Will YeHoVah allow us to be deceived?

[Bawb]

Excerpted from this website: https://www.setapartpeople.com/deception-will-abba-yahovah-allow-us-to-be-deceived

Every one of us is subject to deception. Yeshua said even the very elect could be deceived (Matt 24:24). This was also Yeshua’s very first warning when Mixed worship will lead to your deception. He was asked about the end of the age. He said: “see to it that no one deceives you” (Matt 24:3-5). We have written a previous post about deception and will continue to do, because of the importance and relevance of this topic. In this study, we want to look at how certain practices can make it possible for us to be deceived. These practices can be summarized as mixed worship. This will include any practices and traditions contrary to the Word.

The definition of deception:

We shall commence this study by defining deception:

mis•lead \ˌmis-ˈlēd\ verb

-led \-ˈled\; -lead•ing verb transitive before 12th century: to lead in a wrong direction or into a mistaken action or belief often by deliberate deceit verb intransitive: to lead astray : give a wrong impression

Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

de•ceive \di-ˈsēv\ verb

1 archaic: ENSNARE

2 a. obsolete: to be false to

   b. archaic: to fail to fulfill

3 obsolete: CHEAT

4: to cause to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid

5 archaic: to while away verb intransitive: to practice deceit also: to give a false impression 〈appearances can deceive〉 — de•ceiv•er noun — de•ceiv•ing•ly \-ˈsē-viŋ-lē\ adverb

synonym DECEIVE, MISLEAD, DELUDE, BEGUILE mean to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness. DECEIVE implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness 〈tried to deceive me about the cost〉. MISLEAD implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional 〈I was misled by the confusing sign〉. DELUDE implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth 〈we were deluded into thinking we were safe〉. BEGUILE stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving 〈was beguiled by false promises〉.

Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

From the above we can expound the following:

1. Deception may or may not be intentional.

2. It is to be led in a wrong direction or into a mistaken action or belief; to be led astray

3. To cause to accept as true or valid; what is false or invalid

4. Implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness

5. Obscure the truth

[Bawb]

Practices that cause a person to be deceived.

We have in a previous post focused on how to know the truth from error. This time we are going to look at two other practices that will cause us to be deceived. There are many accepted practices, among believers that are totally against YeHoVah’s Torah (Instruction). These practices are quite varied. We are going to expound two practices that will lead to further deception. Both have their roots in idolatry. Firstly, the merging of pagan or heathen worship practices or traditions with our worship of YeHoVah, and secondly the infiltration of new age ideologies and methods as part of what we believe and practice.

1. The merging of pagan worship with the worship of YeHoVah

YeHoVah has given us His appointed times to celebrate, in Leviticus 23. These times are Sabbath, Rosh Chodesh (new moon), Pesach, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Shavuot, Yom T’ruah, Yom Kippurim and Sukkot. These feasts all have a special prophetic significance, and we are told to celebrate them perpetually.

None of these instructions have changed. YeHoVah said it is to be an everlasting ordinance, and He does not change (Mal 3:6).

Why do we add to this?

Why are we celebrating feasts not commanded by Him like Christmas, Easter, Halloween and Valentine’s Day to name a few? Do we know where these feasts originated from?

Why are we blindly following traditions without understanding the roots thereof? The lighting of candles as an act of worship comes from Nimrod. The setting up of a Christmas tree or a Channukah bush stems from an ancient pagan tradition which is described in Jeremiah 10. The tradition of eating apples dipped in honey at Yom T’ruah, also has heathen or pagan roots. These are but a few examples. It is not our intention to go into further detail here. It is our responsibility to study the origins of the traditions we observe.

We don’t have the authority to add to Scripture, and we should not be participating in traditions with idolatrous origins.

Deuteronomy 12:30 through 32 - 30 beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ 31 “You shall not behave thus toward YeHoVah your Elohim, for every abominable act which YeHoVah hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. 32“Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it.

Jeremiah 10:2 - 2 Thus says YeHoVah, “Do not learn the way of the nations, And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens Although the nations are terrified by them;

2. Adopting practices used by the nations (unbelievers)

Read that scripture in Deuteronomy again

Deuteronomy 12:29 through 30 - 29 “When YeHoVah your Elohim cuts off before you the nations which you are going in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, 30 beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’

We have to be pure in our worship of YeHoVah! YeHoVah the Almighty does not tolerate idolatry. We have to fear and obey Him only!

