“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
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.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
