These passages in Matthew are ones that I hold dear and ones we can keep close to our hearts. Difficulties can come against us that seem impossible to endure, evoking fear, confusion, and doubt. What we can be sure of is that when we go through them God will undertake for us. Our strength comes from Christ and in Him we will overcome and endure until the end.

 

However, Jesus warns us to not be deceived, we are a fallen people with fleshly desires and a will that persists in its attempts to rise up. This makes us vulnerable; it would be naive to think we are not susceptible to deception. Jesus knows our weaknesses and so He warns us to guard ourselves.

 

Deception can come in many forms, from people around us like family, friends or other Christians, education and upbringing, lies of the enemy in our own minds causing introspection and mental health issues, social media, politicians, society and its various messages of sexuality, self-promotion, rights, choice and indulgences, or even we can be deceived by pastors and spiritual leaders giving false prophecy or heretic teaching.

 

It is so sad that many educated people end up completely entangled in the traps of this world, and empty in their pursuit for truth. I can think of a few who have lost much of their lives to alcoholism as they try to fill the void within. How different it would be if they would look beyond the lies and see Christ.

 

On a larger scale, nations can be greatly harmed when its people are deceived. Throughout history the blood of millions is on the hands of false messiahs, dictators, and extremists.

 

Deception and confusion are works of Satan.

 

Jesus said… ”Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:43-44)

 

We are surrounded by the lies of the enemy but we can take heart! We do not need to listen.

 

If you are in a place of anxiety, confusion, fear or doubt, come before Christ once again and seek the truth. If you are bombarded by difficulty, introspection and lies, don’t accept it! Proclaim God’s word, fast, pray, and fix your eyes on Him.

 

As Christians we are anchored by unwavering and uncompromising truth that Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and in Him we are more than conquerors. This is what we are to hold onto if we are not to be deceived and endure until the end. Amid all the chaos, in this truth, we can be at peace resting securely in Him no matter what comes against us.