LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU! WAKE UP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

[bdavidc]

There is a warning running through the Word of God that ought to shake every person who claims to follow Jesus Christ. It is a warning to the churchgoer, the preacher, the Bible teacher, the religious man, the religious woman, and the lost sinner searching for salvation. It is a warning that many read but few seem to take seriously.

“LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU!”

Jesus said it. Paul said it. John said it. And yet, look around at how easily people accept almost anything as long as somebody attaches the name of Jesus to it!

Jesus warned in Matthew 24:4, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” He did not say, “Take heed that no atheist deceive you.” He said, “NO MAN!” That includes the preacher behind the pulpit, the teacher holding a Bible, the evangelist drawing crowds, the man claiming to speak for God, and yes, even the person writing this warning!

If what I tell you contradicts Scripture, reject it! If what your pastor teaches contradicts Scripture, reject it! If what you have believed for fifty years contradicts Scripture, reject it! God's Word does not become false because a thousand preachers disagree with it, and a lie does not become truth because millions believe it.

The question is not whether a preacher can move a crowd. The question is whether he is preaching the truth of God's Word!

Paul warned in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 that false apostles can disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness. Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Do you understand what that means? Deception does not always walk through the door looking wicked. Sometimes it carries a Bible, speaks softly about love, quotes Scripture, and promises people heaven while leading them away from the truth that can save them.

And some of you have become so attached to your favorite preacher, your church, your religious traditions, or your own understanding that you will defend those things even when Scripture stands against them.

That is a dangerous place to be!

Paul said in Galatians 1:8, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

Did you catch that? Even an angel from heaven has no authority to change the gospel! Yet people today will accept dreams, visions, supposed revelations, clever explanations, and persuasive religious arguments without ever opening their Bibles to see whether these things are true.

But there is something even more frightening than being deceived by another person.

YOU CAN DECEIVE YOURSELF!

James 1:22 says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

You can sit in church your entire life and never truly belong to Christ. You can know the language of Christianity, quote Scripture, argue doctrine, teach Sunday school, give money, and tell everyone you are saved while your heart remains far from God.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:22-23:

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Stop and consider those words carefully.

These people were not atheists mocking Jesus. They called Him Lord! They claimed to have done great things in His name! They were confident they belonged to Him.

BUT JESUS SAID, “I NEVER KNEW YOU!”

Imagine standing before Jesus Christ, expecting to hear, “Well done,” only to hear, “Depart from me.” Imagine discovering too late that the religion you trusted, the teaching you followed, and the confidence you carried were never grounded in the truth of God's Word.

That is not something to dismiss lightly. Jesus Himself gave that warning, and He gave it because what we believe about Him, His gospel, and salvation matters eternally.

Now understand something else. Salvation is not earned by keeping commandments, performing religious works, or proving yourself worthy of heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

But neither does Scripture teach that a person can claim to know Christ while peacefully embracing the very sin Christ came to save us from.

First John 3:7 says, “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.”

John is not teaching that righteous behavior purchases salvation. He is warning us not to confuse a profession of faith with the evidence of a life changed by God. Read the whole passage. A life characterized by the practice of sin is not something Scripture tells us to excuse with empty religious words.

And do not overlook the seriousness of refusing the truth. Second Thessalonians 2:10 speaks of those who perish “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

That ought to trouble anyone who is more interested in defending what they already believe than discovering what God actually says.

You say you love Jesus. Then listen to His Word! You say you believe the Bible. Then examine what you have been taught! You say you want the truth. Then stop defending anything Scripture exposes as false!

The Bereans were called noble because they “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). They examined even Paul's preaching against the Scriptures. Yet many today will spend hours listening to sermons and watching religious videos but hardly a moment checking whether what they heard was actually biblical.

WHO ARE YOU REALLY FOLLOWING? JESUS CHRIST, OR SOMEONE WHO TALKS ABOUT HIM?

And to the person who is still searching for salvation, hear this carefully. You do not need another religious performance, another man-made path to heaven, or another gospel dressed up in Christian language. You need Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Acts 4:12 declares that there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. And Acts 20:21 speaks of “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

There is no salvation in religious popularity. There is no salvation in a church membership roll. There is no salvation in following a preacher, repeating somebody else's words, or trusting your own goodness. Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone.

