Can Christians be deceived

Christianity is much like physical birth, where in the beginning one has to be fed, cared for, protected. When proper care is lacking, things go wrong, and that is a matter of the consequence of sin in our lives.

The bottom line is people will not be eternally separated from God because they are not doctrinally flawless, but because they reject the will of God as revealed to them.

Scripture makes it clear that even believers can be deceived, I believe, and warns us to be diligent in our seeking after God. We keep in mind that how we have trained ourselves in our former lives is not immediately eradicated when we are born again, so we still deal with the consequences of sin in our flesh. That is why we should seek to edify the Body in any way we can, to encourage our brethren that they might grow. And just like they say, "The best way to learn is to teach," even so, the best way to grow is to help others grow.

God has given us the provision for the care we need as babes in Christ, and demanded of the leadership to do their duty in this regard. That doesn't mean that new believers can't be led astray on essential doctrines which impact their walk. Some will be saved in fellowships of questionable doctrine, and I believe that God will lead many to depart from those fellowships based on doctrine alone. He is our Teacher, and our Father. He demands we train up our children in the way they should go, so we understand that our Heavenly Father is not going to expect something from us that is not first exampled in Himself. That does not mean a child will not at times rebel, fail, make mistakes, and be in need of correction. This is not a reflection on the Father, it is a reflection on the child.


God bless.