"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).

There are many innocent little deceptions that may be tried on this date in particular. These are usually harmless enough, though sometimes embarrassing to the victim.

But there are also many big deceptions being perpetrated against Christians, and the Scriptures warn us not to be deceived by them. The Lord Jesus in particular has said to beware of false religions, for they present a false God or a pseudo-Christ who can never provide salvation. This is true of most cults and "new-age" religions, as well as major national religions such as Islam, Hinduism, and others. There are also many other dangerous deceptions. Consider just a few that are widely believed today:

"Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, . . . shall inherit the kingdom of God" (I Corinthians 6:9-10).

"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (I Corinthians 15:33). "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7).

"Let no man deceive himself. . . . For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. . . . Therefore let no man glory in men" (I Corinthians 3:18-19,21).

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (I John 1:8).

Thanks be to God, we can always repent when we have been tempted to follow such deceptions, and God will forgive. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9). HMM