So here is the warning, and I include myself in it.

EXAMINE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD!

Second Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”

Do not ask whether your beliefs make you comfortable. Ask whether they are true according to Scripture. Do not ask whether your pastor agrees with you. Ask whether God agrees with what you have believed. Do not ask how many people follow a teaching. Ask whether that teaching can stand under the examination of God's written Word.

And when God's Word exposes an error, do not argue with it. Do not twist another passage to escape it. Do not accuse the person showing you Scripture of being unloving simply because the truth makes you uncomfortable.

HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD AND RECEIVE HIS WORD!

Hebrews 3:15 says, “To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”

This warning may wake you up, or you may harden your heart against it. I cannot judge what is in your heart, but God can. And the same Word that warns you today will not change when you stand before Him.

Do not wait until the day of judgment to discover that you spent your life following a counterfeit gospel, trusting a false assurance, or defending a lie because you refused to examine it by Scripture.

WAKE UP! OPEN YOUR BIBLE! EXAMINE WHAT YOU BELIEVE! REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!

Jesus Christ did not warn us about deception so we could admire the warning and go back to sleep. He warned us so we would take heed.

“Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Matthew 24:4)

And remember, the man who deceives you may be the one you trust most. He may even be the man looking back at you in the mirror.

 

[Nathaniel]

There is a warning running through the Word of God that ought to shake every person who claims to follow Jesus Christ. It is a warning to the churchgoer, the preacher, the Bible teacher, the religious man, the religious woman, and the lost sinner searching for salvation. It is a warning that many read but few seem to take seriously.

“LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU!”

Jesus said it. Paul said it. John said it. And yet, look around at how easily people accept almost anything as long as somebody attaches the name of Jesus to it!

Jesus warned in Matthew 24:4, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” He did not say, “Take heed that no atheist deceive you.” He said, “NO MAN!” That includes the preacher behind the pulpit, the teacher holding a Bible, the evangelist drawing crowds, the man claiming to speak for God, and yes, even the person writing this warning!

If what I tell you contradicts Scripture, reject it! If what your pastor teaches contradicts Scripture, reject it! If what you have believed for fifty years contradicts Scripture, reject it! God's Word does not become false because a thousand preachers disagree with it, and a lie does not become truth because millions believe it.

The question is not whether a preacher can move a crowd. The question is whether he is preaching the truth of God's Word!

Paul warned in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 that false apostles can disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness. Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Do you understand what that means? Deception does not always walk through the door looking wicked. Sometimes it carries a Bible, speaks softly about love, quotes Scripture, and promises people heaven while leading them away from the truth that can save them.

And some of you have become so attached to your favorite preacher, your church, your religious traditions, or your own understanding that you will defend those things even when Scripture stands against them.

That is a dangerous place to be!

Paul said in Galatians 1:8, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

Did you catch that? Even an angel from heaven has no authority to change the gospel! Yet people today will accept dreams, visions, supposed revelations, clever explanations, and persuasive religious arguments without ever opening their Bibles to see whether these things are true.

But there is something even more frightening than being deceived by another person.

YOU CAN DECEIVE YOURSELF!

James 1:22 says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

You can sit in church your entire life and never truly belong to Christ. You can know the language of Christianity, quote Scripture, argue doctrine, teach Sunday school, give money, and tell everyone you are saved while your heart remains far from God.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:22-23:

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Stop and consider those words carefully.

These people were not atheists mocking Jesus. They called Him Lord! They claimed to have done great things in His name! They were confident they belonged to Him.

BUT JESUS SAID, “I NEVER KNEW YOU!”

Imagine standing before Jesus Christ, expecting to hear, “Well done,” only to hear, “Depart from me.” Imagine discovering too late that the religion you trusted, the teaching you followed, and the confidence you carried were never grounded in the truth of God's Word.

That is not something to dismiss lightly. Jesus Himself gave that warning, and He gave it because what we believe about Him, His gospel, and salvation matters eternally.