The Israelites – when they made the golden calf – called it their Elohim who brought them out of Egypt (Exo 32:4-5). They even declared a new feast day in YHVH’s Name. They were in their hearts worshiping YeHoVah. However, in front of them was a golden calf. It was still idolatry!

You cannot take a pagan practice and "Christianize" it by doing it in the name of YeHoVah. It was, is and always will be an abomination to Him.

The same argument is true with regards to alternative health care practices. To quote the believers herein: “The frequencies emitted by the linen or the essential oils have healing power.” Really? I do not deny that it is healthy to wear natural fibers and I do not deny that we can benefit from the use of herbs and healthy nutrition, but to ascribe the healing to frequencies (which is a new-age lie) is idolatry. How is it different from standing in front of a carved image and ascribing your healing to it?

People will, for the sake of unity, allow anything nowadays. They don’t want to make an issue. People don’t want to tell anybody he or she is in the wrong. They are so scared that it may cause division in the fold. They call it love; I call it compromise. It is a typical Laodicean (Rev 3:15-16) attitude. It plays beautifully into the hands of the enemy. We are told in Gal 6:1 to correct each other in love.

We must be passionate about the truth and not allow heathen practices to creep into our lives, but we also have a responsibility to warn our brothers in love.

Is it love to allow your child to play in a busy street because, he might become upset if you tell him that it is wrong? No, it isn’t, and not telling him, might lead to his death. Just so, will idolatry cause spiritual death! I can speak from experience since I was involved in new-age and we have for the most part of our life celebrated Christmas, Easter and Valentines day. Thankfully, YeHoVah has shown us His way. Often, He uses people!

Edited December 1, 2021 by Bawb

[Bawb]

I am telling you this to help you, just like I was helped many years ago. I want to be that person for you.  YeHoVah through His grace and mercy placed people in my life who showed me the way. He is good to us and will tell us when we do wrong, and He will often use people.

Will we listen? Sometimes we are too blinded by pride to listen. Pride leads to spiritual blindness. Read Rev 3:17-19.

Nobody has the ultimate truth. We shall go through life always having to unlearn untruth and learn new truth. A dangerous place to be, would be a place where you have been doing what you do and believing what you believe, without ever considering anything else. If you don’t accept new truth revealed to you, you will remain stagnant in your learning.

What does the Scripture teach us?

I was studying two passages in the books of the prophets Ezekiel and Hosea and was shocked when I realized what the implications of these words were.

The Scripture shows us in this study how these practices, seen by many, as innocent or unimportant will lead to your destruction.

Hosea 4:6 - 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your Elohim, I also will forget your children.

This verse has always made an impression on me. I have repeatedly wondered whether we can apply the knowledge spoken of here to any knowledge. People are destroyed for lack of knowledge, so I think it can be applied to life in general, but looking at the context; we see the meaning is much deeper. The knowledge spoken of is YeHoVah’s instructions – His Torah! Not having the knowledge of the Word of YeHoVah can and will destroy those not having it.

We shall study this passage in Hosea further to show us how this deception works.

Hosea 4:12 - 12 My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner’s wand informs them; For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray, And they have played the harlot, departing from their Elohim. YeHoVah is speaking to His people here. They have been led astray by a spirit of harlotry. That can happen very easily. That is one of the reasons He told the Israelites not to mingle with the heathen nations. Most things start off on a small-scale and quite innocent.

The author of the Bible Knowledge commentary says it well: “In the midst of this idolatrous, immoral worship the Israelites even had the audacity to employ YHVH’s name in oaths. (Hos 4:15)The Law commanded Israel to swear by YHVH’s name (Deut. 6:13; 10:20). However, to make a semblance of devotion to Yahovah while serving other gods was the grossest hypocrisy.”

Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Ho 4:15). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

What we have here is an example of mixed worship.

Hosea 4:14 - 14 I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot Or your brides when they commit adultery, For the men themselves go apart with harlots And offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes; So the people without understanding are ruined. One thing always leads to another and ruin is the end of these people without understanding.

