Yes. We are told that the Spirit of Anti-Christ is already at work in the world. This spiritual force seeks to replace Jesus Christ. If we can be deceived into being influenced by the Spirit that is against Jesus, Satan has turned those who seek to be followers of God into enemies of God.
While it seems this would be evident to all and easily avoided, our studies of history should reveal otherwise. Adam and Eve were no fools, in that Adam named all the animals and they walked with God. Yet even these who lived in paradise were subject to the deception of the evil one.
Satan still comes and offers to us the “good” if we will only do things his way. Like the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness we too must face the evil one and resist any pathways that are not of God. In a culture that is so driven to succeed, promoting ambition and honoring of independence; we should take note.
The way to defeat the spirit of anti-Christ is not self-promotion or success, it is the way of the cross. Jesus shows us the way in that He did not choose a different path, but the path of humility, death and sacrifice. Jesus was obedient and not driven.
In every area of our lives that we do not embrace humility, sacrifice, honoring others more than ourselves, we also hold open a door to deception. Yet as is the case with deception, we do not know we are being deceived. So the very one who lives to themselves is also avoiding the power of the cross through others. This power in others is the very think that could redeem them.
While it is not a pleasant thing to think of Satan’s power to replace Jesus Christ as our Lord, we must be aware of this scheme. The remedy is humility, brotherhood and love. Those who desire to find their life loose it and those willing to lose their life – find life eternal.
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