Now understand something else. Salvation is not earned by keeping commandments, performing religious works, or proving yourself worthy of heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

But neither does Scripture teach that a person can claim to know Christ while peacefully embracing the very sin Christ came to save us from.

First John 3:7 says, “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.”

John is not teaching that righteous behavior purchases salvation. He is warning us not to confuse a profession of faith with the evidence of a life changed by God. Read the whole passage. A life characterized by the practice of sin is not something Scripture tells us to excuse with empty religious words.

And do not overlook the seriousness of refusing the truth. Second Thessalonians 2:10 speaks of those who perish “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

That ought to trouble anyone who is more interested in defending what they already believe than discovering what God actually says.

You say you love Jesus. Then listen to His Word! You say you believe the Bible. Then examine what you have been taught! You say you want the truth. Then stop defending anything Scripture exposes as false!

The Bereans were called noble because they “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). They examined even Paul's preaching against the Scriptures. Yet many today will spend hours listening to sermons and watching religious videos but hardly a moment checking whether what they heard was actually biblical.

WHO ARE YOU REALLY FOLLOWING? JESUS CHRIST, OR SOMEONE WHO TALKS ABOUT HIM?

And to the person who is still searching for salvation, hear this carefully. You do not need another religious performance, another man-made path to heaven, or another gospel dressed up in Christian language. You need Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Acts 4:12 declares that there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. And Acts 20:21 speaks of “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

There is no salvation in religious popularity. There is no salvation in a church membership roll. There is no salvation in following a preacher, repeating somebody else's words, or trusting your own goodness. Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone.

So here is the warning, and I include myself in it.

EXAMINE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD!

Second Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”

Do not ask whether your beliefs make you comfortable. Ask whether they are true according to Scripture. Do not ask whether your pastor agrees with you. Ask whether God agrees with what you have believed. Do not ask how many people follow a teaching. Ask whether that teaching can stand under the examination of God's written Word.

And when God's Word exposes an error, do not argue with it. Do not twist another passage to escape it. Do not accuse the person showing you Scripture of being unloving simply because the truth makes you uncomfortable.

HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD AND RECEIVE HIS WORD!

Hebrews 3:15 says, “To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”

This warning may wake you up, or you may harden your heart against it. I cannot judge what is in your heart, but God can. And the same Word that warns you today will not change when you stand before Him.

Do not wait until the day of judgment to discover that you spent your life following a counterfeit gospel, trusting a false assurance, or defending a lie because you refused to examine it by Scripture.

WAKE UP! OPEN YOUR BIBLE! EXAMINE WHAT YOU BELIEVE! REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!

Jesus Christ did not warn us about deception so we could admire the warning and go back to sleep. He warned us so we would take heed.

“Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Matthew 24:4)

And remember, the man who deceives you may be the one you trust most. He may even be the man looking back at you in the mirror.

Not much to disagree with here.
Yah be praised!

 

[Scott Downey]

I like how John wrote about this also, about the annointing true believers have from God to know the truth
No lie is of the truth
What that means is they can not ever mix.
People are like Jesus describes in Matthew 7

Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 7 - 21st Century King James Version

"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to...

classic.biblegateway.com

13 “Enter ye in at the strait gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat.

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?

17 Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.

20 Therefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 “Not every one that saith unto Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of My Father who is in Heaven.

22 Many will say to Me in that Day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name, and in Thy name have cast out devils, and in Thy name done many wonderful works?’

23 And then will I profess unto them, ‘I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.’

Bible Gateway passage: 1 John 2 - 21st Century King James Version

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we know that we know Him...

classic.biblegateway.com

12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.

13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the Word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

18 Little children, it is the last time. And as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists, whereby we know that this is the last time.

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us. But they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denieth the Father and the Son.

23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father; he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

24 Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father.

25 And this is the promise that He hath promised us: even eternal life.

26 These things have I written unto you concerning those who seduce you.

27 But the anointing which ye have received from Him abideth in you, and ye have no need that any man teach you. But as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.

28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He shall appear we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

29 If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one who doeth righteousness is born of Him.

 

[Scott Downey]

NO LIE IS OF THE TRUTH, false teachers, false prophets, do not have good works and good words.
They are corrupted.