Hosea 5:4 through 6 - 4 Their deeds will not allow them To return to their Elohim. For a spirit of harlotry is within them, And they do not know YeHoVah. 5 Moreover, the pride of Israel testifies against him, And Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also has stumbled with them. 6 They will go with their flocks and herds To seek YeHoVah, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them.

The most striking and alarming part of this whole passage is that these people will not be able to return to YeHoVah. He has withdrawn from them. Think about this passage in our context. Practicing idolatry in any form – no matter how innocent in your mind- will lead to YeHoVah withdrawing from you and your ultimate destruction.

Another passage that confirms this is the passage in Ezekiel 14. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 14? Does YeHoVah allow people to be deceived? Based on this passage, I would say yes. Abba YeHoVah will allow us to be deceived, and to spread a message of deception if we have idols in our heart.

Ezekiel 14:1 through 11 - 1 Then some elders of Israel came to me and sat down before me. 2 And the word of YeHoVah came to me, saying, 3 “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and have put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity. Should I be consulted by them at all? 4 “Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘Thus says YeHoVah Elohim, “Any man of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I YeHoVah will be brought to give him an answer in the matter in view of the multitude of his idols, 5 in order to lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel who are estranged from Me through all their idols.” ’ 6 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says YeHoVah Elohim, “Repent and turn away from your idols and turn your faces away from all your abominations. 7 “For anyone of the house of Israel or of the immigrants who stay in Israel who separates himself from Me, sets up his idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet to inquire of Me for himself, I YeHoVah will be brought to answer him in My own person. 8 “I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from among My people. So you will know that I am YeHoVah. 9 “But if the prophet is prevailed upon to speak a word, it is I, YeHoVah, who have prevailed upon that prophet, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel. 10 “They will bear the punishment of their iniquity; as the iniquity of the inquirer is, so the iniquity of the prophet will be, 11 in order that the house of Israel may no longer stray from Me and no longer defile themselves with all their transgressions. Thus, they will be My people, and I shall be their Elohim,” ’ declares YeHoVah Elohim.”

Edited December 1, 2021 by Bawb

[Bawb]

A plain reading of the scripture in context reveals the following:

These unrighteous leaders came to Ezekiel for council. YeHoVah said to Ezekiel that they practice idolatry, and this will be the reason YHVH; Himself will answer them according to the idols in their hearts.

The best illustration of Ezekiel’s meaning is the story of YeHoVah’s letting false prophets deceive Ahab, to bring him to his death (1 Kings 22:19-23).

Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Ezekiel 14:9–11). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

YeHoVah allowed a deceiving spirit to deceive Ahab, which resulted in his death.

YeHoVah will allow us to be deceived, if we participate in idolatry. Our deception will be in accordance to the idols in our hearts. What are the idols in our hearts?  We need to evaluate ourselves to see if that which we practice, is strictly in accordance with Abba’s Word, or do we have all kinds of heathen or unbiblical practices mixed in?

There certainly are ways of practicing idolatry in ignorance. This is one case where the saying  “ignorance is bliss” is not true.

How do we set up idols in our hearts?

Anything or anyone more important than YeHoVah is an idol. Clinging to unrighteous, heathen traditions and practices are idols in our hearts.

How do we safeguard ourselves against deception?

1. Stay away from any form of idolatry.

2. Do not mingle idolatrous practices into your worship of Abba YeHoVah.

3. Live purely and in accordance with His Word. His Word is righteousness.

What is righteousness? It is only through our belief in Yeshua that we are truly righteous. Yeshua is true righteousness, He is the living word.

Ecclesiastes 9:8 - 8 Let your garments be white at all times, and let your head lack no oil.

White clothes are a picture of righteousness. To put on righteousness is to put on Messiah Yeshua. What is the role of the Torah then? After salvation comes righteous living. How would that be possible without instructions? You would say: but we are led by the Ruach (YeHoVah’s Spirit). That is true! The Ruach will lead you to walk in His way, according to His instructions.

To put on Yeshua’s salvation is to put on the righteousness of YHVH – His Torah. YeHoVah and Yeshua are one just as His instructions and righteousness are one.

