Dangerous Deception in the Last Days

Sunday Sermon Notes

August 17, 2025

Pastor Derk Adams

Opening Text

2 Timothy 3:13 (KJV)

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,

deceiving, and being deceived.”

Introduction

We are living in a time where truth is being redefined. Nations debate what is right and

wrong, culture shifts its morals daily, and technology spreads lies faster than ever before.

World events confirm what Jesus and the apostles warned us about:

- Wars and rumors of wars dominate the headlines as nations rise against nations.

- Economic uncertainty grips families as inflation, job losses, and global instability create

fear.

- Moral confusion floods our schools, governments, and media—right is called wrong,

and wrong is called right.

- False prophets and voices rise daily online, mixing truth with lies to deceive the masses.

The spirit of deception is strong in these last days. But the church must be vigilant. If we

lean on this world, we will fall into its traps. If we lean on God, we will stand secure.

Background on the Text

Paul wrote to Timothy, warning him about the perilous days that would come. He

described men becoming lovers of themselves, lovers of money, proud, blasphemous,

disobedient, and unholy (2 Timothy 3:1-5). In verse 13, Paul reveals a tragic truth:

deception not only exists but also increases. This deception would come through

seducing spirits, false doctrines, and worldly systems designed to pull people away from

God. The only way to survive such times is to lean on God’s truth, God’s Spirit, and

God’s power.

Isaiah 5:20 (KJV)

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put

darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for

bitter!”

Matthew 24:12 (KJV)

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax

cold.”

(These set the stage—showing the spiritual climate of the last days and why we

must lean on God rather than the world.)

Key Points

1. Lean on God’s Word, Not the World’s Lies

Matthew 24:24 (KJV)

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and

shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall

deceive the very elect.”

The only safeguard against deception is the Word of God. Feelings can be manipulated,

headlines can mislead, and culture can shift, but the Word of God is eternal truth. If we

don’t know the Word, we will fall for the lie.

2. Lean on God’s Spirit, Not Human Wisdom

John 16:13 (KJV)

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you

into all truth…”

The Holy Ghost is the discerner of truth. In a world filled with half-truths and counterfeit

voices, we must rely on the Spirit to reveal what is real. Human wisdom can be fooled,

but the Spirit of God cannot be deceived.

3. Lean on God’s Kingdom, Not Earthly Security

1 John 2:15-17 (KJV)

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world…

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God

abideth for ever.”

The world promises security through money, politics, and power, but all of it is fading. If

our hope is in governments, leaders, or wealth, we will be disappointed. But those who

lean on the eternal kingdom of God will never be moved.

Plea

Church, deception is not coming, it is already here. We see it in the media, in politics, in

education, and even creeping into the church. But now is not the time to fear; it is the

time to lean completely on God. Lean on His Word—it will never change. Lean on His

Spirit—He will never lie. Lean on His Kingdom—it will never fall.

The world is shaking, but the people of God must stand unshaken. Dangerous deception

is all around us, but greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.

Final Scripture

Psalm 119:105 (KJV)

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”