Bad trees can not Jesus said, bear good fruit
Everyone who does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire...

1 John 2

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you[e] know all things. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

Let Truth Abide in You​

24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.

26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to [f]deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you [g]will abide in Him.

 

[Scott Downey]

Bible Gateway passage: 2 Peter 3:15-17 - New King James Version

and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people...

classic.biblegateway.com

15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;

Honestly, everyone should examine themselves to see if they are in the faith, as in saved

2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

 

[RandyDawson]

There is a warning running through the Word of God that ought to shake every person who claims to follow Jesus Christ. It is a warning to the churchgoer, the preacher, the Bible teacher, the religious man, the religious woman, and the lost sinner searching for salvation. It is a warning that many read but few seem to take seriously.

A lot of people seem to think this is all a moot point because they claim once a person gets born again it matters not how they live whether they walk with the Lord or not because they claim it's never possible for anybody to lose their salvation so they would have a big yawn when anyone tries to tell them about warnings from the Lord.

 

[marks]

A lot of people seem to think this is all a moot point because they claim once a person gets born again it matters not how they live whether they walk with the Lord or not because they claim it's never possible for anybody to lose their salvation so they would have a big yawn when anyone tries to tell them about warnings from the Lord.

That doesn't sound like someone in a relationship with Jesus.

Much love!

 

[bdavidc]

A lot of people seem to think this is all a moot point because they claim once a person gets born again it matters not how they live whether they walk with the Lord or not because they claim it's never possible for anybody to lose their salvation so they would have a big yawn when anyone tries to tell them about warnings from the Lord.

You're absolutely right, and this is exactly why I believe so many people are being deceived about salvation.

The problem isn't that someone can be truly born again and then live however they please. The problem is that many people think they're saved when they've never actually been born again!

Second Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

A person who has truly been born again has been changed by God. That doesn't mean Christians never sin, but they don't continue living in sin as though nothing has changed.

First John 3:9 says, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."

John is describing a life that is no longer characterized by the practice of sin. Compare that with 1 John 2:1, where he acknowledges that believers can still sin.

And here's what ought to get everyone's attention. Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14 that the way to destruction is broad, and MANY go that way, but the way to life is narrow, and FEW FIND IT!

Then in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus warns about people who will stand before Him calling Him Lord, fully expecting to enter heaven. Yet He will declare, "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Notice what Jesus said. "I NEVER KNEW YOU!"

These weren't people who had genuinely belonged to Christ and then lost their salvation. They were people who had a religious profession without a genuine relationship with Him.

That's what makes this so dangerous. People can repeat a prayer, attend church, claim to believe in Jesus, and convince themselves they're saved while their lives show no evidence of being born again.

James 2:17 says, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

We're not saved by works. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes that clear. But genuine saving faith produces a changed life. A faith that leaves someone comfortably living in rebellion against God is not the living faith Scripture describes.

Millions may be trusting a profession they made instead of examining whether they truly belong to Jesus Christ. Scripture does not tell us how many such people there are, but Jesus plainly warns that many will be deceived.

That's why these warnings matter so much. Giving people assurance of heaven simply because they once said the right words, regardless of whether they were genuinely converted, is a dangerous deception.

Second Corinthians 13:5 says, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves."

Jesus said few find the narrow way. We had better stop telling people they're safe on the broad road simply because they claim to know Him.

The question isn't whether someone once said they believed in Jesus. The question is whether they have truly been born again and belong to Him.

 

[RandyDawson]

That doesn't sound like someone in a relationship with Jesus.

Reckon somebody should warn them them?

The problem isn't that someone can be truly born again and then live however they please. The problem is that many people think they're saved when they've never actually been born again!

And others got born again but departed from the faith later.

1 Timothy 4:1,2
Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron

2 Timothy 4:3,4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (teaching); but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

 

[Scott Downey]

Reckon somebody should warn them them?





And others got born again but departed from the faith later.

1 Timothy 4:1,2
Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron

2 Timothy 4:3,4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (teaching); but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

They depart from the church of Christ-God and the faith, but they were all show, never been truly converted on the inside, they were not of us. Now it is ok to go to another church, but not to depart from the faith, that is a visible example of who they really are.

