DCLM Daily Manna – Beware Of Deception

DCLM Daily Manna 23 August 2023 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Beware Of Deception

TOPIC: Beware Of Deception (DCLM Daily Manna 23 August 2023)

KEY VERSE: “And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Mark 13:5,6).

TEXT: Mark 13:1-13 (KJV)

And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

MESSAGE:

The man of God that came from Judah did an excellent job in denouncing the idol worship by King Jeroboam who had led the northern kingdom of Israel into idolatry. The signs and miracles that he showed were proofs of the genuineness of his message and ministry. But then, an old prophet who could not condemn the evil going on in his city traced him on his way home, deceived, brought him back and made him eat, contrary to God’s instruction. He lost his life and ministry in the process.

A disciple had pointed the Temple and the beautiful stones by which it was adorned to Christ, to which the Lord answered that the edifice would be thrown down someday. Then four of His disciples wanted to know when these things would happen and the signs that would precede such things. The Lord responded by warning that many false prophets would come that shall deceive many, urging His followers to take heed in order to avoid falling victim to their deceptions.

The dictionary defines deception as “the act of deliberately making somebody believe something that is not true”. Deception comes in various ways and forms. From the Christian perspective, deception can be said to be the watering down the true gospel to “another gospel” that does not guarantee genuine salvation. It gives a false hope of eternal security.

Deceived disciples are made to believe that their dressing, conduct and associations no matter how worldly, do not matter before God. But any believer who desires to get to heaven must heed Christ’s warning to watch always.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
To gain your soul, flee from deceivers.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalm 19–23

Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.