The Best LIES Contain Bits of Truth – Why Some Christian Churches have Deceived Many

Posted November 14, 2025 | End Times Watch | River Wilde

(I’m sorry for all of the posts today. I feel that time is running out. I’m going to post them as fast as I can write.)

As I continue to study the writings of the Bible each day, I am able to see satan’s plan of deception unfold.

I have always seen the following scripture as an event that was forthcoming, not actually happening in my own life’s experience:

Matthew 24:24 (KJV)

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

So, as I have slid into the “sunset age” of life, I am still alarmed and disappointed that I have been spiritually deceived for the majority of my life, in understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How could I have been so deceived? The above scripture gives me some insight into the answer.

A Brief Cautionary Tale Told by the Deceiver

(This would be his plan to lead people away from the Savior)

If I were the Adversary, I would not stride into the world in smoke and thunder. No—subtlety is my greatest ally.

I would begin by whispering, not shouting. A nudge here, a question there. “Does truth really matter, as long as it feels right?” I would dress confusion in the clothing of compassion and wrap pride in the language of enlightenment.

I would not destroy religion; I would use it.

I’d inspire teachers who speak honey but serve poison. I’d encourage believers to trade humility for certainty, love for superiority, worship for performance. I would turn sacred texts into weapons and sacred communities into battlegrounds.

Miracles? I wouldn’t need them. I’d only need to convince people that their own desires are divine instructions, and they’d follow me without ever knowing it.

And the “elect”? I wouldn’t attack their faith; I’d magnify it until it warped. I’d let them believe they could not be deceived. Confidence would do the work for me. Once they trusted their own discernment more than the truth they professed, the path downward would feel like upward.

My greatest victory would be simple:
They would believe they were following the light—while walking deeper into my shadow.

                        ____________  _____________  ____________

Let me explain this evil strategy in detail.

The CORNERSTONE of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is His Atoning Sacrifice. Because of this, all mankind can be saved through what HE has done. This would be “Target Number One” for the advisory. To belittle this precious gift that He has given to the world.

After the death of the apostles, satan went to work on this principle. Early churches, and some today, taught that what Christ did on the cross was not enough. It required WORKS from the part of the person to make this atonement valid.

Their teaching:

 “It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”

This must be highly insulting to God, for mankind has nothing to do with the power of the atonement. Christ even preached this very concept. Let’s learn more about this.

Ephesians 2:8–9

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

• This is the clearest and most often cited verse.
• Salvation is a gift, not something we earn by human effort.

Titus 3:5

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

• Emphasizes that salvation comes from God’s mercy.
• Human righteousness or good deeds do not earn salvation.

Romans 3:28

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

• Paul teaches that justification (being made right with God) is through faith, independent of following the law perfectly.

Romans 11:6

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

• Paul explains a logical truth: if salvation were earned, it wouldn’t be grace.
• Grace and works are mutually exclusive in salvation.

Galatians 2:16

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

• Salvation comes through faith in Christ, not by law-keeping or human effort.

Most Christian churches teach the atonement, (there is the truth), but then attach the importance of our works for salvation, (there is the lie).

The adversary’s strategy is to lure you in with the truth, while leading you AWAY from Jesus Christ with the lie. To see salvation as earned through your own efforts first, then the atoning power comes to be. He is chipping away of the power of the atonement that was His work ALONE. His power is diminished by having you believe that you have the bulk of this responsibility to make forgiveness happen.

Overall, there were some truths that my religion taught, but looking back now, the MAJORITY of concepts were nothing more than a LIE. What kept me from seeing this correct picture then was because of another principle as taught be the advisory… Control and Power.

Faith Placed in Men Rather Than God

When a church emphasizes obedience to its leaders or institutional rules over personal devotion to Jesus Christ, people can begin to trust men instead of God.

• Matthew 23:8-10 — “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. … for one is your Master, even Christ.”

This warns against elevating leaders above Christ Himself.

Some churches maintain control through guilt, fear, or shame (AMEN). This can create a religion of human authority rather than a relationship with Jesus.

• John 14:15 — “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

Love for Christ should flow from grace and faith, not fear of man.

Traditions Above Scripture

Churches can create traditions or doctrines that overshadow the plain words of Scripture. When rituals, tithing rules, or hierarchical authority become the measure of righteousness, Christ can be obscured.

• Mark 7:7-8 — “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. … Ye leave the commandment of God, and hold the tradition of men.”