1 John 2
18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the[d] Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you[e] know all things. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

 

[RandyDawson]

they were all show, never been truly converted on the inside

Which of course you cannot prove since no man knows the things of a man's heart except for that man and God - 1 Corinthians 2:11

But, thank you so much for taking the time to share your speculation with everyone. We appreciate the effort.

God is very clear in His Word that some do get born again and later fall away from the faith.

 

[bdavidc]

Reckon somebody should warn them them?

And others got born again but departed from the faith later.

1 Timothy 4:1,2
Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron

2 Timothy 4:3,4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (teaching); but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

You are adding “born again” to passages that do not say those people were born again. First Timothy 4:1 warns about departing from the faith, and 2 Timothy 4:3–4 warns about rejecting sound doctrine. Those warnings are real, but neither passage establishes your claim about their previous spiritual condition.

John directly addresses people who departed and denied Christ: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (1 John 2:19). Their departure revealed that they had not truly belonged. They had been among believers, but being among believers is not the same as being born again.

That is not speculation about someone’s heart. It is what John says about the people he describes. Paul also writes, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him” (Titus 1:16). Scripture plainly distinguishes claiming to know God from actually knowing Him.

Jesus makes that distinction unmistakable in Matthew 7:23: “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” These people called Him Lord and claimed works done in His name, yet He never knew them. Their profession was not proof of conversion.

I am not dismissing the warnings. I am warning against assuming that everyone who once professed faith was truly born again. Scripture exposes false professions, and we cannot leave those passages out of this discussion.

 

[RandyDawson]

First Timothy 4:1 warns about departing from the faith, and 2 Timothy 4:3–4 warns about rejecting sound doctrine. Those warnings are real, but neither passage establishes your claim about their previous spiritual condition.

I see so these passages were written to sinners out in the world then?

John directly addresses people who departed and denied Christ: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (1 John 2:19).

You are adding “born again” to passages that do not say those people were born again.

Paul also writes, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him” (Titus 1:16)

So Paul is teaching works based salvation then since in works they deny the Lord?

 

[ScottA]

There is a warning running through the Word of God that ought to shake every person who claims to follow Jesus Christ. It is a warning to the churchgoer, the preacher, the Bible teacher, the religious man, the religious woman, and the lost sinner searching for salvation. It is a warning that many read but few seem to take seriously.

“LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU!”

Jesus said it. Paul said it. John said it. And yet, look around at how easily people accept almost anything as long as somebody attaches the name of Jesus to it!

Jesus warned in Matthew 24:4, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” He did not say, “Take heed that no atheist deceive you.” He said, “NO MAN!” That includes the preacher behind the pulpit, the teacher holding a Bible, the evangelist drawing crowds, the man claiming to speak for God, and yes, even the person writing this warning!

If what I tell you contradicts Scripture, reject it! If what your pastor teaches contradicts Scripture, reject it! If what you have believed for fifty years contradicts Scripture, reject it! God's Word does not become false because a thousand preachers disagree with it, and a lie does not become truth because millions believe it.

The question is not whether a preacher can move a crowd. The question is whether he is preaching the truth of God's Word!

Paul warned in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 that false apostles can disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness. Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Do you understand what that means? Deception does not always walk through the door looking wicked. Sometimes it carries a Bible, speaks softly about love, quotes Scripture, and promises people heaven while leading them away from the truth that can save them.

And some of you have become so attached to your favorite preacher, your church, your religious traditions, or your own understanding that you will defend those things even when Scripture stands against them.

That is a dangerous place to be!

Paul said in Galatians 1:8, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

Did you catch that? Even an angel from heaven has no authority to change the gospel! Yet people today will accept dreams, visions, supposed revelations, clever explanations, and persuasive religious arguments without ever opening their Bibles to see whether these things are true.

But there is something even more frightening than being deceived by another person.

YOU CAN DECEIVE YOURSELF!

