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 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, 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 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 68

Your message of design law vs imperial law is so uplifting and makes so much sense- it is a game changer for me. The fact that Jesus’s death is not a big payment by an angry God is , quite frankly, a relief.

Laura G., London, Ontario, Canada

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

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