Now and then, you hear of someone swindling others. Like the man who sells bags of “diamonds” who lives the high life. When someone confronts him about his dishonesty, he gets angry, and then he often uses the Lord’s Name. 

The figures from another alleged investment opportunity also sound far too good. They promise interest rates of more than 30 per cent and, in some cases, even double that. Although they’ve been renting an office from a friend in town for over six months, it still seems as if nothing is going on there. 

Many people are going to get harmed. 

Another friend of mine’s father took all his savings and entrusted them to a “friend” in Wellington. It was a pyramid scheme, and the man lost all his and his wife’s retirement money. 

The world is full of crooks who are looking to take what you have. Mercilessly, without caring at all, they’ll strip you naked. But now I wonder: doesn’t the person who invests also bear some of the responsibility? 

You should know – when the interest sounds too good to be true, the whole suggestion might just be that: too good to be true. When the red lights start flashing, you should stop and think carefully before proceeding. 

We need to be watchful not only financially, but also on a spiritual level. Even there, people can lead you astray and perhaps try to steal your faith.  

Therefore, this warning: 7 There are a lot of smooth-talking con artists loose in the world who refuse to believe that Jesus Christ was truly human, a flesh-and-blood human being. Give them their true title: Deceiver! Antichrist!   

Rian van Heerden had a TV series called Herders (Shepherds) about the role that spiritual leaders play in the community. There were traditional and charismatic leaders. There was even one who said that the Lord had appointed him as a prophet. 

After the series, I realised that you need to be careful even in church, so you don’t get misled. But where do you begin in this swamp if you want to make sure that you’re not being deceived? 

I don’t know why some people are so ruthless, but they will strip others naked and try to steal their faith. Then some are so convinced of their beliefs that they consider them the only truth. As soon as someone believes that they alone have the full truth, it easily becomes a means of deception and control. 

We have a responsibility. Just as we must be careful not to be cheated financially, we must also ensure our beliefs are sound. The simple rule is: Believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Believe that He is the only Saviour and that He is the only way to truth, to God and to eternal life. If this is part of your faith, you are on the right path and not being taken in. 

Scripture
2 John 1:7-13 

Reflection
Are you sure you’re not being deceived?
How do you know what the truth is?
Where can you help others not to be deceived? 

Prayer
Father, my only desire is to follow You. Help me not to be deceived. Amen.