James 1:22 says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

You can sit in church your entire life and never truly belong to Christ. You can know the language of Christianity, quote Scripture, argue doctrine, teach Sunday school, give money, and tell everyone you are saved while your heart remains far from God.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:22-23:

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Stop and consider those words carefully.

These people were not atheists mocking Jesus. They called Him Lord! They claimed to have done great things in His name! They were confident they belonged to Him.

BUT JESUS SAID, “I NEVER KNEW YOU!”

Imagine standing before Jesus Christ, expecting to hear, “Well done,” only to hear, “Depart from me.” Imagine discovering too late that the religion you trusted, the teaching you followed, and the confidence you carried were never grounded in the truth of God's Word.

That is not something to dismiss lightly. Jesus Himself gave that warning, and He gave it because what we believe about Him, His gospel, and salvation matters eternally.

Now understand something else. Salvation is not earned by keeping commandments, performing religious works, or proving yourself worthy of heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

But neither does Scripture teach that a person can claim to know Christ while peacefully embracing the very sin Christ came to save us from.

First John 3:7 says, “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.”

John is not teaching that righteous behavior purchases salvation. He is warning us not to confuse a profession of faith with the evidence of a life changed by God. Read the whole passage. A life characterized by the practice of sin is not something Scripture tells us to excuse with empty religious words.

And do not overlook the seriousness of refusing the truth. Second Thessalonians 2:10 speaks of those who perish “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

That ought to trouble anyone who is more interested in defending what they already believe than discovering what God actually says.

You say you love Jesus. Then listen to His Word! You say you believe the Bible. Then examine what you have been taught! You say you want the truth. Then stop defending anything Scripture exposes as false!

The Bereans were called noble because they “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). They examined even Paul's preaching against the Scriptures. Yet many today will spend hours listening to sermons and watching religious videos but hardly a moment checking whether what they heard was actually biblical.

WHO ARE YOU REALLY FOLLOWING? JESUS CHRIST, OR SOMEONE WHO TALKS ABOUT HIM?

And to the person who is still searching for salvation, hear this carefully. You do not need another religious performance, another man-made path to heaven, or another gospel dressed up in Christian language. You need Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Acts 4:12 declares that there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. And Acts 20:21 speaks of “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

There is no salvation in religious popularity. There is no salvation in a church membership roll. There is no salvation in following a preacher, repeating somebody else's words, or trusting your own goodness. Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone.

So here is the warning, and I include myself in it.

EXAMINE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD!

Second Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”

Do not ask whether your beliefs make you comfortable. Ask whether they are true according to Scripture. Do not ask whether your pastor agrees with you. Ask whether God agrees with what you have believed. Do not ask how many people follow a teaching. Ask whether that teaching can stand under the examination of God's written Word.

And when God's Word exposes an error, do not argue with it. Do not twist another passage to escape it. Do not accuse the person showing you Scripture of being unloving simply because the truth makes you uncomfortable.

HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD AND RECEIVE HIS WORD!

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What is missing in your dissertation summed up as "WAKE UP! OPEN YOUR BIBLE! EXAMINE WHAT YOU BELIEVE! REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!" is applying “LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU!” as if Jesus and Paul, whom you quote, were not also men.

In other words, the warnings are good, and the quotes are good, but to categorically include Jesus and Paul in your own "NO MAN" presentation, is not a good presentation of the biblical truth.

The point is, yes, there is a great possibility of being deceived. But there is also truth being presented, and the scriptures don't just tell how to avoid being deceived, they also tell of how you can "know the truth." Which is a huge subject, and your usual presentation mostly centers on the literary points that one might use as their own understanding--which is not what the written word even is. The words are spirit, and must be spiritually discerned. Which is a qualification not given to all who sent down to read and study. On the contrary, it is only given to some, and not to others, and only by God's choosing and timing. Which is to say, we may like to think we can go out into the world and take it upon ourselves to navigate a literary sea to discover a spiritual truth not just out there to be gathered up at will. That is the very approach that the Spirit is there with flaming swords to protect against.

