Deception Unbounded and Running Amok in the Churches

Deception is all around us, and even sadder, it is running rampant in many of our churches today. And one of the greatest examples of being deceived is when a person claims to be a Christian, yet totally rejects the hundreds of warnings in Scripture about being deceived!

When we are told over and over again about the dangers of falling into deception, that should keep us all extremely humble, keep us on our knees, and keep us crying out to God: “Lord, am I being deceived here?” It is the antidote to pride, arrogance and self-sufficiency – and the antidote to easily falling into deception.

Such is the blinding nature of demonic deception that the person being deceived not only is unaware of their frightful condition, but they actually take pride in where they are at. They exalt in their ignorance, deceit and false teachings. They exalt in their deception.

deception 2They revel in their rebellion in other words. They have been so deceived by the enemy that the utterly clear and black and white words of Scripture are completely rejected, replaced by the demonic spirit of the age. And these folks exult in this. They take pride in evangelising for secular humanism while throwing out the plain teachings of the Word.

I have just had two very sad and worrying examples of this come my way. The level of blindness, deception, and pride in their anti-biblical nonsense is appalling to behold. They both make the claim to be Christians, while they both have declared the Word of God to be null and void, as they freely imbibe of every bit of worldly wisdom and deception.

Consider this sad bit of demonic deception from someone on another site where I had posted a comment concerning the pro-homosexual apostate Tony Campolo:

Bill Muehlenberg you are the cause of many people especially Gay young people hating Christ because for decades we in Australia had put up with your Gay hating vitriol, yes I know your proud of it..Thank God for people like Tony who lifts up Christ ..and thousand of Gay people are drwn to the Saviour because of the love of Christ shown true Tony to us Gay people in Australia. Perfect love cast out fear Bill, and you are perceived a fearful unloving man by thousand of Gay men and wome..think about it..mate ! I well remeber yout hate lectures at Harvest Bible College..thank God you are not representing God’s love to mankind..we have Tony praise God !

Wow, what can one say? When the living God is so clearly rejected, His Word spat upon, and this much satanic deception is going on, there is little one can do than pray for such a person. So please do. I do not recall who this person is, but I guess I did not teach him very well! He has gone off the deep end into deception, immorality and rebellion against the living God. And he seems to love it this way.

And what a shocker to realise that as I was called by God to faithfully and accurately teach the Word of God at a Bible college, there were students there sitting under my teaching who were in fact seething in hate and bitterness as I did so. That is so very tragic and heartbreaking to learn of.

My second example was a comment to my website and my article on 20 myths about homosexuality. Consider this absolute doozey:

Myths are not debunked by opinion. Not once do you cite non-biased studies or facts where you claim evidence.
I am a heterosexual, married woman with four children. I can tell you unequivocally that I did not marry for the purpose of having children. I can also tell you that homosexual marriages will not hurt the marriage I am in.
Harm to children, by the way, is done by humans with failings, regardless of who they marry. I was the offspring in a heterosexual marriage. I and my brother were sexually abused for years by my father. What a great family structure I had!
Comparisons to pedophiles or bestiality as a slippery slope is ridiculous as consent does not exist in those examples.
There is just so much logic flaw and self-righteousness throughout this article, I can’t even scratch the surface in rebutting it. I’m walking away now, shaking my head at the hypocrisy of how you choose to interpret Christ’s love.

Wow again, another mind-bending and Scripture-destroying comment. After saying some prayers for her, I replied to her as follows:

Thanks ….. But one has to laugh at being accused of things which are in abundant display in your comment! Am I allowed to throw your very words back at you?

“Not once do you cite non-biased studies or facts where you claim evidence.”
“There is just so much logic flaw and self-righteousness throughout this article, I can’t even scratch the surface in rebutting it.”

