Defenses Against Deception | Episode 20 | Maturity

Duane Sheriff Ministries

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Defenses Against Deception | Episode 20 | Maturity

Grace & Truth

July 2, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • Hebrews 5:11–14, 1 Corinthians 3, 1 Corinthians 13:11–13

In the final episode of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane teaches that maturity is the sixth defense in guarding against deception, especially in the Christian faith. One of the primary reasons many people depart from the faith is immaturity - being carnally minded and lacking spiritual discernment.

How can professing Christians embrace immorality, vote for leaders who oppose biblical values, and support unbiblical ideologies that celebrate sinful behaviors? The root cause of this departure often lies in a lack of genuine salvation and spiritual rebirth. Some attend church and try to live a moral life, mistakenly believing that this alone secures their salvation. True Christianity, however, involves a spiritual transformation through being born again, with God's Spirit dwelling within and empowering a new life in Christ.

Even among those genuinely born again, many fail to transition from being new converts to becoming mature disciples of Christ. They remain spiritual infants, unable to properly understand and apply the deep truths of God's Word. The path to maturity requires humility – acknowledging one's limitations, remaining teachable, and submitting to God's ways rather than pridefully clinging to one's own understanding. As the Apostle Paul affirmed, when he became a man, he put away childish things, recognizing and discarding immature thought patterns and behaviors.

Ultimately, maturity is not the absence of all immaturity but the ability to discern and willingly lay aside immature mindsets and actions. It is a lifelong process of growth, enabled by God's grace, as believers press on to know Christ more intimately and become conformed to His image.

Defenses Against Deception | Episode 1 | Agenda

June 5, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • Matthew 24:4–5, Deuteronomy 11:16

In episode one of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane reveals that God has provided safeguards in His Word so we can judge our hearts against the spirit of the antichrist, which can lead to deception. Deception and lies are becoming increasingly common in our society. Matthew 24 warns of the arrival of many deceivers who will mislead multitudes of people. Rampant idolatry and false gods are being worshipped in our society today. They stem from Satan's deceptions, which try to lure people away from the true God. If Christians cannot recognize the spirit of the antichrist in the world, they will not be able to identify it infiltrating the church either. Duane reveals that all deceptions are gateways to greater deceptions. Many Christians fell for the deceptions surrounding COVID-19, such as fraudulent information, oppressive mandates, and violations of personal freedoms. This was a "dress rehearsal" for greater enslavement under the spirit of the antichrist who craves power and control. Once someone becomes deceived on one issue, they become vulnerable to falling for the next lie. Believers must learn defenses and safeguards to avoid deception—not just for ourselves but also to protect future generations from having their minds warped by a controlling agenda. There is a deceptive agenda to strip away human rights and freedom of movement, speech, and thought. These agendas include carbon tracking, the digital currency system, and "climate change" hysteria. In the future, the Bible itself may become banned as "hate speech" or "misinformation." More than 50 references in the New Testament warn about deception, deceivers, and being deceived. Failing to discern deception makes us and our children susceptible to the spirit of the antichrist.

Defenses Against Deception | Episode 2 | Lies

June 6, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • Matthew 24, Galatians 6:7–10, 1 Corinthians 6:9–11, Ephesians 5:5–8

There is an intense battle raging between the freedom found in Christ's gospel and the deceptive agenda of the world, which seeks to enslave people with lies. In the second episode of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane Sheriff teaches the dangers of being deceived and the importance of guarding our hearts against deception. In Matthew 24, Jesus cautions that many deceivers will come and deceive multitudes. The New Testament instructs believers not to be deceived. Galatians 6:7 states, "Do not be deceived; God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, he will also reap." This scripture shows that deception is possible, so God warns against it. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 lists fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, thievery, and drunkenness and states, Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Yet some Christians seem to believe that unrighteous people embracing these sinful lifestyles can still go to heaven. That's the danger of deception. Once you accept one lie, it paves the way for more lies and greater deception. A "spirit of antichrist" is working through today's world systems, governments, corporations, and individuals to strip away humanity's God-given freedoms. As society rejects God's moral foundations as "hateful" or "misinformation," the Bible itself may become banned. Jesus came to set people free and give them abundant life. The gospel brings freedom of thought, speech, and movement - liberties the deceptive agenda of the antichrist seeks to steal. Satan's lies may promise freedom but ultimately leads to enslavement of the mind, soul, and spirit. With so many lies bombarding us from the world and even seeping into the church, we must remain watchful and discerning. The spiritual well-being of future generations depends on boldly living out the freedom and abundant life found in the Gospel of Christ.

Defenses Against Deception | Episode 3 | Roadblocks

June 7, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • 1 Timothy 4:1, Ephesians 5:5–8, 2 Timothy 3:12–17

In the third episode of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane Sheriff warns that the influence of Satan, "the father of lies," is increasing and stresses the importance of being able to discern deception. In Matthew 24, Jesus warned his followers not to be deceived. The Word provides crucial roadblocks to caution against being misled by "empty words," "deceiving spirits," and "doctrines of devils." However, the inability of many believers today to identify these deceptive spirits or false doctrines, such as multiple genders, gender reassignment surgery, man-made climate change, and governmental overreach during the pandemic, can lead to serious consequences. Loss of freedoms and governmental persecution of dissenting views can pave the way for the Antichrist prophesied in the Bible. Believers must remain vigilant to avoid being led astray by deceptive agendas and stand firm for godly values despite facing persecution and censorship.