Financial scams are an ever-increasing, worldwide problem. As one example, in 2023 alone it was reported that 2.6 million Americans were deceived by fraud, with losses totaling about ten billion dollars. To encourage caution, one reporter wrote, “Being aware of what is happening and knowing the red flags of scams … are the very best ways to put a successful end to this crime spree.”

The same is true spiritually, with even more serious matters at stake. First, we need to be aware of what is happening. The devil is a great deceiver. He is “that serpent of old … who deceives the whole world” (Rev. 12:9). Through his deception sin entered the world in the first place (1 Tim. 2:14), and since then many have circulated his falsehoods. Further, even as believers we remain susceptible to deception—and we might even deceive ourselves (cf. Gal. 6:3, 7). This knowledge is the first step to safety.

The second step is to recognize the red flags of spiritual scams. The devil’s original deception remains his most successful: attacking the reliability of God’s Word. Yet there is every reason to accept the Bible as trustworthy and true in every respect. Its external witnesses include historical and archaeological accuracies, along with thousands of manuscripts, which testify to its preservation through time. More importantly, its spiritual truths have transformed the lives of all who receive it in faith.

Other deceptions flourish as well. Some undermine either the full deity or the perfect humanity of Jesus Christ (2 Jn. 7). Some claim that the work of Christ was not enough, so we must contribute to our redemption (Tit. 1:10). Some redefine God’s morality and rejoice in corrupt behavior (2 Pet. 2:13; 1 Jn. 3:7).

Spiritual fraud is costly, but it can be detected. If we hear even a whisper of such things, we know the deceiver is near.