Thought for Saturday, February 9th

February 9, 2013

Don’t Be Deceived

Is there any such thing as a perfect lie?

But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

2 Corinthians 11:12-15

“The devil is a better theologian than any of us and a devil still.”

-       A. W. Tozer

No one likes to be deceived.  But God warns us that we need to be careful:

And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.  But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls. And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.  Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.  And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Luke 21:8-28

The Devil, Satan, is the Father of lies and though he is very good at what He does: God is better and greater.

We need to be careful that we don’t fall into that trap of desiring to hear soft and pleasing words that make us feel good: rather than listening to the sharp words that the Sword of the Lord [the Bible] offers that will equip and prepare us for these times that will try our souls.

Remember God is not mocked and He is the rewarder of those who diligently and faithfully seek Him: so don’t be deceived into settling for anything less than His best for you; even if His best, His will and His word can sometimes hurt, be painful and require sacrifice and commitment from us.

Today’s Prayer

Father, sometimes the devil tries to wrap up his deceptions in religious packages: help me to be discerning, diligent and committed to your truth and your way and keep me from the comfort of yielding to the seeming temporary pleasures of deception.