Not everything that sounds spiritual is from God. That is why believers must stay rooted in prayer, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Not every preacher, prophet, or teacher speaks for God. A gospel without repentance is not the Gospel Jesus preached!

1 Timothy 4:1

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.”

We are living in a time where truth is constantly challenged. People are confused about right and wrong, holiness and compromise, truth and lies. The greatest danger to the church is not always persecution from outside, but deception from within.

The Apostle Paul warned Timothy that some would abandon the faith because they listened to “deceitful spirits.” These spirits do not always appear evil. They often come disguised as wisdom, freedom, enlightenment, or the way and inspiration to success.

Satan’s first weapon in the Garden of Eden was deception.

We read in Genesis 3:1, he asked Eve

“Did God really say…?”

Whenever the enemy wants to destroy a person, he first attacks the truth.

What did our Lord say about the truth?

Jesus declared:

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32).

Only truth can set a person free. If you allow truth to guide your life- your personal, family, social and spiritual life will change for eternally good!

If truth brings freedom, then deception of any kind will bring bondage in one’s life. It is always important to follow sound doctrines and values in our life and is equally important to be absolutely aware of deception and the work of deceiving spirits around us. I strongly doubt, christian leaders and preachers largely do expose the deceiving spirits as they ought to.

What Are Deceitful Spirits?

Deceitful spirits are demonic influences that lead people away from God’s truth. Their purpose is to:

• Distort Scripture,

• Weaken conviction,

• Promote rebellion,

• Create confusion,

• Justify sin,

• And destroy faith.

Remember my brothers and sisters, not every spiritual experience is from God.

We are warned in 1 John 4:1

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”

A deceitful spirit may sound spiritual but will always move people away from holiness, obedience, humility, repentance and the lordship of Christ!

1. Signs of Deception

What are the signs of deception? How do we know that we are deceived?

A. Rejecting God’s Word

The first sign of deception is when people stop honouring Scripture.

A deceitful spirit will influence you to take God’s Word lightly saying

• You don’t need to obey all of God’s commands.

•  Everyone is doing it.

•  God understands.

•  Truth is relative and applies to certain situations only

But God’s Word is unchanging! That remains to be Eternal Truth through centuries and millenniums!

Our Lord said in Matthew 25:35

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

When we listen to preachers more than the Lord, we are bound to be deceived. There are thousands of preachers today with vibrant personalities and eloquence, who appear to be more stylish than worldly celebrities, to twist scriptures to their benefit and preach to millions of people. When you hear and believe them even once more than the God given Scripture, deception has already begun!

Paul warned Timothy that the ‘so-called believers’ would gather teachers who tell them what they want to hear instead of the truth.

Remember, Church! Not every preacher, prophet, or teacher speaks for God.

A gospel without repentance is not the Gospel Jesus preached!

A deceitful spirit works by hiding lies behind what appears good, attractive, or reasonable. The enemy’s goal is to pull people away from God’s truth little by little through confusion, temptation, pride, and compromise.

We see in Acts 16:16–18

A slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination followed Paul and Silas. Even though she spoke certain truths about them, the spirit behind her was not from God.

Paul cast the spirit out in Jesus’ name.

A spirit can speak partial truth and still be deceptive. Discernment is essential!.

Not everything that sounds spiritual is from God. That is why believers must stay rooted in prayer, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

When believers stand in truth, walk in holiness, and remain close to Christ, deception loses its power.

B. Absence of Discernment

Discernment is spiritual vision.

Understanding the person and the spirit working behind him or her.

Only the Holy Spirit can help us to recognize what is true and what is false.

1 John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Be humble and teachable so that some godly man or woman can lead you to the whole truth.

People who cannot receive corrections are easy targets for deception.

Jeremiah 5:31

“The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?”

C. Not Honouring the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit leads believers into truth.

We read in John 16:13

“When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.”

A close relationship with God protects the believer from counterfeit spirits.

Ask the Holy Spirit to be your guide. Do not grieve Him. Follow His leadings all the time.

If we continuously resist the truth, God Himself will send a spirit of delusion on us that He would allow us to believe a lie.

That means, a person continues to believe that he is born-again when he is not. A person continues to believe that he is approved by God when he is not. A person continues to believe that he or she is anointed or baptised in the Holy Spirit in fact they are not! They think that they are believers but God doesn’t recognise them!

You don’t believe what I say?

Please read, 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12

“For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness”.

I am going to share about the ministry of a minor prophet who was not known that much to many believers.

It is prophet Michaiah, who was mentioned only in one place that is in 1 Kings 22:8-18

Michaiah is an obscure prophet, yet his fascinating story has lessons for us today.

Prophecy played a major part in the Old Testament times, especially in the days of the kings of Israel and Judah. Odd stories fill the Bible's pages, and the prophet Michaiah’s story is no different.

When Was Micaiah a Prophet in Israel?

During King Ahab’s reign, the prophet Micaiah played a significant role in Israelite history. 1 Kings 22:1-28 sets the stage: Ahab, an infamously sinful and idolatrous king of Israel, sought to ally with Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, for military campaigns. Ahab proposed a plan to reclaim the city of Ramoth-Gilead from the Syrians. Before proceeding with the campaign, both kings consulted their prophets regarding the outcome.

