Dr. Mark Williams’ Journey Through Deceived!: Reflections on Faith and Evangelicalism

Writing Deceived! It was more than academic it was highly privateThe Toxic Fruit of It. It emerged from years of my own wrestling with my faith, examining the state of the church and searching for God’s truth amid the confusion of so many spiritual voices. In light of that journey which involved a fair amount of questioning, conviction, and finally returning to a commitment to the genuine gospel of Jesus Christ, this book outlines my observations.

A Personal Awakening
Raised in the church, I was taught to honor evangelicalism’s guiding principles: biblical authority, personal salvation and evangelism. These pillars directed my faith and understanding of God. But over the years, I began noticing a troubling disconnect between the gospel I found in Scripture and the version of Christianity preached and lived out around me.

The sermons often felt shallow, focused more on personal success than on the call to repentance. The worship services became performances, designed to entertain rather than to glorify God. And the emphasis on growth and numbers seemed to outweigh the call to holiness and discipleship. I realized that what I was witnessing was not the pure fruit of the gospel but something tainted—a poisoned fruit, born out of compromise and cultural conformity.

The Crisis of Faith
There were moments in my journey when I felt disillusioned. How could the faith that I held so dear become so distorted? How could a movement that claimed to champion God’s Word stray so far from it? These questions led me to Scripture, where I found both clarity and conviction.

This act reminded me of Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7:15-20 about false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves. He said, “You will know them by their fruits.” The fruit of much contemporary evangelicalism did not reflect the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Instead it usually reflected pride, greed, division and a love for worldly success.

The Writing of Deceived!: A Journey of Discovery
Writing Deceived! was my way of processing these revelations and offering a warning to others. The process forced me to confront difficult truths—not just about the church, but about myself. I had to ask: Where have I been complicit in this deception? How have I allowed my own faith to be influenced by the poisoned fruit?

Through prayer, study, and meditation, I began to see a way forward. The answer is not to leave the church, but to return to the church for the gospel. Return to the unchanging truth of God’s Word. Reject values ​​that weaken our testimony and embrace a message that is contrary to the character of Jesus Christ.

Lessons Learned Along the Way
Faith Must Be Rooted in Scripture
The Bible is our ultimate authority. When we stray from its teachings, we open the door to deception. My journey reminded me of the importance of daily immersing myself in God’s Word.

True Fruit Takes Time to Cultivate
The poisoned fruit of evangelicalism often promises quick results—instant success, immediate gratification, and easy spirituality. But true spiritual growth is a lifelong process, marked by humility, sacrifice, and perseverance.

The Gospel Is Sufficient
We don’t need to add anything to the gospel to make it appealing or relevant. Its power lies in its simplicity and truth: that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day.

Repentance Is the Starting Point
For the church to detox from its poisoned fruit, it must begin with repentance. This includes both individual believers and corporate communities acknowledging where we’ve strayed and seeking God’s forgiveness.

A Renewed Commitment to Faith
My journey through the deceived! It has left me with a new conviction about my faith and calling. I know more clearly than ever that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to combat the poison that has entered the church.

Brothers, I urge you: Do not be deceived. Test all things in the truth of God’s Word. Seek the fruit of abiding in Christ, not the counterfeit fruit that the world offers. –