A deception is always worse than a lie because a deception comes with a personal motive. In Genesis 3, the serpent deceived Eve. He used the Hebrew word “elohiym” (“gods”, Gen 3:5). But the only “elohiym” Adam and Eve knew was God. Thus, Eve understood it to mean that they would, like God, know good and evil. Eventually that deception led to the fall of man, who become fixed in their state of sin.

Deception is very dangerous and can be deadly. In the Old Testament, the devil tried to sever the Messianic line. Today, it is not enough for the devil that there many different religions. He also infiltrates the church and tries to destroy the holy witness and testimony in every form so that people cannot know God. He uses pastors and preachers to spread the health-and-wealth gospel to lead people to love mammon and hate God. We need to protect ourselves from deception.

Galatians 6:6: Protection from deception

The only way to protect ourselves from deception is to know the Word of God. We can also protect and help the preachers and teachers who teach us the Word of God by praying for them as they study and impart God’s Word to us. We must encourage them, and be more empathetic and understanding towards them.

Galatians 6:7: Detection of deception

We are to stop being deceived. Teachers of God’s Word must be very mindful not to be deceived and not to deceive others. Galatians 6:7 uses the illustration of the sowing and the reaping of grains. What we sow is also what we will reap. In the spiritual context, when the true gospel is “sowed,” the working of the Holy Spirit will bring about man’s true conversion, and Jesus will baptize that believer with the Holy Spirit. With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the believer’s life will be evidenced by salvation grace and mercy. This is what will be “reaped.” The practical expression of a truly born-again believer is an intimate and personal walk with God, a life of prayer, a love for God’s Word, and obedience to God. Those who have been deceived will not have these clear evidences.

Galatians 6:8: Ramification of deception

There is a difference between “soweth to his flesh” and “soweth to the Spirit.” The former is a life of carnality and the latter is a life of cheerfulness and praise to God. The world will not read the Bible. The world will read you. What will the world say about you? Are you honest, diligent, helpful? Will others see Christ in you, and be saved? It matters how you live your life.