Therefore, the only biblical way of navigating through the scriptures to find understanding from God, is the way Jesus told Peter how He would build His church, which is only by what comes by the Spirit from the Father. That is why Jesus said, "let no man deceive you", and why Paul also said, "let no one deceive you by any means." Which is to include personal interpretation and understanding of the scriptures which are commonly available in literary form, but not so commonly revealed by the Spirit. Meaning, no one can say of their own, what is true and what is not. As it should be. Which is no exclusion of that which does come the Father by the Spirit. And so the biblical warnings are only to put a stop to people--including those who would test, and study and consider themselves approved, and merely believe--but only to include what comes from God. He has His own methods, which are not the methods common to or of men, and it is only those methods of God that any should look to for truth.

 

[Scott Downey]

Which of course you cannot prove since no man knows the things of a man's heart except for that man and God - 1 Corinthians 2:11

But, thank you so much for taking the time to share your speculation with everyone. We appreciate the effort.

God is very clear in His Word that some do get born again and later fall away from the faith.

It never says anything like that regarding being born again, being born of God then losing salvation.
Being born of God is always associated with salvation, truth is born again people are kept by the power of God for salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time, like on the last Day when is the resurrection and the judgment.
The sheep on His right hand inherit the kingdom of God, while the cursed on his left hand go into the fire.

John 10
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Bible Gateway passage: 1 Peter 1 - New King James Version

Greeting to the Elect Pilgrims - Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus...

classic.biblegateway.com

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To the [a]pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

A Heavenly Inheritance​

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 to an inheritance [b]incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Matthew 25
31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the [c]holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.

32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.

33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

 

[RandyDawson]

It never says anything like that regarding being born again, being born of God then losing salvation.

Actually God's Word does teach that but you have obviously been indoctrinated to not believe everything the Lord says in His Word so off you go.

 

[Scott Downey]

Actually God's Word does teach that but you have obviously been indoctrinated to not believe everything the Lord says in His Word so off you go.

You do not believe then in what Christ taught
I already posted it, but you apparently dont know the truth
What you said applies to yourself.
In your beliefs a man can bear both good fruit and bad fruit!!, and be saved.
Jesus teaches this is impossible.

Here again, Matthew 7

The Narrow Way​

13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and [d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits​

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

I Never Knew You​

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Build on the Rock​

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

 

[Scott Downey]

Many people are on a seems right path, they have their own religion, their own private understanding, follow their own hearts and say it is all good, look at how I help God out with His works on the earth. We are doing the will of Christ and God. Of such are many false teachers, and false prophets. They all have the same ending, their end is according to their works.

But Christ tells them I never knew you, He will tell that to MANY religious people on that DAY, including people on this forum

Matthew 7

I Never Knew You​

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’

23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

2 Cor 11
12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.

14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

 

[Scott Downey]

Jesus and Paul in the above verses are talking about the wolves among the sheep

And here again is what happens to churches sometimes. Churches you may find yourselves in today.
All wolves masquerading as sheep eventually show themselves, fierce, savage and ravenous.

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 20 - New King James Version

Journeys in Greece - After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as...

classic.biblegateway.com

The Ephesian Elders Exhorted​

17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 [c]But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my [d]race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent[e] of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not [f]shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church [g]of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking [h]perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 [i]Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 Then they all wept [j]freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

 

[Scott Downey]

And often church congregations put up with and tolerate them, even follow them, and their ways.
Wolves among the sheep, must be a test from God on those who are true and faithful to Him.

Bible Gateway passage: 2 Corinthians 11 - New King James Version

Concern for Their Faithfulness - Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent...

classic.biblegateway.com

Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the [a]simplicity that is in Christ.

4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

Bible Gateway passage: Galatians 1 - New King James Version

Greeting - Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our...

classic.biblegateway.com

Greeting​

1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Only One Gospel​

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,

7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert[a] the gospel of Christ.

8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be [b]accursed.

9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Call to Apostleship​

11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

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Having received a gospel that did not come to you by revelation of Jesus Christ to your spirit, is another gospel, and is perverted.

Do any of you know that you can not teach anyone to know the Lord....

In this New Covenant, God's Spirit teaches us to know Himself.

John 6
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who [a]has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father.

Hebrews 8

A New Covenant​

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins [b]and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”