Psalm 119:172 - 172 Let my tongue sing of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.

2 Timothy 3:7-8 * 7who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.…

Ephesians 4:15 Speaking the truth in love, so that we grow up in all respects into HIM Who is the head, Messiah (Yeshua).

 

Edited December 1, 2021 by Bawb

[CaptWalker]

To me it is very simple, in that God will ALLOW but will never CAUSE you to go astray, period. Take that however you want, but you don't really need multiple scripture references to prove this to be true, only basic logic and what your heart/soul is telling you. And of course the Holy Spirit within doesn't hurt either, but that seems to be an unpopular means of reasoning or making life decisions in these times we are living, just saying.

Edited December 1, 2021 by CaptWalker

[R. Hartono]

3 hours ago, Bawb said:

 

YeHoVah has given us His appointed times to celebrate, in Leviticus 23. These times are Sabbath, Rosh Chodesh (new moon), Pesach, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Shavuot, Yom T’ruah, Yom Kippurim and Sukkot. These feasts all have a special prophetic significance, and we are told to celebrate them perpetually.

None of these instructions have changed. YeHoVah said it is to be an everlasting ordinance, and He does not change (Mal 3:6).

Why do we add to this?

Why are we celebrating feasts not commanded by Him like Christmas, Easter, Halloween and Valentine’s Day to name a few? Do we know where these feasts originated from?

Why are we blindly following traditions without understanding the roots thereof? The lighting of candles as an act of worship comes from Nimrod. The setting up of a Christmas tree or a Channukah bush stems from an ancient pagan tradition which is described in Jeremiah 10. The tradition of eating apples dipped in honey at Yom T’ruah, also has heathen or pagan roots. These are but a few examples. It is not our intention to go into further detail here. It is our responsibility to study the origins of the traditions we observe.

We don’t have the authority to add to Scripture, and we should not be participating in traditions with idolatrous origins.

Deuteronomy 12:30 through 32 - 30 beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ 31 “You shall not behave thus toward YeHoVah your Elohim, for every abominable act which YeHoVah hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. 32“Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it.

Jeremiah 10:2 - 2 Thus says YeHoVah, “Do not learn the way of the nations, And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens Although the nations are terrified by them;

2. Adopting practices used by the nations (unbelievers)

Read that scripture in Deuteronomy again

Deuteronomy 12:29 through 30 - 29 “When YeHoVah your Elohim cuts off before you the nations which you are going in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, 30 beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’

We have to be pure in our worship of YeHoVah! YeHoVah the Almighty does not tolerate idolatry. We have to fear and obey Him only!

The Israelites – when they made the golden calf – called it their Elohim who brought them out of Egypt (Exo 32:4-5). They even declared a new feast day in YHVH’s Name. They were in their hearts worshiping YeHoVah. However, in front of them was a golden calf. It was still idolatry!

You cannot take a pagan practice and "Christianize" it by doing it in the name of YeHoVah. It was, is and always will be an abomination to Him.

The same argument is true with regards to alternative health care practices. To quote the believers herein: “The frequencies emitted by the linen or the essential oils have healing power.” Really? I do not deny that it is healthy to wear natural fibers and I do not deny that we can benefit from the use of herbs and healthy nutrition, but to ascribe the healing to frequencies (which is a new-age lie) is idolatry. How is it different from standing in front of a carved image and ascribing your healing to it?

People will, for the sake of unity, allow anything nowadays. They don’t want to make an issue. People don’t want to tell anybody he or she is in the wrong. They are so scared that it may cause division in the fold. They call it love; I call it compromise. It is a typical Laodicean (Rev 3:15-16) attitude. It plays beautifully into the hands of the enemy. We are told in Gal 6:1 to correct each other in love.

We must be passionate about the truth and not allow heathen practices to creep into our lives, but we also have a responsibility to warn our brothers in love.

Is it love to allow your child to play in a busy street because, he might become upset if you tell him that it is wrong? No, it isn’t, and not telling him, might lead to his death. Just so, will idolatry cause spiritual death! I can speak from experience since I was involved in new-age and we have for the most part of our life celebrated Christmas, Easter and Valentines day. Thankfully, YeHoVah has shown us His way. Often, He uses people!

