Bait and Switch. You heard the phrase, but what does it mean? Webster defines the phrase as “the ploy of offering a person something desirable to gain favor (such as political support) then thwarting expectations with something less desirable.” When you’re told one thing, but are delivered something else, you feel “used” or worse – “lied to.” It makes us skeptical of many things but especially of people selling you something, presenting new information or even introducing themselves.
I wish I wasn’t guarded, but I am. I’ve been burned in the past, so my first reaction is mistrust and suspicion. Obviously this can be seen in the marketplace, but it’s also found in “church world.” There are those who use biblical words to capture interest and gain a hearing but what they’re “selling” is false and disingenuous. They may use “trusted terms” like resurrection and salvation but they amount to nothing more than an enticement.
Here’s the idea to be remembered. Never buy into someone’s line just because they use terms you’re familiar with. Grow in the ability to discern. Philippians 1:9–10. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ
Ask God to help you discern whether or not what’s being said is really true. Then you won’t get hooked by false teachers who use the doctrinal bait-and-switch method to deceive.