Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
5 26 2026
The Great Deception: When People No Longer Want the Truth Part 2 of 2
Part One ended with a sobering question: what happens when people reject truth for so long that eventually they no longer even recognize it?
Scripture answers that question with terrifying clarity.
Paul warned us in 2nd Thessalonians when he spoke of a great falling away. Again, in 1 Timothy he warned that many would abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits. In 2 Timothy, he said people would gather teachers or friends who tell them exactly what their itching ears want to hear. And perhaps the most sobering part is that deception rarely comes dressed like evil. It often arrives sounding compassionate, enlightened, intellectual, empowering, even spiritual.
Half-truths are still lies… How many religions are there? Have you noticde how they use the truths of the bible and spin them to their own gain. It’s a lie. A half truth. That is the great deception.
Jesus Himself warned us in Matthew that false prophets and false messiahs would arise with such persuasive power that even believers could be shaken if not anchored deeply in truth. That should sober every one of us. Because if we neglect the Word of God long enough, eventually we lose the ability to discern the counterfeit.
The Church and the Great Deception are not merely future tense. It is already here. It has slipped into culture, education, entertainment, relationships, politics, social media, and sadly even parts of the church. Some have drifted so far they no longer know the way back.
It is vitally important that every Christian compare every teaching with what the Bible says and spend the time necessary to evaluate what is being taught. How long did it take us to become a professional in our trade…but we forget about learning about God. He gives us the breathe we breath 12 to 20 times each minute, but we can’t offer up even a minute to the God of the Universe in Worship. How insulting is that!
When God Gives Them Over
I read this piece online that just cut to the chase: “Therefore, God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
2 Thessalonians 2:9–12
In this passage, after people have refused the truth for so long, God causes them to believe what is false…a “strong delusion.”
This is NOT an instance where God actively deceives people; rather, God is simply giving those who reject the truth what they really want.
We see a similar pattern in Romans 1 where people reject God’s truth for so long that He simply abandons them to their own sinfulness. They have, as it were, crossed the point of no return. Their thinking becomes futile. Their hearts become darkened. They exchange the truth about God for a lie and slowly the lie becomes their reality.
And that may be the most frightening judgment of all…not fire falling from heaven, but God finally saying, “If that is what you truly want, I will let you have it.”
If you feel like that sounded a little hell, fire and brimstone…perhaps it was.
But here is the hope.
There is still a remnant. There are still hungry hearts. There are still men and women falling to their knees saying, “Lord, teach me Your ways again.” There are still prodigals hearing the Father’s voice calling them home. There are still believers opening Bibles with tears in their eyes saying, “I want truth even when it confronts me.”
The answer is not panic. It is not fear. It is not obsession with darkness. The answer is returning to truth.
Open the Word again. Walk in community again. Pray again. Repent quickly again. Let older believers disciple younger believers again. Learn to recognize the voice of God again, before the noise of culture drowns it out completely.
Because nobody drifts accidentally toward holiness.
And the only thing powerful enough to overcome deception…is truth. God’s Truth!
In Case you missed part one… Here is the link: https://fearlesslycourageous.com/the-great-deception-when-darkness-starts-feeling-normal-pt-1/
Questions for Reflection — Part Two
- Have I begun choosing teachers, voices, or influences that comfort my flesh more than challenge my spirit?
- Am I truly anchored in God’s Word enough to recognize deception when it sounds compassionate, intellectual, or spiritual?
- If someone watched my daily habits closely, would they see a person pursuing holiness…or simply blending into the culture around me?
“What part of this hit home for you this morning? What are you carrying today that needs prayer? If you’d like, send me a prayer request here. Let’s invite the Holy Spirit in together. (where two are gathered.) You are not walking alone. Just hit reply…
I read every response.”
If you know someone who needs to hear this? Pass this lesson and future devotions, with this Signup link: http://eepurl.com/i_nlb2 . My website to view past devotions is https://fearlesslycourageous.com. This post is public, so feel free to share it.
Just a note on May 26th, I continue to host a Discovering Jesus ONLINE 6-week course to dive deeper into our faith and empower you with true tenets of our faith to stand on. Tuesday nights, 7pm to 8:30. It is open to you, your spouse, your family, or your neighbors. Here is a link and I can send you the necessary materials. It is FREE of charge.
To join the video meeting, click this link: https://meet.google.com/zkb-dxcq-iau
Love Like This / No One Like You (Spontaneous) / Break Every Chain // The Belonging Co
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