Breaking Down a Famous Biblical Warning About Deception
Understanding the Statement
The phrase “even the elect may be deceived” comes from Matthew 24:24 in the New Testament of the Bible. In this verse, Jesus is talking to His followers and warning them that, as time goes on, there will be false prophets and people claiming to be the Christ (Messiah). These people will try to trick others, even using amazing signs or wonders, and their goal is to lead people away from the truth—even God’s chosen people, called “the elect.”
Who Are “the Elect”?
In simple terms, “the elect” means those who are chosen by God. In Christian belief, these are the people God has picked out for a special relationship with Him—sometimes called believers or followers of Jesus. The Bible describes the elect as those who are saved by God’s grace, not because of anything special they have done, but because God chose them.
The Risk of Being Deceived
Just because someone is “the elect” doesn’t mean they are safe from every problem. Jesus warns that being chosen by God doesn’t make someone immune to confusion, temptation, or trickery. In fact, Matthew 24:24 says that the deceptions will be so convincing that, if it were possible, even the elect could be fooled!
What Does “Deceive” Mean Here?
To “deceive” is simply to trick or mislead. In this verse, Jesus is warning that some people will pretend to be messengers from God or even the Savior Himself. They might do things that look miraculous—like signs and wonders—to make people believe them. But these are not true messengers from God; they are fakes, and their goal is to lead people away from the truth.
Why Are Signs and Wonders Mentioned?
When Jesus talks about “signs and wonders,” He means events or miracles that seem supernatural or amazing. These could be impressive enough to make people think, “Wow, this must be from God!” But Jesus warns that not all miracles or supernatural events are from God—sometimes they are tricks meant to fool us.
How Could Even the Elect Be at Risk?
Jesus says, “if possible,” even the elect could be deceived. Most Christian teachers agree that this means it’s extremely difficult (even impossible) for God’s true people to be completely led astray, but the danger is real and should not be taken lightly. In other words, believers should never think they are “too smart” or “too spiritual” to be tricked. Instead, Jesus encourages everyone to stay alert.
Why Is This Warning Important?
This is more than just a prediction; it’s a call to pay attention. Jesus wants His followers to check everything they hear and see—especially if someone claims to speak for God. The Bible encourages believers to read and understand Scripture, pray for guidance, and use discernment (good judgment) so they can tell the difference between truth and lies.
Does This Only Apply to the End Times?
While Jesus was talking about events leading up to the end of the world, many Christians believe this warning applies to all times. Throughout history, there have always been people or groups that try to twist or change the message of Christianity for their own gain. This means believers need to stay alert, no matter when or where they live.
What Should Believers Do?
· Stay grounded in God’s Word: Regular reading of the Bible helps people recognize what is true.
· Pray for wisdom and discernment: Ask God for help to see what’s real and what’s false.
· Be cautious of anyone claiming to have secret knowledge or perform miracles: Test their message against what the Bible teaches.
· Don’t rely only on emotions or impressive experiences: Not everything that feels or looks “spiritual” is from God.
In Summary
The statement “even the elect may be deceived” is a strong warning to all who believe in God. It reminds us that deception is a real danger and that no one is above being tricked. Jesus’s words call us to stay alert, keep learning, and hold on to what is true—so that, no matter what happens or who comes along with fancy words or miracles, we won’t be led away from faith in God.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 