What was that about the kettle calling the pot black? You obviously have not even bothered to read my article carefully, but have just launched into a knee-jerk emotive reaction, which contributes absolutely zippo to the debate. Had you bothered to actually read it, you will see I mentioned that I have written a number of books on this with over 1500 footnotes, most of them from medical journals, scientific periodicals, the homosexual press, and so on. Anyone who has actually read my material knows just how fully documented and backed up by reputable evidence these books are. And out of curiosity, just how many well-documented books have you written on this topic?

But let me call your bluff further and deal with your specific howlers. The fact that you do not want children no more changes the primary function of marriage than does buying a book without any intention of reading it. A book is still designed to be read, regardless if it actually is or not. And marriage is still primarily about the rearing and raising of the next generation, even though not all couples are able to or want to.

And throwing out unsubstantiated and emotive claims does not an argument make. Simply saying homosexual marriage will not impact on real marriage while ignoring all the evidence helps no one. In my most recent book I offer numerous documented cases of how people are being negatively impacted by all this. But I realise that hiding one’s head in the sand and ignoring the evidence is a preferred way of proceeding for many.

And while we are sorry for your sad situation, extrapolating your own experience onto the rest of the world is not exactly scientific or rational. Just because you were abused does not mean that every heterosexual marriage is evil. That is simply a non-sequitur. And as I carefully document in my books, levels of child abuse are actually much higher in non-traditional households – that is, outside of the heterosexual married family unit.

And of you knew anything about the pro-paedophilia and pro-bestiality lobby groups, you would know that they are claiming these “lifestyle choices” are fully consensual. Sorry, but your ignorance of these matters is not very impressive.

And it is interesting that you end up talking about Christ’s love. Christ over and over emphasised the importance of truth. Without truth there can be no love. And Jesus said repeatedly that if you love him, you will obey his commandments. Telling God he is wrong about human sexuality and claiming the Bible is mistaken on homosexuality has nothing to do with love, but everything to do with sinful rebellion and idolatry.

Sorry, but you have regrettably allowed your unfortunate childhood experiences to determine how you now live and what you now believe. The truth of Scripture has been rejected as you run with your experiences and emotions. All we can do is pray for you in that case. Jesus provides real healing and wholeness if you seek it. But calling him a liar and rejecting his clear commands will not readily result in either I am afraid.

Whether these two individuals are able to respond to biblical truth and get themselves out of the pits of deception and satanic bondage is a moot point. If they really seek God, he is more than able to deliver them. But if they are happy and proud in their deception and rebellion, then things are not looking very good for them.

As I say, we need to pray for such people. These two obviously need a whole lot of prayer. And we all need to be reminded afresh of the horrific nature of satanic deception. Let me conclude with a few such warnings from just the New Testament:

Matthew 24:4-5 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.

Romans 16:18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men…

2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Ephesians 4:14 So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Colossians 2:4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

2 Timothy 3:13 While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

James 1:16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.

These and many other passages make it abundantly clear that satanic deception is alive and well and happening all the time. We all would do well to carefully read and reread these passages, and pray that we are not allowing ourselves to be deceived. For clearly many are being deceived – and they seem to relish that deception as well.

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20 Replies to “Deception Unbounded and Running Amok in the Churches”

  1. The passage that came to my mind while reading this post was how Jesus’ own home community in Nazareth wanted to throw him over a cliff because He didn’t tell them what they wanted to hear in the synagogue. Humans are prone to pride and easily deceived and thank you for the reminder in your second paragraph I too need to be watchful and humble and prayerful not to fall into deception, as we all do. Stay encouraged Bill and don’t let the deceived turkeys get you down.

  2. Hi Bill
    Good article here, I can only pray someone who is so out of touch with the true message of Christ will read this article and ask God for help. Carry on brother, prayers for you and your ministry… God bless.

  3. Keep writing about what is pure, what is truth and continue to stand against the lies that most these days believe. It is so hard when people who call themselves Christian cheer gay marriage and the Bruce Jenner thing; when they call lies the truth and applaud people who are so deceived. It is getting so ugly and I am so grateful for your column, and it’s Biblical purity and encouragement. Thank you so much for being an encourager to those of us who “dare” to follow God and the Bible!