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians 2%3A16-23&version=KJV

Paul has warned the gentile Colossian church that nobody shud judge them regarding Festival days, clean food or shabbat which they are not familiar with. Those are just shadow of things to come.

You seem to have overlooked that Now is the era of Holy Spirit Pentecost downpour which is not given to the ancient desert Hebrew.  The desert Hebrew were not given Holy Spirit with 9 Gifts of Holy Spirit to build the church, so Why return to the ancient desert Law who had not rcvd Holy Spirit but the Law ?

God had renamed the Law contaned in 613 mitzvot of Torah with these two : Love God and love others as you love your belly. 

If you have received Holy Spirit and love Jesus you wont be deceived and you don't need to judge people who didnt dig the old grave of Law, as Paul wrote it to the gentile colossians church.

The Hypocrites Theologian Jews who judged the Collosians only had the Law, not Holy Spirit. They never learn that God has torn the curtain of the most Holy Chamber which means all the Law and practice were only shadow of the true Covenant which is Christ and God further used a nation to destroy the Temple in Jerusalem and the Jews at 70 AD. Wasnt it God who commanded to build the Temple ? Wasnt that God either who destroyed it with all its practice ? Its a new Covenant man, a new Covenant not the shadow.

 

Edited December 1, 2021 by R. Hartono

[AandW_Rootbeer]

From my own observations, I believe the biggest hindrance towards those filled with the Holy Spirit and those who obey the Holy Spirit are man's traditions.  And I have been caught up and guilty of this myself.   You read Scripture, then you have what has been preached based upon that same Scripture versus true interpretation.   One of the most fatal Deceptions we will ever face, is the difference between wrong interpretation that has become a Staple due to its Tradition.

 

Now, if it is a Tradition that goes all the way back to Christ, the Apostles, and then the Church Fathers themselves, it generally is Gospel.

 

But, if it is a Tradition that is only a couple hundred years old and has literally no connections to Christ, the Apostles, and the Church Fathers, it's going to become a Battle Zone.   First and Foremost, Scripture will have to be purposefully misaligned and out of context to anyone reading the Holy Word of God.  Secondly, the Message will be one that has been brainwashed to those who NEVER read the Word of God.  And lastly, the Doctrine will be a Staple to the general Organization.   So, a Person feels good because they attend a Church where this is one of the Core Beliefs, it is Preached rather often, and Everyone feels good because the Lie they believe makes them feel comfortable and safe.

^

So naturally, anyone who reads the Word for themselves, who meditates and waits upon the Holy Spirit for proper translation, is facing a Major dilemma because the Core Believers are literally nowhere on the Same Page.   And now rather than debating Fact for fact, you are Debating knowledge that is simply been wrongfully taught by Preachers.  And that basically puts You against the word of Preachers and that is a very difficult task to overcome.

 

So yes, the Deception is very Great.  So Great, it will literally take an Act of God to Reverse.

[enoob57]

As God's Word alone is truth
 

John 17:6-20

6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
KJV


Our responsibility is to study and know it
 

2 Tim 3:15-17

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
KJV


Thus in recognition of truth we study to know His Word; God blesses us with The Holy Spirit to make sure we get it right... these will have sight through the Scripture and know the error of this place...

[angels4u]

When you become a child of God by accpeting Jesus as your Savior ,He will give you the Holy Spirit who will lead you in truth,as a Christian you will always have to test everything by what the Bible is telling us,if we take the time to read it,we will learn to walk in the path God leads you,He's always with you,always guide you with with His Spirit and when you fall , He will lift you up and set you back on your feet,we're still living in our old body which can deceive us at times,but the Holy Spirit will always let us know and convince us what is pleasing to God and what isn't. How closer we are to God how better we can hear what He's telling us..

 

The Living Stone

1. …8and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed. 9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.…

[Mama Etna]

The degree to which someone is subject to deception depends on the individual's priorities.  Issues such as pride and placing something between themselves and God can open individuals up to deception.  I have a family member who is very controlling and proud and this person has been deceived into believing things that are unreasonable.  This individual conducts themselves in ways that are hurtful toward other family members in the pursuit of this deception.