When story after story of how bank account holders were scammed first emerged in the news, their predicament pained me. Some hapless scam victims lost their life savings in the process, while others were left high and dry after scammers emptied almost 470 bank accounts of at least $8.5 million.

The scammers had impersonated a local bank and sent spoofed text messages to the account holders, conning them into disclosing their login details on phishing websites. This allowed the scammers to access the victims’ real bank accounts and transfer money out from them.

Fortunately, there has been some reprieve: this week, the bank announced that it would give a “goodwill” payout to the scam victims.

Still, the saga has put many people in Singapore on alert. I sympathise with the victims because I, too, might have fallen for the scams if I had let my guard down, even for a few seconds.

The scams also remind me of how the early Christians were similarly susceptible to deception—in their case, by false teachers who taught misleading messages that bore semblance to the gospel truth.

Just as there are several things we can do to avoid falling victim to the phishing scams, the Bible shows believers how we can guard against false teachings as well.

1. Go back to the source

Reading about the phishing scams and how they succeeded, I now know I need to use banks’ official apps or go to the bank websites directly—instead of clicking on seemingly convenient links in text messages—so that I can access the authentic websites, and not fake ones.

In other words, we need to go back to the original source for the real deal.

This practical tip reminds me that whenever I hear a spiritual message that seems different from the biblical teaching that I have been taught, I need to check it against the Bible itself.

The Bereans, as described in Acts 17:11, offer an inspiring example. Even though they were most eager to hear the gospel message from Paul, they made sure to examine the Scriptures to check if what the apostle said was true or not. They didn’t just take it from him and assume he was being truthful.

Indeed, an intimate understanding of God’s Word enables us to pick up misleading “truths” and contradictions, and spot teachings that are false. This is especially important when the teachings are attractive and appeal to our flesh, as Peter warned against in 2 Peter 2:18.

I’ve often heard that trained bank tellers are so familiar with the look and feel of real currency notes that they can quickly recognise counterfeit money. It is a good reminder that if I spend more time in God’s Word and know it well, and allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate my mind, I will be better able to recognise false teaching.

2. Check with trusted individuals

I’ve sometimes wondered about some of the “official” text messages I’ve received: Is this real, or is it a scam? Who would know? Whom can I ask? One advice that banks have given is to check with their hotlines directly.

Similarly, we can check with trusted church leaders when suspicious teachings reach our ears.

Mature Christians who know biblical truth well and “by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14) have sharpened their judgment to discern and distinguish what is good or bad teaching, and can be a good resource.

Reading the Old and New Testaments, I’ve noticed many examples of how God’s followers looked to spiritual leaders and elders for wisdom and guidance, knowing that these leaders were ultimately appointed by God to shepherd and teach them (1 Peter 5:2).

Meanwhile, the elders themselves were instructed to hold on to the truths that they themselves had been taught, encourage others by sound doctrine, and refute those who opposed godly truths (Titus 1:9).

3. Shield ourselves

Apart from being careful in how I respond to emails and text messages, I’ve also considered protecting my phone and laptop with security apps and digital tools that will detect unsolicited messages and calls, or prevent hackers from accessing my devices.

Perhaps the spiritual equivalent of such protection is guarding our doctrine and lives (1 Timothy 4:16). As Paul urges Timothy in a church plagued by false teaching: “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7).

I believe that godly living and serving one another in love, combined with time spent in God’s Word, will enable us to grow not just in faith and knowledge, but also in spiritual maturity. Then we will not be spiritual infants, “blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).

Thank God that He has not left us to our own defences against false teachings. He has granted us His Word and community to help us grow and guard against deception.

Lord, give me the wisdom to discern what is biblical and true in all that I see and hear, and may Your Holy Spirit help me hold on to the truth.

Author: Eliza Tan

Although Eliza Tan eats to live rather than lives to eat, she still enjoys her food and wholeheartedly agrees with Ecclesiastes 3:13, "That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God."

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