  4. Part of the deception is that if you dont support gay marriage is that you hate gay people. In fact most people are taught that Christians hate gay people these days? So when Bill spreaks/writes against GM some will hear it that way?

  5. I too have had people trying to convince me of unscriptural things, saying it is Christian or Jesus taught such. So my question is always the same, book, chapter and Verse please, plus supporting verses to show an ongoing teaching.
    So far I have had at least 4 Christians change their view, on capitalism, SSM, and socialism.
    Keep up the good work Bill.
    When you are taking flak, you are on target.

  6. I have a small list of Christian “benchmark” websites I check daily to see what is really going on here and there. CultureWatch is on my list. Your writings are spot on. I do thank you for your continued efforts.

  7. It’s particularly noteworthy that the majority of Christians I have spoken to who support redefining marriage very rarely bother referencing scripture to support it. They run purely on emotion and ad hominem attacks. They never show any interest in the idea of looking at what scripture actually says, choosing instead to roll with vague notions of God’s love which, no surprises, don’t resemble anything scripture teaches about God’s love.

  8. Matthew Henry says – Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:1-9

    Even in gospel times there would be perilous times; on account of persecution from without, still more on account of corruptions within. Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another. When men do not fear God, they will not regard man. When children are disobedient to their parents, that makes the times perilous. Men are unholy and without the fear of God, because unthankful for the mercies of God. We abuse God’s gifts, if we make them the food and fuel of our lusts. Times are perilous also, when parents are without natural affection to children. And when men have no rule over their own spirits, but despise that which is good and to be honoured. God is to be loved above all; but a carnal mind, full of enmity against him, prefers any thing before him, especially carnal pleasure. A form of godliness is very different from the power; from such as are found to be hypocrites, real Christians must withdraw. Such persons have been found within the outward church, in every place, and at all times. There ever have been artful men, who, by pretences and flatteries, creep into the favour and confidence of those who are too easy of belief, ignorant, and fanciful. All must be ever learning to know the Lord; but these follow every new notion, yet never seek the truth as it is in Jesus. Like the Egyptian magicians, these were men of corrupt minds, prejudiced against the truth, and found to be quite without faith. Yet though the spirit of error may be let loose for a time, Satan can deceive the nations and the churches no further, and no longer, than God will permit.

  9. Psa 37:28 For Jehovah loves judgment and does not forsake His saints; they are kept forever; but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

    It is very sad to see how these sorts of problems often occur in families. If only we could show these people that, yes evil can enter a family but when you break down the family structure across the whole of society you are opening a floodgate of opportunity for abuse. I would be very interested to know what sort abuse were they referring to. While there is a possibility they are simply talking about overly strict or unjust parents, the fact remains that the family structure is the one in which sexual assault of children is most easily hidden and with the higher propensity of this among homosexual men than any other demographic what they are advocating can only make things worse.

  10. I think one of the main issues that we are seeing is the near perfection of the social engineering agenda which has sought to dumb-down issues to a purely emotive argument. Ben Shapiro wrote an interesting book (‘Primetime Propaganda: The True Hollywood Story of How the Left Took Over Your TV’) where he interviewed Hollywood producers and directors who lifted the lid (confessed) to their subtle yet intentional engineering activities around issues like homosexuality within their TV and movie creations. Unfortunately, you add a church that is not teaching its people how to think critically, analytically and most importantly, biblically about important issues and you have a growing, creeping deception.

  11. HI Bill

    Yes you sum it up well. It is a pity that they do not realise that the Truth can set them free of their hurts and afflictions with good discipleship coupled with some healing and deliverance ministry. This is my experience in working with people who have been abused. It takes some time but only through Christ can real freedom be achieved and sustained.
    God Bless

  12. Great responses Bill, reflecting God’s love for these people. I heard Tony Campolo speak many years ago and have been shocked at his present view on S.S.M. Another one is Roland Croucher who personally helped me many years ago but also seems to have gone astray.
    We all need God’s help to stay true to His Word.

