Deception

Church history is often divided into Ancient, Medieval, and Modern periods, with the Modern period shaped by Reformation, Revolution, and Revival. Against that historical backdrop, this message examines a present spiritual danger: the power of technology and media to distort information, capture attention, and weaken discernment. As believers consider differing views about the end times, our responsibility is not to predict every detail but to remain alert, grounded in Scripture, and attentive to the forces shaping our minds.

That concern leads to today’s message: spiritual deception through technology and the blinding of human minds. Over the past decade, profound disagreements about sexuality, gender, abortion, drug policy, and other moral questions have intensified across society. From a Biblical perspective, these debates reveal a widening conflict over truth, identity, and the authority of God’s Word. In prayer, it was laid upon my heart that these controversies are connected to a larger pattern of manipulation that can mislead society while believers remain unaware of how their attention and convictions are shaped.

I want to start with a deceptive practice we are seeing more often, and it is the misrepresentation of information shared through the varying facets of media.  A recent example occurred this past September of 2026 with a news story outlining an incident on American Airlines flight 618 from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark.  The report described an incident where a passenger on the flight attacked another passenger, and the attacker was restrained and duct taped to the seat.  First, I want to compliment those who jumped in and restrained the attacker.  As Americans and especially believers, we need to stand up and not ignore incidents as they occur, when able, we should get involved and be the difference God has called us to be.  I say this but please use discernment of the Holy Spirit and do not put yourself in harms way but do be mindful of your surroundings and be the difference where possible.      

What I find interesting about the news article mentioned above is the one-sided narrative of the information provided through secular media.  Secular media highlighted and interviewed the individual who did the attacking, but not once did they ever interview or even announce who was attacked.  The individual attacked was Jonathan Cahn, a well known and respected Christian author and speaker.  Jonathan has sold millions of books and is known worldwide.  This is where I see fallacy and manipulation.  If the individual being attacked was a movie star, even a “B” rated Hollywood actor, it would have been all over the news.  Not only would it have been on the news, but they would have been interviewed, and the story would have been about the victim, not the attacker.  Honestly, they would have probably even signed them for a movie deal!  However, even though Jonathan is well known around the world, I believe since he is a Christian author and speaker, he was never interviewed within secular news reporting or his name even brought up.  This slanted reporting and the media’s use of technology to manipulate information is becoming increasingly common and a distraction from the truth for unwary believers. 

As believers, we have a responsibility to remain involved, alert, and spiritually discerning.  First Peter 5:8 warns, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Social media and technology can consume attention with nonessential concerns while evil influences enter our families, schools, communities, and city governments. The immediate danger is not technology itself, but believer’s lack of awareness for the evil spiritual intent that is narrating what is or is not reported or distracting those within its influence. The examples that follow show how manipulation can redirect attention, distort judgment, and contribute to destruction.

Returning to the Jonathan Cahn story, Jonathan stated on his YouTube channel that he and the man who later attacked him had initially been getting along so well that a flight attendant thought they were friends.  It wasn’t until they began talking about Jonathan’s latest book, “The Alter of Pergamon” the individual went into a demonic state and started to attack him.  It is within this book that Jonathan traces the existence of The Alter of Pergamon back to Ancient Greece as the The Alter of Zeus with its origin being noted as satan’s throne within Revelation 2:13. This alter was buried until the late 1800’s when it was excavated in present day Turkey.  Soon after its discovery, Jonathan writes about the alters transport to Berlin, Germany with influence on World War I, the rise of the Nazi party and World War II, communism within the Soviet Union and the Cold War.  As Jonathan states, when this altar was dug up so were the evil spirits associated with it, unleashing evil in all areas it resides.

What I find interesting is the alter was excavated within Turkey which is also home to Mount Ararat where the remains of Noah’s Ark have been discovered.  As the alter of Pergamon has been and continues to be associated with evil, Noah’s Ark is the representation of a civilization including giants wiped out by God through the flood due to their physical and spiritual degradation.  Luke 17: 26-27 states, “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.”  As in the days of Noah, society has become preoccupied with the leisure and luxuries of everyday life while the evil one is quietly prowling around devouring the very elect.

Though it has not been discovered how, after the flood giants reappeared.  We can see evidence of their existence post flood in Numbers 13:3, Deuteronomy 2:10-11, Deuteronomy 3:11 and the most famous, Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:4.  The post flood giants I believe still exist, maybe not in physical form, but through an anti-christ spirit that works in society bringing confusion to identity, a lack of social and moral values and the misalignment between what is right and wrong.  One tool or resource being utilized by this evil spirit to deceive is the misrepresentation of information through the multiple facets of media.  In modern world media outlets, whether it is social media, television stations or subscribed channels, this narrowing provision of information is slowly becoming societies single source of communication.  Interesting enough, as in the days of Noah, don’t we refer to technology companies that have grown to a large size as “Technology Giants”?  Is it coincidental that we refer to one of the deceptive tools used by the evil one a giant?  Giants prior to the flood were part of the corruption of society and a partial reason for the flood. These giants were known for their evil ways and rebellion against God and mankind.  I have to ask, is that not what we are seeing in society today, rebellion against God with an unadulterated contempt for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? 

In our walk with the LORD, we are called to be the light and the difference.  I am not stating to get rid of technology or to not use it.  On the contrary, I use artificial intelligence, technology and search engines often and to be transparent I used Google Search to look up several articles for this blog.  What I am encouraging is that in your stewardship of your God created gifts of time and talents, be alert and sober minded.  At all times you should be aware that through the influence of technology there could be an evil intent meant to manipulate a person’s principles away from the foundation of God’s Word, the Holy Bible.  This deceptive practice if allowed, can lead to a state of mind numbing scrolling that renders a believer menial in their ministry deceiving those God has called to be over comers and world changers!

Ephesians 6:12 states, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  In our current times of manipulation and evil intent, it is vital we stay in prayer and meditate upon God’s Word day and night.  The devil is prowling around to see whom he can devour and Matthew 24:24 states, “For false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”  You are the elect and “if possible”, the devil desires to deceive and distort God’s Word disrupting God’s plan for your life.  It is only in your relationship with God through our Savior Jesus Christ that under the Blood covering you are sanctified; one made whole and lifted up! 

There is a push through the evil of dark forces to disrupt God’s children and bring destruction to individuals, families, communities and nations.  Prior to and after the flood one aspect has been through fallen angels and literal giants.  In today’s society I believe one way is through the addictive practices of our everyday conveniences and use of technology and social media.  Again, I am not saying to ban the vital resources used in our everyday lives, but I am encouraging you to be mindful of the hidden spirit of manipulation that could be influencing many of the conveniences we take for granted.  Within your daily walk don’t allow technology to manage you or your time, instead through God’s discernment and strength, live as we have been called from the very beginning, “…fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28) 

When you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, you were made new in God’s image with a transformed heart and renewed mind.  It is within this sanctification, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are not only able to subdue the things of this world but have been given authority over the things of this earth!  Knowing you are the light and a world changer, I encourage you to live in His full abundance and prosperity of Word and Deed! 

Be blessed and alert my fellow warriors for Christ and may your heart be filled with God’s discernment, your soul with His measure of faith and your walk anointed and highly favored in all you do and speak!

Shalom!!