Diminishing Personal Revelation

Institutions sometimes discourage personal study outside the church’s doctrine, questioning doctrine, or direct guidance from God, (Trusting the prophet over personal revelation). This leaves members dependent on church leaders rather than seeking Christ for themselves.

• Acts 17:11 — “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

The Bereans’ example shows that personal engagement with Scripture keeps us anchored in Christ.

When control, power, or human rules replace the authority of Christ in our hearts, a church—even unintentionally—can become a barrier to salvation by grace. KJV Scripture consistently points to a personal relationship with Jesus as the only sure path to eternal life.

Deception came into my life through my church, and the chains that held me were due to the control they cast upon me. It was THEM that determined my worthiness; it was THEM that would grant forgiveness for my sins; It was THEM who controlled my exposure to the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the bible; It was THEM who belittled me when questioning church authority of doctrine…I wasn’t worthy enough; I did not display proper faith;

It was redirected back to my weakness, yet no accountability from the church even when the lies were so obvious, and glaring. This to me was the information that I needed to begin to unwind the incorrect gospel that I had been taught…For Which I am So Grateful!

The “Church of Christ” KJV

Jesus did not establish a church in the modern institutional sense; instead, He taught about God’s Kingdom and called people to repentance, faith, and obedience.

Here’s a breakdown based on the KJV:

Jesus’ focus was on God’s Kingdom, not a human institution:

• Matthew 4:17: “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
  • His ministry emphasized turning to God, not joining an organized church.

The “church” in the New Testament sense comes later:

• The Greek word for church is ekklesia, meaning “called out ones.”
  • Matthew 16:18: “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
    • Here, Jesus speaks of a church built on faith in Him, not a denominational structure.

The early church after Jesus’ resurrection:

• The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, gathered believers:
  • Acts 2:42: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
  • The early church was centered on Christ, His teachings, and communal faith, not buildings or hierarchy.

Salvation is through faith in Christ, not membership in a human church:

• Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

In short: The church that Jesus taught was not a denominational organization but a body of believers called out by God, united in faith, obedience, and love for Christ, centered on His teachings and the Kingdom of God.

Sadly, churches have defiled the teachings of Christ and used HIM for their financial gain. Look at a church or a pastor’s financial picture and this will confirm my very statement.

Let me share God’s teachings with you regarding this matter:

A church or religious leaders who hoard finances rather than using them to serve the poor, the needy, or the work of God are warned repeatedly in Scripture. Here are some key passages:

1. Hoarding and oppression condemned
   1. James 5:1-3:

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

→ God warns that accumulating wealth for selfish gain, especially from others, leads to judgment. Oh my… Now who’s in trouble? =)

• Accountability for stewardship
  • Luke 12:15-21 (Parable of the Rich Fool):

Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth… So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

→ Wealth hoarded without serving God or others is spiritually worthless and perilous.

• Exploitation and withholding aid
  • Isaiah 58:6-10:

Is not this the fast that I have chosen… to undo the heavy burdens, and let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? … Then shall thy light break forth as the morning…

→ God calls His people to use resources to bless others, not oppress or hoard.

• Condemnation of unrighteous leaders
  • Ezekiel 34:2-10:

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel… Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.

→ Leaders who exploit the flock for personal gain are condemned by God.

The KJV makes it clear that when a church hoards finances, God sees it as sin. He warns of judgment, corruption, and loss of true spiritual blessing. Wealth is meant to be used to glorify God, help the needy, and build His kingdom—not to line pockets or control others.

I find great comfort in the following scripture. Deception in the last days will be widespread but ultimately revealed.

Luke 12:2, “There is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed,”

I have watched intently over the past year how the church is coming undone. Their deceptions can only be unexposed for so long, until the Light of Christ shines upon their “incorrect” teachings. Salvation through works; Worldly temple ordinances taught to lead people to believe untruths about the nature of God, and our relationship with Jesus Christ in eternity; Being burned at His coming if your tithing is not up to date; Placing Gods redeeming power in the hands of church leadership rather than fully in Jesus Christ; Pologamy in heaven (are you kidding me?); Being JUDGED and Punished for our works rather than receiving rewarding crowns for those who have accepted Jesus Christ into their, and receiving His invitation to join Him in the Heaven that He will create for us.

If you do not know the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the bible, I invite you to learn the truth of what He taught.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 (KJV):
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

The KJV teaches that in the last days, deception will be widespread—through false prophets, false signs, and worldly corruption—but God’s truth will ultimately expose it. Believers are warned to remain vigilant, discerning, and rooted in His Word.