Monday, August 23: Are you being deceived?

Paraphrasing another saying, American author Carolyn Wells said, “Actions lie louder than words.” Certainly, lying is a part of our condition and our culture. We tell our children all about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, knowing that down the road, they will discover the truth, and then will pass on the lie when they have children. We think of that as a harmless lie, sometimes referred to as a white lie. On the surface, some lies do appear to be harmless, but in actuality, all lies cause harm. Though God tells us in His commandments that lying is a sin, we all find ourselves trapped in perpetuating many of the lies in our lives.


When Satan was cast out of heaven, before Adam and Eve had children, he had become the great deceiver, spinning his tales to serve his own purposes. By taking a small part of the truth that God had spoken to Adam, Satan twisted the words to confuse Eve. Yet Eve would not have taken the advice of the slimy serpent without her own problematic desire to “be like God.” Satan appealed to her pride in his plan to trip her up. That should not be a surprise to any of us, as he continues to use that ruse with each of us. Yet we know that Jesus not only speaks truth, but is the truth!


Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6


The great deceiver operates against the truth of Jesus. We cannot be deceived unless we are led away from the truth unknowingly, otherwise it would be a choice rather than deception. Logic reveals that there is no one being deceived who believes they are being deceived. All of us are subject to deception, but as Christians, our protection remains as long as we are relying on the power of God, rather than operating under our own prideful power supply. Once again, the same issue that tripped up Satan makes us stumble. If we have desires for power, notoriety, or money –- basically, the trappings of the world – then we also have the potential to be fooled. Satan preys on human weakness, and he has spent all of man’s history practicing his craft. Though the old adage says that “practice makes perfect,” Satan never will be perfect, though he certainly is powerful. Yet, God, who dwells in us, is much greater than any of the beings He created!


There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 14:12


There are few people who choose the wrong path, knowing that it leads to destruction. But when we put emphasis on our own intelligence, rather than relying on God’s omniscience, we have entered the wide gate.


13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Matthew 7:13-14


When Jesus was teaching His disciples about the latter days, referring to the end times, he warned of false christs and false prophets, members of Satan’s army.


For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Matthew 24:24

Is it possible to deceive the elect? When Jesus walked the earth as a man, He performed miracles. In the form of the antichrist, Satan will attempt to copy the miracles of Jesus. Those miracles will cause many to follow, yet the elect should know His Word, and His prophetic warning of not allowing those signs and wonders to amaze and deceive them. The word “elect” in the Bible refers to two separate groups, the children of Israel and the church. When Jesus is speaking to His disciples, the context of the verses seems to relate to the Jews. Yet it is apparent from the verse that God will not allow His followers to be deceived at this time.


Don’t let your actions and your life lead others astray. We can be seed planters or seed waterers, but our greatest calling is to love others by speaking truth. Jesus is the truth that will set us free! Without knowing Jesus, you are being deceived! Yet even as Christians, we can lose sight of what God wants us to do, by choosing to do what “seems right.” One key is not to allow the praises of men to become spiritual barometers in our lives. Measure yourself against God’s Word, not public or private opinion or approval!


It is not good to eat much honey;
So to seek one’s own glory is not glory.
Proverbs 25:27