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When what looks trustworthy leads us astray
09/20/26
1 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”
2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately,
4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”
5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.
7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. — Mark 13:1–8 NIV
21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.
22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. — Mark 13:21–23 NIV
Jesus is revealing the future so we will know how to live in the present.
“Precisely because we cannot predict the moment, we must be ready at all moments.” — C. S. Lewis, The World’s Last Night
Jesus is revealing events from multiple time periods in the same teaching moment.
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. v. 22
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. — Matthew 7:15 NIV
An appearance of goodness does not guarantee a heart of goodness.
We keep our guard up against wolves by testing everything.
Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. — 1 Thessalonians 5:20–22 NIV
We keep our guard up against wolves by looking at their fruit.
By their fruit you will recognize them. — Matthew 7:16a NIV
…Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. — Acts 9:17 NIV
[Saul] began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. — Acts 9:20 NIV
The problem with being deceived is that from the inside, it feels like being right.
…the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. — John 14:26 NIV
‘Holy Spirit teach me. Show me what I’m missing. Correct what I’ve misunderstood. Help me receive the truth, even when it challenges what I already believe.’
“…the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.” —CS Lewis Mere Christianity
Test what you hear. Examine what you see. Let the Holy Spirit teach you to walk in the ways of the Lord.