  13. Jesus said they will hate you for my sake and when they kill you they will think they are doing God a favour.
    So lets get away from this pretty little word called GAY it’s not Gay its homosexual lust for sex with another man, Its call SODOMY and we ll know what God did to those of that Ilk.
    I had a friend when I was sixteen and in a way I loved him dearly and we shared many things but it never crossed our minds to have some sort of sex together. Furthermore There is no law now or previous that stopped two men from living together and many still do and most are to busy chasing after the girls to even consider the repulsive act of sodomy with another male. You may love Jesus but if you did you wouldn’t be doing what you do. You may hate Jesus but that is only because you feel self condemned at what you do.
    I have worked on ships for a number of years and I have seen normal men turned by the prospect of easy sex with their own kind. Love another man you may do and that is not a crime in the sight of our lord. Jesus had a disciple who he loved affectionately as many of us do but sodomy has no practical benefit or family orientated out come other than a sexual gratification for the perpetrator who deems a sewage passage for that end.

  14. The way I see it is that everyone makes a choice on how they want to live, even within a repressive regime. Jesus did not preach but spoke in parables for others to discern His truth. Jesus said “Man cannot serve two masters”. If you believe God created the world and has a purpose for human kind involving the implementation of His kingdom then you would not systematically reject sex between male and female which enables the recreation and continuity of human life . If you think this life is all there is then you will think in one way. If you think that what we do here matters somewhere else, then you will think in a different way.

  15. Hi Bill,
    Don’t worry about that woman (I guess the one is a woman), that former student of Harvest Bible College in Melbourne whose action reveals her support for the sin of homosexuality and the biblically illiterate Tony Campolo. The woman attacked you by saying, “I well remember your hate lectures at Harvest Bible College…thank God you are not representing God’s love to mankind…we have Tony praise God !”. Well, I myself was a student of Bill (1999-2003). You’re not the only one who was taught by him. Bill was a great lecturer with great mind and was loved by students, particularly those of us who understood biblical Christianity. I really benefitted from him as a student and still do. Bill is one of the bold Christians who will not compromise his faith for the sake of pleasing apostate Christians like you, or those bent on perpetuating the sin of homosexuality. Bill doesn’t hate homosexuals. Bill like most of us, love homosexuals but doesn’t approve their sinful sexual lifestyles. I want to say that Tony’s support for homosexuality represents his slip from truth to spiritual darkness. Homosexual love is nothing but satanic love. Homosexual love is sinful because it is expressed in sodomy, not in heterosexuality. Bill understands God’s love and not the twisted homosexual definition of love. The best way to help homosexuals is to love them but we should not stop to tell them that God loves them and wants them to come out of their sin. No homosexual will inherit the kingdom of God according to scripture. My mate at Harvest Bible College, I want to ask you, what did you study at Harvest Bible College? My heart is bleeding for you on the path of compromise and apostasy you’ve taken. May God have mercy and rescue you from that slippery path. I’m sorry you’re not making Harvest Bible College lecturers proud. Harvest is a Pentecostal Bible College and will not sacrifice Biblical truth on the altar of homosexual appeasement. Bill, we love you. May God continue to strengthen and uphold you as one of the generals of biblical truth in our generation
    Kwasi

  16. The sad fact is that the rampant deception is another reality of a real devil, who has blinded the eyes of the unbelievers. We are constantly warned that deceivers will come as sheep when in reality, they are wolves out to destroy the flock. Satan is a great counterfeiter and you must know Scripture to be able to stand in these evil days.

  17. Paul said in the book of Acts chap 20:29-31:
    For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch and remember that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn everyone.

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