Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
How to Protect Yourself from Being Deceived

How to Protect Yourself from Being Deceived

The Methods of Evil

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy warning him about events that will occur before the second coming of Christ and describing how evil will manifest itself:

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth (1 Timothy 4:1–3 NIV84, emphasis mine).

Paul tells us that the evil ones are liars. They use disinformation, propaganda, falsehood, distortion, and every manner of distraction and obfuscation to prevent people from seeing the truth. They get people to focus on words rather than deeds, claims rather than outcomes, proclamations rather than evidence, declarations rather than facts, made-up rules rather than testable design laws—all of which lead to fantasy, fiction, myth, and superstition, rather than intelligent beings who live and operate in a reality based upon truth.

Yes, evil people, inspired by evil spirits, lie and deceive. But they also use other methods to advance their falsehoods, their evil empire, their corrupt characters, and their sinful selves—they use imposed rules, made-up laws, and coercive enforcement to advance their beliefs. The righteous do use imposed rules, made-up laws, and coercive enforcement, but only to restrain evil—to hold in check the actions that cause others harm; however, the wicked use them to promote evil—to coerce and force others into actions that cause harm.

Notice and contrast the difference in method between the evil and the righteous. The Bible is filled with counsel on marriage and diet, yet the Bible method that Paul advances is to recommend, to persuade, to present the truth, the evidence, the rationale, the reasons—and then leave every person free to decide for themselves. Paul does not forbid; he does not order compliance.

When controversies arose in the early church about foods and days of worship, Paul wrote, “Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5 NIV84).

When counseling regarding marriage, Paul did not command, did not forbid; he wrote:

Now, concerning what you wrote about unmarried people: I do not have a command from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is worthy of trust … (1 Corinthians 7:25 GNT, emphasis mine).

Then Paul goes on to give counsel regarding the stress and burdens of marriage and relationships with the hardships the believers were going to encounter as they faced persecution, and he presents his rationale for his advice, but then he writes:

I would like you to be free from worry. … I am saying this because I want to help you. I am not trying to put restrictions on you. Instead, I want you to do what is right and proper, and to give yourselves completely to the Lord’s service without any reservation (1 Corinthians 7:33, 35 GNT, emphasis mine).

Notice Paul’s method is to present the truth, his counsel, in love, but to leave people free to decide for themselves. The method of the evil ones is to seek to deceive, but if they can’t get people to believe their lies and thereby foolishly choose to participate in what is destructive, then the evil ones use the methods of force, imposed law, coercion, requirement under threat, and the infliction of punishment.

Consider the methods we have seen employed with COVID—outright lies, claims without evidence, proclamations known to be untrue, coupled with the use of imposed laws with threats of punishment and coercive pressure to get people to comply.

Consider the methods of the woke agenda—they lie, using all kinds of propaganda and falsehoods. (See our magazine Critical Race Theory: Exposing the Lies While Advancing the Gospel for documentation.) And their lies are coupled with all kinds of coercive pressures, including deplatforming, defunding, vilification, loss of job, public ruination of reputation, physical threats, loss of licensure, etc. They are unable to present their views and leave people free because their views are contrary to what is healthy and true; thus, the woke intimidate, harass, attack (verbally, professionally, physically), and interfere with the free speech of others, while seeking to control laws to force people to comply with their demands.

For instance, one of the principles upon which the United States was founded is the freedom of conscience, that each person is to be left free to not only believe in God as they understand Him but to practice their religion without restraint—as long as it doesn’t affirmatively harm another person (e.g., no human sacrifice). However, in multiple states across America, those who are advancing wokeism have sought to force Christian mental-health professionals to provide same-sex couples therapy or so-called “gender-affirming care” to children. If a Christian practitioner instead seeks to refer such individuals to other licensed professionals who share the patient’s values, the referring practitioner is threatened with loss of their license. In some jurisdictions, professional societies and licensing boards bring pressure to require Christian practitioners to provide care that not only violates a practitioner’s conscience, but which the practitioner believes is harmful to the patient. Additionally, academic professional bodies are pressuring Christian colleges and universities to teach godless philosophies, and if they do not comply, they are threatened with losing their credentials, which means their graduates cannot sit for licensing boards. The goal is to use these imposed and arbitrary rules to filter out of professional society all beliefs and practices in Jesus Christ and the methods and principles of the God of the Bible.

In Canada, these godless forces have advanced laws that require physicians to participate in killing their patients. It is called medical assistance in dying (MAiD), and physicians are required to provide lethal prescriptions to patients who ask for them, or they will have their licenses revoked. These same forces are attempting to make this the standard in America as well. You can read more about this abuse of human rights promoted by those who no longer value the God of the Bible at https://www.cardus.ca/research/health/reports/from-exceptional-to-routine/.

One bullet point from the article states: “The number of Canadians dying prematurely by ‘medical assistance in dying’ (MAiD) has risen thirteenfold since legalization. In 2016, the number of people dying in this way was 1,018. In 2022, the last year for which data are available, the number was 13,241.”

 

The Signs of the Times

Right now, today, we are seeing the events prophesied in Scripture that are to precede the second coming of Christ. We are seeing the rise of globalism, the integration of government and corporate forces to pass global rules that coerce consciences. We are seeing a rise in godlessness. We are seeing the rise, through social media, the internet, and technology of information filtering that make it ever harder for people to get reliable information upon which to make informed decisions. In other words, the liars are becoming ever more proficient in their ability to deceive.

As things continue to unfold, the evil will present all kinds of data, information, opinions, perspectives, and perhaps even what appears to be scientific studies. These are designed to intimidate, confuse, incite fear, and interfere with individuals thinking for themselves. It is designed to get people to surrender their thinking to the various “authorities.”

But you do not need to be deceived by things being too scientific, technical, or simply too much information to filter through. All you need to do is simply watch the methods being employed. The righteous always use the methods of God, truth, presented in love, often with strong recommendations as Paul did, but always under the umbrella of the freedom of conscience. Those who love truth do not censor; they invite inquiry and investigation because they want their ideas, studies, and theories to be purified by truth. The righteous will respect those who disagree and will not seek to silence them. They will not accuse them. But the wicked, the evil, do not have truth, so they will always seek to limit investigation, shut down debate, and accuse the truth-seekers of being racist or sexist or wanting to harm others. They will use methods of inducements (bribes and payoffs), intimidation and coercion, and, ultimately, the power of the state through various means, legislation or policy police, to coerce and force their way.

I encourage you to understand the methods of God, truth, love, and freedom and recognize the difference between the corrupt practices of human governments and imposed laws. Understand God’s laws are design laws, the protocols reality is built and functions upon. And realize that imposed laws are the domain of this sinful world. And while the righteous may use imposed rules to restrain evil (stop a predator from walking free)—the righteous never use imposed rules to advance righteousness (require belief, worship, or violate conscience). It is the evil who try to advance their false version of eutopia through imposed law and external punishment.

So, think for yourself, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and practice God’s methods in all that you do.

 

 

 

Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 13

I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

J.B. ,Dalles, OR, USA

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA

 

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 44

We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA