# Can Your Bible Deceive You? Part Two

> Ephesians 5:6 warns: let no man deceive you with vain words. This second part answers the question Part One asked — yes, your Bible can deceive you, not because the original text lies, but through misinterpretation, twisting and misapplying it.

- Source: https://timeisathandlive.org/blog/can-your-bible-deceive-you-part-two
- Site: Time Is At Hand Evangelistic Ministries (https://timeisathandlive.org)
- Key scripture: Ephesians 5:6
- Topics: present truth, end-time, Bible study
- Licence: free to read, quote and share, with attribution.

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> **Ephesians 5:6** — Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of
> these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

The answer is "an emphatic yes," a forceful and convincing affirmation that has
far-reaching significance. The original text of the Bible does not lie or
deceive, but misinterpretation, twisting and misapplying it can seriously
deceive you.

> **Jeremiah 29:8** — For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let
> not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive
> you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

<figure>
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    <img
      src="/images/blog/let-not-your-diviners-deceive-you.jpg"
      alt="A painting of a bronze brazier on a stone floor in a dark room, a column of smoke rising from its coals, carrying Jeremiah 29:8 — let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you"
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  <figcaption>
    <strong>A warning to God's own people</strong>
    Jeremiah wrote these words in a letter to the exiles in Babylon, where
    prophets among them were promising that the captivity would be short.
  </figcaption>
</figure>

> Prior to and at the first advent of Christ, religious teachers set forth
> strange ideas that were so mingled with portions of truth that they were full
> of deception, and led many souls away from God, even though they preserved
> the appearance of being credible. We find a similar condition of society in
> these last days, and those who depart from the faith, mingle with their
> belief diversity of human opinion. The Bible is brought into criticism.
>
> — *Signs of the Times*, June 4, 1894;
> [*This Day With God*](https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/149.0), page 164

Religious teachers are in the same condition as were the Pharisees of whom He
said, "Ye are both ignorant of the Scriptures and of the power of God" (see
[Matthew 22:29](https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1965.48796)).

There are people today who are doing the same as they did in the time of Christ
and are teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. With craft and
subtlety, they are rewriting the Bible.

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    <img
      src="/images/blog/what-can-deceive-you.jpg"
      alt="A painting of a candle, an inkwell and a white quill on a dark wooden desk, carrying three ways the Bible can deceive you: misinterpretation, twisting and misapplying"
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  <figcaption>
    <strong>Not the text, but what is done to it</strong>
    All three work on words that are true in themselves — the danger lies in
    how they are read, bent and used.
  </figcaption>
</figure>

> **Ephesians 5:6** — Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of
> these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

"Take heed that no man deceive you" — this statement is conclusive, but Paul
amplified it so we can know where to look and how best to understand the subtle
nature of deception.

> The world is full of false theories, attractive and tempting spiritualistic
> ideas, which tend to destroy clear spiritual perception, and to lead away
> from truth and holiness. Especially at this time do we need to heed the
> warning, "Let no man deceive you with vain words."
>
> — *Our Upward Look*, 316.5

For the followers of Christ to escape being ruined by deception, they must be
alert and aware of the subtle craft of the enemy. Most Bible versions are full
of distortion and false translations. The original Scriptures are not vague and
inconsistent. The foundation of conflicting opinions and various perceptions
and doctrines is laid out by the master of deception and finds acceptance in
the religious world.

The original manuscripts were tampered with to create doubts in the Divine
origin and inspiration of the Scripture. The original scripture of some
manuscripts was corrupted by multiple changes that led people to come to
diverse opinions and questions. Those who undertake to interpret the Bible have
corrupted the Word of God and wrested the Scripture from its true meaning, by
seeking to harmonize the truth of God with the inventions and doctrines of
men. The Scriptures are perverted and misapplied during the translation of many
manuscripts, and the gems of truth are set in the framework of error.

## Can your Bible deceive you?

The question remains, "Can your Bible deceive you?" Yes!

A lady was out shopping and saw what appeared to be genuine laundry detergent
on sale. The price was so attractive and competitive that she could hardly
resist her desire to purchase it. She purchased the beautiful-looking box of
laundry detergent, but when she was ready to do her washing, she discovered
that her beautiful detergent box was full of sawdust. She was deceived!

**Let no one deceive you with vain words … or let no man deceive you by any
means …** — 2 Thessalonians 2:3

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    <img
      src="/images/blog/by-any-means.jpg"
      alt="A painting of an ornate gilded box filled with pale shavings on a dark wooden table, carrying 2 Thessalonians 2:3 — let no man deceive you by any means"
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  </picture>
  <figcaption>
    <strong>Before that day</strong>
    Paul wrote this to believers being told the day of Christ was already at
    hand — a falling away, he said, had to come first.
  </figcaption>
</figure>

In this our day, the attempts to deceive have increased one hundredfold. It is
of great importance for Christians to be on their guard. There is almost no
subject on which caution is more urged and more proper than the subject of
deception.

In the next episode, you'll see where deception has made its way into the
Christian Bible. The necessity for caution cannot be overemphasized — let no
one deceive you by any means.

Thanks for reading — God bless you always until next time.

Maranatha.

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This is the second part.
[Can Your Bible Deceive You? Part One](/blog/can-your-bible-deceive-you)
defines deception, sets Christ's warning in Matthew 24:24 beside Revelation
13:14, and asks the question this part answers. The series continues in
[Part Three](/blog/can-your-bible-deceive-you-part-three), which sets the King
James text beside the modern versions — Lucifer's name in Isaiah 14:12, the
Lord's Prayer in Luke 11:2, and 1 John 5:7.

If this study has raised something you would like to talk through, the team
reads every message: [ask a Bible question](/contact/bible-questions), or
[send a prayer request](/contact/prayer-requests).

On the master of deception this article names,
[Origins of Evil](/studies/origins-of-evil) traces how Lucifer, created an
upright angel, became the enemy — and how his works will be destroyed. On keeping the truth whole in a divided religious world,
[The Church and Its Mission](/end-time/the-church-and-its-mission) sets out the
church as the pillar and ground of the truth.