The Rise of Deception
This is a wake-up call for the Church! We are living in perilous times and days that the Bible describes as “the last days.”
Our world is filled with chaos, confusion, and a hunger for truth, yet many are being fed lies from pulpits, podcasts, and platforms that once claimed to honor God.
⚠️ Jesus warns us to beware the wolves in sheep's clothing.
There are many modern false prophets and wolves in sheep’s clothing that have infiltrated the Church.
A Cry for Discernment in the Last Days
This is not just ancient warning; it is a cry from God’s heart to ours today. The Scriptures, written thousands of years ago, shine with eternal relevance and urgency.
These warnings are not to be taken lightly; they are a divine alert to remain vigilant, sober, and grounded in truth.
The Truth Under Attack
The “way of truth”, the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Holy Bible, the call to repentance, the holiness of God, and the authority of Scripture is increasingly being mocked, misrepresented, and slandered, even by those within the church.
- Biblical morality is called “intolerant”: When Christians stand for God’s design for marriage, gender, or sexual purity, they are labeled as hateful, judgmental, or “on the wrong side of history.”
- Holiness is mocked: A life of righteousness, modesty, self-denial, and separation from the world is seen as old-fashioned or legalistic, rather than as obedience to God.
- Sound doctrine is replaced with feel-good messages: Preaching about sin, hell, and judgment is criticized as being negative or unloving. The truth is no longer welcome, and those who preach it are called divisive or out of touch.
- True Christians are Slandered: True believers who stand firm on the Word of God are often accused of being religious fanatics, conspiracy theorists, or enemies of progress.
- Social and media influence: Movies, TV shows, podcasts, and influencers frequently portray Christians as hypocrites, abusers, or fools - turning public opinion against authentic faith.
- The exclusivity of Christ is attacked: Saying “Jesus is the only way” is now considered arrogant or narrow-minded, even though it is Jesus Himself who said it (John 14:6).
📖 John 14:6
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Scriptural Warnings from the Word of God
📖 2 Peter 2:1-3
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”
Commentary: We are witnessing this prophecy unfold before our very eyes.
Peter warns us that false teachers don’t come with horns and pitchforks. Instead, they come subtly, privily, speaking what sounds spiritual, but deny the Lord. They exploit people for money, twist doctrine, and destroy souls.
Peter warns us that the corrupt lives and deceit of false teachers, the true Gospel would be misrepresented. When the world sees prosperity preachers, scandals in churches, and distorted gospels, they associate that with Christianity as a whole, and so, the “way of truth is evil spoken of.”
👉 Many reject the real Jesus because they’ve only seen the counterfeit.
📖 Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
Commentary:
Jesus Himself cautions us. These deceivers look the part.
They look "gentle", "godly", "loving", but inside, they are predators. Their goal is not to feed the flock but to feed on the flock.
📖 Matthew 24:24
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
Commentary:
False prophets are not just mistaken, they are empowered to perform "miracles" to validate their lies. This is a satanic deception aimed at even the most sincere believers. Are you alert? Are you paying attention?
📖 Mark 13:22
“For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.”
Commentary:
Mark reinforces the same urgent message that deception will be powerful, supernatural, and persuasive.
Are you prepared to discern truth from a lie, no matter how dazzling it looks?
📖 1 John 4:1-6
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Commentary:
John teaches that spiritual discernment is essential. Not every preacher, prophet, or “Christian influencer” speaks by the Holy Spirit.
We must test the spirits. The spirit of Antichrist works through false teachers, especially in our modern world.
📖 2 John 1:7-11
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Commentary:
Truth matters. Doctrine matters. To receive those who preach error is to partake in their evil deeds. This passage speaks strongly against compromise.
2 Timothy 3:5
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
Commentary:
Many in the last days will look religious but have no real connection with the transforming power of Christ.
We are told not to entertain them, not even as spiritual equals.
📖 2 Timothy 4:3
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”
Commentary:
False teachers rise because people want them.
Many today prefer soothing lies over hard truth. They seek entertainment, self-help, or prosperity instead of repentance and righteousness.
Modern Application: Wolves in Our Midst
False prophets today do not always look like cult leaders. They may be bestselling authors, popular pastors, or social media influencers.
They talk of love but never of sin.
They talk of blessing but never of judgment.
They promise peace but lead souls to destruction.
They fill stadiums but empty hearts of conviction.
⚠️ They sell the gospel like merchandise, twist grace into a license to sin, and subtly redefine Jesus in their own image.
Self-Assessment & Soul-Searching Questions
Take time to deeply reflect on these questions:
- Am I grounded in the Word of God?
Do I study the Bible daily, or do I rely solely on others to tell me what God says? - Do I know the true Gospel?
Can I identify the difference between biblical truth and popular distortion? - Have I embraced hard truth or comforting lies?
Do I love sound doctrine (even when it convicts me) or do I prefer what pleases my ears? - Have I tested the teachers I listen to?
Do they preach Christ crucified and risen, or are they self-help motivators in disguise? - Am I led by the Spirit or by sensationalism?
Do signs and wonders sway me more than the quiet conviction of the Holy Ghost? - Do I share truth or shy away from controversy?
Am I willing to stand for truth, even if it costs me friends, followers, or comfort? - Am I living in holiness, or just looking religious?
Do I have a form of godliness without real transformation and obedience?
Conclusion
Beloved, these are not suggestions, they are divine warnings. The presence of false prophets is a sign of the times.
The Word of God is our sword, and the Holy Spirit our guide.
We must be watchful, wise, and unwavering.
Let us not be led astray by smooth-talking wolves or dazzling signs. Let us cling to the cross, pursue holiness, and love the truth, even when it cuts deep.
This world is dark, but Christ is the Light. Walk in Him.
May we be found faithful, not foolish.
Watchful, not wandering.
Holy, not hollow.
Jesus is coming. Let no man deceive you.