appealing voices that encourage us to doubt God’s promises. Even well-meaning people can unintentionally lead us astray with their own misunderstandings of God’s ways. That’s why we must be discerning in whom we trust and what advice we follow.
Instead of following the opinions of others, we are called to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12 KJV). This means walking the straight and narrow path, remaining steadfast in our faith, and seeking God’s wisdom rather than the approval of people.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” — Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
A Prayer for Discernment
Heavenly Father, grant me wisdom to discern truth from deception. Help me to recognize the voices that seek to lead me away from Your path. Strengthen my heart to trust in Your Word and remain steadfast in faith. Let me not be swayed by human approval, but only seek to please You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
