The Danger of Deception

Introduction

Some people treat their pets like royalty—designer outfits, gourmet meals, even strollers. One woman on a farm decided to pamper her pet pig the same way. She gave him bubble baths, brushed his teeth, spritzed him with lavender, and tucked him in at night with a bedtime story.

She swore he was practically human—until one morning, she forgot to latch the gate.

The pig waddled straight into the barnyard, found a mud puddle the size of a kiddie pool, and plopped himself right into it with a joyful snort.

She yelled, “No! You’re clean! You’re not supposed to do that!”

The pig just rolled over, grinned, and said, “I can only be on the outside what I truly am on the inside.”

Matthew 7:15–23 ESV

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Deceivers can look like Disciples

Following Christ is a privilege, but it comes with the responsibility of discernment. Jesus warns us to be on guard against false prophets—those who claim to speak for God but mislead others. In the Old Testament, true prophets like Moses were appointed by God to call people back to obedience. Yet false prophets existed too—spiritual counterfeits who looked genuine but led people astray.

Jesus describes them as ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing—they appear harmless, even helpful, but their goal is self-serving. Today, they don’t just exist outside the church; they often rise within it. And their danger isn’t always in public statements, but in private motives and corrupted fruit.

Common Modern False Prophets

The Platform Builder for Personal Gain

This person uses the Bible as a stepping stone to influence and popularity. More interested in applause than transformation, their ministry is centered on self—not the gospel. The fruit is clear: constant self-promotion and a craving for recognition.

The “Bible Teacher” Who Denies Essential Truths

This person speaks selectively—emphasizing only the parts of Scripture that align with popular opinion while avoiding the harder truths of sin, repentance, and surrender. Their gospel becomes a tool for social improvement, not salvation. Their fruit is the absence of truth that leads to reconciliation with God.

A true disciple tests all things by Scripture and looks for the fruit of humility and obedience—not just charisma or success. To follow Jesus faithfully, we must give ourselves to knowing His Word—and measuring everything by it.

A warning to the False Prophets

Jesus gives a harsh judgment for the sin of being and living as a false prophet, leader, or influencer. The judgement is that they are ultimately cut off if they do not repent.

James 3:1 ESV

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

Reminds us that teachers and those with spiritual leadership are called both to teaching and living the truth. God knows and evaluates the heart of all, especially the teacher. Therefore, if anyone feels called to a level of leadership ought to understand the seriousness of such a thing.

True spiritual leaders are not perfect—but when they sin, they respond with humility and repentance. As one pastor once wrote after a moral failure:

“When we fall short of God’s standard, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with Him. I must apply the same biblical standard of repentance to myself that I have taught to others.”

Pretenders Can Act Like Believers

Jesus gives a sobering warning about that day—the day of final judgment, when everyone will stand before God. Some will be shocked to discover that they are not known by Him, even though they appeared religious and sincerely believed they were true disciples.

Frank Abagnale

If you were around in the 1970s, you might remember hearing about the arrest of a young man right here in Cobb County, Georgia, who became famous for pretending to be something he was not. His name was Frank Abagnale Jr. Before the age of 21, he convincingly posed as a Pan Am pilot, claimed to be a doctor at Cobb General Hospital, and even an attorney in Louisiana. He forged documents, talked the talk, and wore all the right uniforms. But it was all a lie. He was eventually caught, convicted, and his carefully constructed identity unraveled.

The astonishing thing about this text is that it appears the people were involved in supernatural and seemingly positive things. But Scripture reminds us that such miraculous acts can have two possible origins:

Human deception and trickery, like the magicians in Egypt who mimicked Moses’ signs (Exodus 7). In ancient times, illusions were created using hidden mechanisms and visual tricks. That same spirit of deception continues today through staged “miracle” healings, emotionally charged events, and sleight-of-hand stunts—like the infamous “leg-lengthening” trick seen online. But we don’t need to fake miracles to prove that God is real. God is able to prove himself all powerful and faithful.

Satanic power that is meant to lead people astray (2 Thessalonians 2:9–10). Scripture affirms that the enemy is capable of producing signs and phenomena to deceive.

Jesus warns that spiritual pretenders will face a similar reckoning. Some will point to their impressive religious activities—prophesying, casting out demons, performing miracles—thinking these are proof of salvation.

