deception includes...
witchcraft
colossians 2:8
witchcraft deceives man into thinking they have power, that they're gods, and that their practices of it are valid and not wounding towards them. demons aim to deceive, they aim to turn you from your Father. the bible says "see to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ." (the scripture above). it is not true that the bible dismisses the power of witchcraft, or the fact that it has been here for a long time. of course it has, demons are old. plus, the bible shows on multiple occasions that witchcraft is real and warns against it. even people in the church practice witchcraft, and God knows it. Matthew 24:24, Matthew 7:21-23. in exodus when Moses was being sent by God to show God's power through miracles, the Pharaoh had his diviners replicate God's work (to their best ability), even though it proved to be nothing compared to God's power--which was apart of the point. God was showing him that he isn't in control. to practice spirituality outside of Christ is to put yourself in harms way and damn your soul. leviticus 19:31: “do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God." and many will say, "well everyone doesn't believe in your God. why should we abide by His word?" this is true, unbelievers are literally not expected to abide by God's word. However, the guy who runs divination believes in Him, and is against Him. you're abiding by his system. also, to this day there's millions of accounts of active witches being tortured because of their practices. so if the devil and demons believe God is Lord (which is why they actively work against His word and people) , and there's continual evidence His word is true........hm.
bad doctrine/legalism
2 corinthians 11: 12-15
the main form of deception in this life is the teaching of philosophies that repel people from seeking/experiencing God. if there's one thing God hates especially, it's the deceiving of His children. there is nothing more embarrassing than a pastor's exposure and stripping of pastoral rights by God. the bible says "a false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish". and people don't believe that because there are some churches where these leaders are still "thriving", but they forget God's word isn't just about current life, it speaks in terms of eternity as well. so just because you see an abusive leader thriving from their allegiance to satan's work, (the prince of this fallen world), don't let it seem as though God won't vindicate His body. (2 corinthians 11:13-15). in fact God already knew that there would come a time where false doctrine was preferred due to the continual increase in lawlessness (2 timothy 4:3). for those who are saved and just struggle unlearning/identifying the false doctrine they were subject to: there is no wrath for you. Galatians 5:7-10: ...who has held you back from following the truth? it certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. this false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you." God is aware and I have faith He will lead you in the direction of honest discipleship through His word and His true followers. no, you will not go to hell for wearing skirts or having piercings, your soul does not belong to the devil. Jesus says it is what comes OUT of the mouth that defiles a person--it's about the righteousness of your spirit. (matthew 15:11). so, if you're reading this and you've been affected by bad doctrine, false religion, legalism, etc. there is hope and freedom for you in Christ Jesus. and if you're a pastor or authoritative figure operating in deception and abuse of authority, repent and accept freedom and correction in Christ Jesus---like Paul did.
the sneaky forms of deception
mark 7: 20-23
many people are quick to point out the main subsets of deception like the ones above, however many don't realize that there are lots of "normalized" forms of deception that must be spoken against with the armor of God. the first to come to mind is unbelief. the main contributor to the enabling of confusion and deceit is unbelief-not believing God loves you, not believing God is good, not believing God is honest, not believing in Jesus, etc. these are what lead to sin and separation from God. don't be alarmed, God knows the difference in true unbelievers and believers who struggle. though neither forms of doubt are tolerated, God isn't clueless to knowing why you may struggle from time to time to believe in His goodness, that's why there's grace. that's why He gave us the word to guide us and has created multiple examples of His love and goodness for us to experience as a reminder. but when your trauma, or the enemy, or your worldly nature, or residue of false doctrine try to cause you to believe anything that could damage your relationship with your Father, it's to deceive you. it all flows from the fallen-ness of this world--but that's why the bible says greater is He that's in you than He who is in the world. that means that although believers and unbelievers equally struggle with doubt and unbelief, the Holy Spirit is powerful enough to reach and assist anyone, no matter how carnal their minds were or how confused their minds were. Jesus is the name that is exalted above all names for a reason--it holds the power that nothing else can take credit for or replicate.
another normalized form of deception is passiveness. "i have my own issues, i don't have time for anybody else's". that's not what Jesus said when He died for you on the cross. and that's not what He taught either. in the parable of the good samaritan, the first person to pass up the sickly homeless person on the street and not help them was a pastor/priest. it was the people of the church who felt themselves too busy or too good to help someone they didn't relate to physically, (even though their spirits were just as sickly as the man's physical body was). Galatians 6 verse 3 says "If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important." And there are countless teachings in the bible regarding serving others and thinking them as better than ourselves. Jesus literally became a servant of humanity and didn't use His equality with and as God to His own benefit---while simultaneously regular people couldn't even find it in themselves to be nice--and STILL can't. A literal God can restrict His title for the sake of people who hated Him and we can't give a homeless person $5? We can't give away those clothes we never wear and don't even want simply because we're too prideful about them being ours? We can't extend grace when we're on our 17th "I repent" of the day? Not to COMPLETELY mock us... just to remind us. John 13: 12-16.
encouragement
deuteronomy 31:6
if you easily worry about being deceived and being separated from God, like me, remember these things:
1. God is in control and has the power and WANT to answer your questions. James 1:5, Job 12:10
2. Remember the miracles of Jesus, He casted out demons that pleaded with Him not to--they have to listen to His authority which is placed in you. (the Holy Spirit). Matthew 8:28-33, Luke 10:19, James 4:7
3. Keep God in the loop with your stress and cast your cares onto Him so that He can reassure you and lead you in the right direction. Phillipians 4:6, Psalms 94:19
4. Don't be afraid of the growing heresy, prosperity gospel, immorality and divination that is wrecking havoc on the earth more and more each day. Don't feel bad for being scared, be transparent with God about your fears so that He can strengthen you. Remember God already knew it was coming, and your ending as a believer is eternal reconciliation with Him no matter what you see or deal with on this earth. Matthew 10:28, John 14:2-3
5. Pray. With your friends, with your pastor, by yourself, anything. Just pray. It doesn't have to be academic, just be genuine with the Lord and allow Him to know you and help you. God loves you and in the very end you WILL be alright. that is literally a promise, and He's good for them!! Romans 8:26, James 5:16, Matthew 26:41
​