And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. — Luke 21:8
Throughout time, we have all seemingly heard of people who claim the name of Christ, but their actions told a different story. There have been famous pastors who misled thousands amid their desires for fortune and fame. Politicians are another group that has often been accused of claiming faith when their actions show something different.
The truth is that none of us know the true heart of the person. We can only trust based on their statements and the fruits that their lives show. Many times it’s difficult to discern if the person is sharing a genuine faith in God, or if they are simply claiming it as a means to deceive and use it for personal gain.
While we certainly want to be mindful of those who want to deceive, I think there is something much deeper for us here in this verse. Sure, we want to watch those who may be out to deceive us. It’s much more difficult to be deceived if we are truly following God as we should!
Leaders in this world will often make empty promises and statements so we will follow them. God expects us to honor their leadership position, but they should not be the subject of our faith. God alone should be the focus of our faith.
The world is full of people who are vying for our attention. But this world is not our home and we are only here for a short while. Don’t place your faith in the people of this world. They will disappoint and let you down. Make sure that the focus of your faith is God!
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