While Jesus is directly addressing false prophets, His warning applies to all who claim to follow Him. But Jesus makes it clear for all: doing spiritual things or claiming them is not the same as knowing Him.

Activities are not a substitute for a relationship

Since coming to this church, we’ve continued many regular ministries—and by God’s grace, we’ve added more. We launched RC Kids, weekly worship practices, men’s and women’s breakfasts, Easter outreach, and we plan to do even more for the Kingdom.

I hope every one of you is involved in some way—but we must understand what these activities truly mean. Participation, volunteering, church membership, even generous giving—none of these can turn a spiritually dead person into a child of God. They never could.

Like Frank Abagnale, we can pretend. We can wear the uniform, speak the language, and act the part of being a Christian—but never truly belong.

So then, what must our focus be if we are to heed Jesus' warning and avoid hearing those dreadful words, “I never knew you”?

Our confidence must not be in the appearance of godliness, but in a real, living relationship with the Lord.

Obedient Lives Confirm True Disciples

Jesus makes it clear: only those who do the will of the Father will enter the Kingdom of God.

What is the will of God? First and foremost, it is to believe the gospel. Obedience to the gospel begins in the heart: submitting in faith to what God has done through Jesus Christ.

Didn’t the miracle and wonders prove that some were doing the will of God? Jesus shows us that outward acts are no substitute for inward faith. And it is possible to appear obedient while the heart remains far from God. Jesus is not calling us to perfect, works-based obedience. Rather, He is calling us to the first and most vital obedience which is to believe in Christ—to admit our sin, trust in His saving work, and receive new life by grace through faith.

Once that happens, TRUE disciples will naturally bear fruit—not to earn salvation, but because of the life of Christ within them.

Jesus and Fruit

In John 15, Jesus taught that abiding in Him is the source of fruitfulness. He used the illustration of a Vine and a Branch. He said, “I am the Vine, and you are the branches.” A branch cannot bear fruit on its own; it must remain connected to the vine. Likewise, the only way we produce true spiritual fruit is through a genuine relationship with Christ.

Here lies the difference:

False disciples may say “Lord, Lord” and perform impressive acts, but their lives lack the fruit of a changed heart.

True disciples abide in Christ, and their lives overflow with the fruit of faith, obedience, and love.

John 15:2 ESV

2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

To me pruning was confusing—why cut something that is already producing fruit? I was surprised to learn how the sharp blade of a pruning knife benefits a branch:

Pruning is not harmful, but helpful. The wise gardener removes old, unproductive, or excessive growth. This frees the plant from wasting energy and redirects its nutrients to what is healthy. Likewise, God uses His Word to prune our lives, calling us to let go of what has no benefit in His Kingdom.

Pruning stimulates new growth. When a branch is cut, hormones that suppress side growth are reduced, allowing others to trigger new development. Similarly, God works through His Spirit in us, empowering us to grow in Christ and walk in our new identity.

Pruning promotes health. It opens the plant so sunlight can reach inner branches and air can flow—reducing disease and promoting life. In the same way, God convicts us to release habits, addictions, and distractions that block His work in us. Through His Spirit, He brings renewal and vitality.

Though the cuts may feel painful, they lead to greater fruitfulness and lasting spiritual health—a principle Jesus applies to every true disciple.

I close with this final thought.

I began with a story about a pig—washed, dressed, and prepared to live a different life, even to be treated like a child of the family. But pigs will always be pigs. They return to what is in their nature.

Jesus told a much deeper story—a parable of a rebellious son who left home and ended up living with pigs. The pig in the parable never came to its senses—it made perfect sense to the pig to wallow in the mud and eat the pods. But the prodigal son did come to his senses. He knew he was not made to live like that. Though unworthy, he humbled himself and returned to his father—not demanding his place as a son, but asking simply to be treated as a servant.

And what did the father do? Though he had every right to condemn, judge, and banish him, the father instead responded to the son’s act of repentance and faith. He received him, restored him, and celebrated him. The son did the will of the father—he came home in humility, not just in words, but in action.

So how about you?

Perhaps today the Holy Spirit is speaking to you—not about how you look on the outside, but about the true state of your heart. Maybe you’ve been acting like a believer while leading a double life, having an outward appearance without inward obedience. Or maybe today His words are like the sharp knife of the Master Gardener—calling you to surrender something so that you might bear more fruit.

Let’s not just call Him ‘Lord.’ Let us make Him the Lord of our lives.