We could hardly miss a 500 pound gorilla in the front room, but too often fail to see the mouse hiding in the corner. We might be more astute and see the mouse but fail to see the fly.

Deception seldom comes roaring in with clanging bells and brass bands. Deception' arrival often goes unnoticed albeit undetected by far too many as each strive to be all they feel the LORD has called them to be. There is something subtly deceptive about deception. Deception all to often goes unnoticed, undetected, unchecked and unchallenged.

For example:

Augustine, loved by so many in the faith, tells us that scripture teaches: "All sinned in Adam" ~ but does it?

J.R.R. Tolkien's “The Lord of the Rings” series remains an extremely popular trilogy among many bible believing Christians. Fascinating millions of readers through its Christian ideals and morals, “The Lord of the Rings” hero, Samwise, is loved for his selflessness, his devotion to his master, and his strength in resisting evil ~ but is this Christianity?

William P. Young, C.S. Lewis and J.K Rowlings; respected by millions within the church as  Christian authors ~ but are they?

The bible does not say “all sinned in Adam” but says: “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:22

J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Lord of the Rings” series was not biblically based, theologically sound nor Christian in its theme or content. Tolkien himself denied the very thing that some Christians today are claiming, that these fantasies are an allegory of Christ’s victory over the devil. Dungeons and Dragons, which appeared in the early 1970s was based on Tolkien’s fantasy novels.

Repeatedly; witchcraft, sorcery and divination sprang from the pages of novels penned by  'christian' authors C.S. Lewis and J.K. Rowlings. Many within Christendom view the works of Rowlings and Lewis as being where cultural and spiritual issues overlap. Neither author identify the source of the supernatural power in their works, presenting magic as something rather ordinary -- something to be used for good or evil.

William [Paul] Young author of The Shack writes:

 “No matter what God’s power may be, the first aspect of God is never that of absolute Master, the Almighty. It is that of the God who puts Himself on our human level and limits Himself.”

The Shack undermines Scripture and the church, presents a mutilated gospel,  misrepresents biblical teachings concerning the Godhead and offers a New Age understanding of God and the universe.

"The Purpose-Driven Church, The Postmodern Church, The Shack, New Spirituality, Kingdom Now, Word of Faith or the Emergent Church all have as their agenda a major paradigm shift that has affected and will continue to both affect and infiltrate the minds of many evangelical pastors. The shift includes the new evangelical notion that the church must become postmodern in order to reach secular America. The shift includes a definitive move away from belief in absolute truth." Berit Kjos

We must test all things - accepting nothing as truth which cannot be based on the foundation of scripture. In the dark days ahead many will come with new ideas, new ways of doing, new ways of being -remember the words of our LORD:

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16