Monday, June 24, 2024
Deception is insidious and harmful, mentally and spiritually. Through the hard work of discovery, I found that the gradual and subtle ways of deception are the most difficult to recognize in ourselves. It’s only through recognition, awareness, and understanding that we begin the work of healing from its effects.
For example, I easily love people with different opinions and lifestyles than mine, yet I have found myself abandoning some of my values during conversations with them. Immersion in the Word of God has shown me that when I feel the pressure to move away from what the Bible teaches, I am deceiving them about who God is. As difficult as these conversations can be, it’s our mission to share God’s truth with others. I am reminded it’s not about doing anything through my strength, it’s about doing everything through his and acknowledging his power.
Jeremiah 9:6 NIV
“You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,” declares the Lord.
The book of Acts includes the story of Annanias and Sapphira, a couple involved in the early church who also refused to acknowledge God in their actions. Annanias and Sapphira decided to sell some of their property and donate the money to the church. They were under no obligation to give all of the money, so they kept a little for themselves. However, Annanias and Sapphira intentionally deceived the church leaders, choosing to lie and pretend they had given the full amount.
Acts 5:3-4
3 Then Peter said, “Annanias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
When we operate from a place of deception, we are not giving God the reverence, awe, trust, and obedience he deserves. We are called to remain true to the values we’ve learned from the way Jesus lived his life. The truth plants seeds of the Gospel in the hearts and minds of the people we interact with.
Deception moves us toward imprisonment and death, while truth leads us to freedom and life.
Questions:
Do you deceive yourself and others in obvious or subtle ways? What are the ways in which you do this? What tends to be the motivation behind the deception?
Next Steps:
Find the Biblical instruction/value you compromise with each of the ways you have admitted to yourself that you practice deception. For example, if you struggle with lying, consider Proverbs 12:22 or Proverbs 14:8.
Confess these sins to your Father God and repent (turn away from them and toward God). Ask God to help you live in his strength as you move forward without deception in your life.
Prayer:
Father, I confess my sins of deception and turn in agreement with you in their regard. Thank you for your forgiveness. Help me to move forward in my life through your strength, trusting you to help me be my authentic self and knowing that you love me as I am. Give me the words to say when I need to say anything at all. Let me know which actions to take as you work through me to spread the Gospel. Help me to lovingly connect with others through the guidance and discernment of your most Holy Spirit. May I be a loving example of the light and love of your Son, Jesus Christ, to all whom you send into my life. I pray in your Son’s most holy name, amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Psalm 37:3-4
3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
This post was written by Linda Repka, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.