Watchout For WOLVES: Keys To Discerning Authentic Ministries & Evaluating Doctrinal Trends

The devil is subtle and uses deception as his main tool (Gen. 3:1; 2 Cor. 11:3). This is why Paul was so concerned about the believers in Corinth. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 Christianity is basically simple. It is the devil who tries to complicate it by his subtlety. His primary task is to deceive and his primary weapon is deception. To deceive is to cause to stray, to lead astray, lead aside from the right way through craft or trickery. The devil is an expert at deception. The Bible repeatedly warns us against the “wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11). The Greek word used in the above passage for “wiles” refers to cunning arts, deceit, craft and trickery. Peter warned us in his first epistle that the devil is seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8-9). Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour . Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil . Ephesians 6:11

Paul told his son in the faith to help people escape the trap or snares of the devil (2 Tim. 2:23-26).

Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap . For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. 2 Timothy 2:25-26, NLT

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