In this powerful teaching, Pastor Rubel Unel Caldwell III of El Roi Kingdom Ministries addresses the rise of "unrighteous deception" in the modern world. He explores the spiritual origins of lies and provides listeners with a biblical roadmap to remain grounded in truth during deceptive times.

I. Understanding the Source of Deception

Pastor Caldwell defines deception as the act of convincing others of untrue information or tricking them into accepting the invalid as valid [01:29].

• The Origin: According to John 8:44, deception originates from Satan, whom Jesus describes as the "father of lies" [02:17].
• The Scope: The message highlights Revelation 12:9, noting that the "serpent of old" seeks to deceive the entire world [03:48].
• The Spiritual Blindness: The "God of this age" blinds the minds of those who do not believe, making them susceptible to the "spirit of the Antichrist" and the "mystery of iniquity" [06:52].

II. Three Keys to Overcoming Deception

To navigate a world where truth is increasingly polluted, Pastor Caldwell outlines three essential spiritual tools:

1. Knowing the Truth [09:37]
   • Referencing John 8:31-32, he emphasizes that freedom comes from abiding in the Word. While human knowledge can identify basic facts (like the color of a shirt), only the spiritual truth of Jesus Christ can set a person free from sin and the devil's dominion [11:49].
2. Being a Doer of the Word [12:53]
   • Based on James 1:22, the Pastor warns that merely hearing the truth without applying it leads to self-deception.
   • A heart void of the Word is described as "deceitful above all things" (Jeremiah 17:9), making active obedience the only way to keep the heart pure and slippery-free from sin [15:36].
3. Spiritual Discernment [17:03]
   • Beyond natural judgment, believers must seek the "Discerning of Spirits"—a gift from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10) [19:20].
   • Discernment allows a believer to perceive the character of people and the source of spiritual manifestations, especially when others may have "a form of godliness but deny its power" [20:10].

The Final Takeaway

The session culminates in a powerful exhortation as Pastor Caldwell urges believers to live out Romans 12:2 by actively renewing their minds. He underscores that this total mental shift is our ultimate safeguard; by testing and proving what is "good, acceptable, and perfect," Pastor Caldwell reminds us that we gain the spiritual clarity needed to navigate the last days and remain anchored in the perfect will of God [21:01].