Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Deception

Have you ever considered the topic of Deceit?

As Christians we all know being deceived is the last thing you want to happen to you. We have all seen others that were deceived and the path of destruction in their lives as they pursue something other than the Truth.

The problem is, when you are deceived...you don't know you are deceived...because you are...

Deceived.

It almost seems a deceived person is not responsible for what they do, if they don't realize what they are doing is wrong.

I know this may be a bit philosophical...

I am reminded of the Apostle Paul before his encounter with Jesus on the Road to Damascus. Paul was a Pharisee, a Religious Leader, filled with more Zeal for God than any other...

Yet, he was TOTALLY deceived into thinking that Jesus (the True Messiah and Son of God), was the leader of a false religion.

His deception caused him to pursue arresting and putting Christians to death.

Wow. 

So how do we as Believers keep ourselves from falling into Deception that leads us away from Christ?

Look at this scripture:

Proverbs 12:20 NLT - Deceit fills hearts that are plotting eviljoy fills hearts that are planning peace!

There is a clue here as to one way Deceit enters the heart...through the Plotting of Evil.

This often begins with Jealousy & Envy as we see another person doing well in life.

Here is a Serious Scripture in James to consider:

James 4:1-6 (NLT) - What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can't get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong-you want only what will give you pleasure. 
4 You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,

"God opposes the proud
    but gives grace to the humble."

He is writing this to Christians!

He answers the question: "How does a Christian get to the point of being murderous or adulterous?"

Obviously, one in this state has been greatly Deceived.

Here in these Last Days before the Lord's Return, this is a very serious issue. Scripture teaches clearly the Deceit of these Last Days and the hatred that will fill the hearts of men, causing some Christians to even fall away from the Truth.

Consider this final scripture:

Proverbs 6:12-15 NLT- What are worthless and wicked people like?

They are constant liars, 13 signaling their deceit with a wink of the eye, a nudge of the foot, or the wiggle of fingers. 14 Their perverted hearts plot evil, and they constantly stir up trouble. 15 But they will be destroyed suddenly, broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing.

Serious Stuff!

However, we need not fear if we continue to pursue Jesus and Love Him with all our Hearts, Minds, and Strength! And Love our Neighbor as ourselves!

Lord, we Humble ourselves before You today. We choose to rejoice when others are blessed by You. We thank You for Loving us and caring for us. We pray You make us effective in Your Kingdom as we reflect your Love to others.

Amen!


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