Ahab’s court prophets unanimously prophesied success, an assured military victory. However, Jehoshaphat asked if another prophet of the Lord was available for consultation. Ahab reluctantly mentioned Micaiah, indicating a history of conflict between the king and the prophet.

While God sent many prophets to deliver his messages, some would be tempted by politics or favors to give the king only good news. Jehosaphat possibly recognized this issue and wanted a more honest prophet.

What Does Micaiah Tell Ahab and Jehoshaphat?

When Micaiah is brought before the kings, he initially echoes the positive prophecies—perhaps sarcastically aligning himself with the court prophets. However, Ahab pressed him to speak the truth, and Micaiah unveiled a vision granted to him by the Lord.

Ahab had resisted God’s truth and ways over decades (as seen in stories about Ahab and his wife Jezebel opposing the prophet Elijah).

Micaiah’s prophecy foretells a scene in the heavenly realm where God seeks counsel on enticing Ahab to go into battle and meet his demise. A spirit comes forward and suggests becoming a lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab’s prophets. In this vision, Micaiah reveals the divine planning behind the deceptive messages delivered by Ahab’s court prophets. It’s a powerful display of God’s sovereignty over events on earth and in heaven.

Turning to the immediate question—the outcome of the military campaign—Micaiah boldly declares Ahab’s defeat. He predicts the dispersal of Israel’s shepherds (symbolizing the loss of leadership, the people scattering). Micaiah affirms that Ahab will not return from the battle alive.

Despite his grim prophecy, Micaiah urges Ahab and Jehoshaphat to heed the message. They can avoid the impending disaster if they recognize the gravity of the situation. Micaiah’s willingness to speak truth to power distinguishes him as a faithful prophet who prioritizes God’s message over safety or popularity with the kings.

Both kings need to change their plans to fight together against Ramoth-Gilead.

Who Was the Prophet that Slapped Micaiah?

Micaiah’s commitment to only speak God’s word is not met with gratitude.

When he describes God sending a lying spirit into the prophets who spoke favour and victory, they are terribly upset. To be accused of lying or being manipulated insulted them.

The words especially anger a false prophet named Zedekiah. Zedekiah strikes Micaiah on the cheek and challenges him sarcastically, asking which way the Spirit of the Lord went from him to speak to Micaiah. This act of aggression attempts to discredit Micaiah’s message.

Michaiah responds to Zedekiah: “You shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide.”

The Bible does not tell us outright how Micaiah’s words were fulfilled.

The story emphasizes the opposition Micaiah faced for delivering an unwelcome prophecy rather than the specific identity of the one who physically struck him.

What Can We Learn from the Story of Micaiah?

1. Faithfulness to God’s Message.

Micaiah’s unwavering commitment to delivering the Lord’s true message despite hostility and pressure is a powerful example. Centuries have passed, but people remain the same. Religious leaders, even Christian pastors, feel the temptation to gain favour with political powers through compromising the truth. We can learn the importance of remaining faithful to God’s Word, even when the message may be unpopular or challenging.

Micaiah’s refusal to align with the popular beliefs and his resistance against peer pressure serve as a lesson for speaking to a world that often opposes biblical values. We should be willing to stand alone if necessary, prioritizing our commitments to God over our conformity to the world standards we see around.

2. Discernment During Deception.

The narrative underscores the need for spiritual discernment. We are called to discern between authentic and deceptive messages—whether from false prophets or cultural influences. God is truth, and the Spirit has been given to us to lead us into all truth (John 15). We must rest on God’s word and seek his insight during deceptive times. Micaiah’s vision prompts us to seek clarity and wisdom in understanding the spiritual dynamics in our lives.

Standing against deception requires bravery, especially when worldly powers accept and push lies. Micaiah’s courage in confronting falsehood, even at the risk of personal harm, inspires us to stand firm in the face of deception. Today, we must courageously address false teachings, cultural pressures, and influences deviating from biblical truth. 

3. Consequences of Rejecting Truth.

We speak the truth in love. The truth leads people to the best and lies lead to death and destruction. Hence, when God decided Ahab’s time as king was up, he sought a lying spirit. Still, Ahab had the opportunity to repent but didn’t. Ahab’s rejection of Micaiah’s warning leads to terrible consequences. The story encourages believers to take seriously the consequences of rejecting divine guidance.

When believers stand in truth, walk in holiness, and remain close to Christ, deception loses its power. 

By Pastor Renji George

Scriptures: 1 John 4:1, 1 Kings 22:1-28, 1 Kings 22:8-18, 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, 2 Corinthians 11:2-4, 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, Acts 16:16, Acts 16:16-18, Galatians 1:7-8, Genesis 3:1, Jeremiah 5:31, John 15, John 16:13, John 8:32, Matthew 25:35

Sermon Topics: Deception, Corruption, Last Days, False Teachers, False Gospel, False Apostles, King Ahab, False Prophet, Another Gospel, Another Spirit, Deceptive Spirit, Deceiving Spirit, Corrupted Gospel, Money Prophets, Another Jesus, Prophet Michaiah, King Jehoshaphat