Are You Deceived?
Hey Friends,
We have been talking about spiritual warfare and the importance of our being ready. If you are a leader, then this topic is even more germane to you. We have talked about the devil and one of the names the Bible calls him is a deceiver. In 2 Cor. 11:14-15 it says, ”No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness…”
Satan can enter undetected as he is an impostor and a deceiver. Every lie we believe has the father of lies as its foundation . Even though God warns us so many times, we are seemingly so easily seduced. God warns us from Genesis to the Revelation. In Ephesians 5:6, He warns us not to be deceived! The only way not to be deceived by the deceiver is to know the truth. That requires us to get into His Word daily. It is not easy but the payoff is well worth it.
As leaders in the Kingdom we must be ready to swing the Sword of the Spirit. I watch so many in church who are defeated and discouraged. This is not the life the Lord wants us to live, but the deceiver will twist the Word and make us miss God’s best. As leaders we must blaze the trail for others to follow.
I hope you walk in victory bought for us by the Lord. Do not be deceived and you can win. In the war that rages we have the tools to win!
Yours to count on,
Pastor
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Coming out of the gate, I will confess that I have fallen prey to deception. It was a combination of both my flesh nature and the whiles of the devil that caused it.
Yes, it is true if we know the Truth as Holy Spirit speaks, we are kept safe and it is a daily, all day long, and when we go to sleep prayer for clarity and protection. Pleading the Blood over our mind in order for it to stay adhered. Renewing second by second.
I was once one of those who lived my life with a victom mentality and by lack of knowledge, of the tried and true kind, struggled and fell. I wouldn’t readily admit defeat and discouragement but instead tried in my own power to overcome. As I write, I hear two scripturs: 1) Rev.12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death. And 2)Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is The Word of The Lord unto Zarubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, sayeth the Lord of hosts.
What I see is that I am sandwiched between Jesus’ blood and God’s wise power!
The word of my testimony is comprised by His Word, I tell you the truth. It is what now fills me in the aftermath and what I now have been made to be: A vessel of Honour, His Honour.
If you will all be kind enough to grant me your patience I would like to share the jewels of gleening,that are my heavenly treasure that no one can take from me, in my bout with deception. For truly Jesus is The Redeemer. A curious note: Look up Redeemer in Webster’s.
This portion of my sojourning began in SS 1:4 with the word glad. Strong’s # 1528-giyr which corresponds to # 1615 and simply means lime. However 1615-gir means lime (from being burned in a kiln).This word is perhaps from 3564-kuwr and it is from an unused root and means properly to dig through; a pot or furnace(as if excavated). Reading further in SS 1:4, it says we will remember His Love more than wine. Now, if you can see with me the prophetic nature of this statement,although I didn’t know it at the time. All I knew was that something was beginning to stir deep within me but I didn’t know what. The word wine is Strongs#3196 yayin among other meanings means to effervesce. This is what was the beginning of things I took note of at Holy Spirits request. But because of the war between flesh and spirit, my flesh wasn’t going to just sit idly by and allow my spirit man to grow unabated. So it rose up and through respect of man began to actively pursue setting up an idol in my heart. I was however not altogether cognizant of it but there were warnings but I was not detered…Yet.
Making a long story, kind-of short..Sorry, I was made to understand those warnings by being excavated, dug through, and burned in God’s kiln of the refining fire. Although I thought it would destroy me and my family Jesus reminded me that I would Love Him more than wine…more than anything I would endure or be subjected too! He is Love, yes, He is.
If we ever find ourselves waking up from the darkness that is deception and but turn and look to the Author and Finisher of our faith..Jesus, He will teach you everlasting truth that will not be shaken. For the benifit of others as well as your own self. It is how warriors, ministers, etc. are born and walk. It is accredited as righteous and Holy.
Romans 9 speaks of the Potter and the clay and of saving His beloved. Also of His Sovereignty, His irresistable Will, His unsurpassed Mercy and Love toward those who BELIEVE. And allures to the knowledge and understanding that there are none who can rebel against Him. It was His mercy that allowed me to walk through the furnace and it was His mercy that purified me from what sought to destroy my soul. I praise Him for my troubles because now I truly see. Now I know I am His beloved, His daughter and I trust Him in a way I could never have before. I believe it was a necessary process for my growth. My prayer for those who hear this testimony given by Him, will be detered from that path, because believe me when I say it was not pleasant.That is the centuries understatement, for truly there are no words for the anguish.
Jesus came to save THAT which was lost. “THAT” is our relationship to walk with God in the garden and for me this is how it was that I was saved. I opposed myself and the devil seized his opportunity. But Jesus caused me to wait in faith, hope, love and fear of Him above man, as Elijah, and see that God is not in the wind, earthquake, or fire but that He is in the still(Ps 23) small voice of His Holy Spirit speaking the Truth of His Holy Word in me.He does this for all of His children so if any good comes from my testimony; let it be to instruct others so they learn without falling.
I now hold The Sword forth by His grace and also by that same grace can see clearly to rightly divide the Word for good(2Tim,2:11-26). Because God the Trinity, performed what was necessary on the Potter’s wheel for my life.
Hebrews 4:12-16 For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a Great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Amen.
So maybe I am not a freak if I think watching and reading Harry Potter, Wicked, and Twilight is part of a “home invasion?”
Just a thought: I have heard that financial institutions and law enforcement agencies use an interesting approach to identify counterfeit money…they only study the real version. They learn everything they possibly can about the real: how it looks, how it smells, how it feels, what happens to it under certain circumstances and settings, what are its distinguishing characteristics and so forth…I find it interesting that many in the church are led astray by so many counterfeit versions of everything God has created (salvation, abundant life, marriage, relationships, success, peace, love, etc) because they never knew what the real version looked like…they only exposed themselves to the counterfeit…just a thought…
cl
Good insight, Clay. Makes a lot of sense to look at it that way. I think we should take that approach with the Bible — study it so vividly that we know the enemy when it shows. I’m really enjoying this path of education regarding this topic.
Deception has proven to be an effictive weapon of the enemy and I belive the battle begins in the mind. If we truly knew we were FREE in Christ we would better be able to identify the deceptions the enemy comes against us with.
Why should I say I can’t when the Bilble says,”I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me”
Phil 4:13
Why should I fear when the Bible says that,”God did not give (me) a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and self-discipline” 2 Timothy 1:7
Why should I ever be in bondage, for”…where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty” 2 Cor 3:17 and it was for freedom that Christ set me free” Gal 5:1
If we understand our true ideninty is in Christ then we know how to engage with the enemy and dismiss the lies.
Our identity is in Christ:
I hsave been raised up and seated with Christ in heaven. Eph 2:18
I have been rescued from the dark power of Satan’s rule and have been brought into the Kingdom of Christ.
Col 1:13
I am God’s posseession, chosen and secure in Him (sealed). I have been given the Holy Spirit as a promise of my inheritance to come. (2 Co 1:21-22; Eph 1:13-14
When I study who I am in Christ it is so easy to spot the enemy and I am reminded that in Christ I have authority and power over Satan. Luke 9:1-2
Eric, thank you for speaking truth to who Jesus says we are and what we possess because of His unsearchable depth of Love for those who rely on Him.
It is needed today.
s