The Lord Jesus said deceptions will come to deceive even the elect if it is possible (see Mark 13:22).
Although God has promised that no one will be able to snatch us away from His hand, we have to do our part in building ourselves up in our most holy faith, so that when the deceptions come, we will be found standing free and strong in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Here are some reasons why some of the elect will be deceived, according to the Bible.
1. A love that has grown cold
Jesus said "many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:11-13).
When our love for God grows cold, we will quickly turn away from Him and lose the ability to discern His voice. Only those who follow Christ wholeheartedly will listen to him. Jesus said in John 10:26-29, "But you don't believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father's hand."
2. Failure to discern deceptions
Jesus said in Mark 13:21-22, ""Then if anyone tells you, 'Look, here is the Messiah,' or 'There he is,' don't believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones."
Many people claiming to be sent by God will appear, complete with signs and wonders. They will speak sounding with much authority and 'anointing,' and because of this many will be deceived. The key here is to look at the fruits of their life.
Jesus said in Matthew 12:33, "A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad." We should check the preacher/pastor/prophet's life and see if their message and miracles support a godly life that is marked by repentance, faith in Christ alone, and an honest pursuit of Christ-likeness, not worldly gains.
3. A steady persistence to declare one is not deceived
No one is totally freed of the possibility to be deceived. Once you think you aren't deceived, you need to be careful. Take for example the Pharisees, who crucified the Person whom they've been waiting for, because they think they're right.
Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith."
We need to check if our foundations are still in Christ alone, not anything else. We should check if we are still living the life that God wants us to live – a life in constant dependence on Him. We should check our fruits, if we are producing the fruits of the Holy Spirit in us.
Remember, we are not perfect and immune to any deception or attack. We should build ourselves up in the faith and trust in the Lord for everything always, while doing our best to study His Word and obey it.
