In the second half of Isaiah 28, God speaks through Isaiah to those Jews who mock Him with their claim that, because they are Abraham's children, they will escape judgment. These people were deceived.
Deception is one of the evil one's most powerful tools. I've encountered it repeatedly, in the lives of those I love the most. At times, I've been a victim. I'm not talking about making an error in judgment; we all make those, and then hopefully repent and are restored. I'm talking about the bondage of deep deception.
Look at verse 15 here. The deceived are speaking:
"For we have made a lie our refuge.
We have hidden ourselves in a deceitful word."
These folks have been seduced and led astray by a false teaching that originated, not from the word of God, but rather from the adversary of our faith, Satan. After being led astray, they did not seek to find the counter-argument, the truth, because the lie was what they wanted to hear. It "tickled their ears". As a result, they embraced the lie, camped out there, and remain there still, enslaved.
Jesus, in John 8:44, calls Satan the Father of Lies, and says that "the truth is not in him". All lies and deception are Satan's trademark. This deceiving of mankind began early, in the Garden of Eden, when he persuaded Eve and Adam to disobey God by eating the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Paul, fearful that this same deception evident in the Garden would afflict believers, issued this warning in 2 Corinthians 11:3 - -
"But, I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness,
your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ."
We must be on guard for this because, yes, Satan's deceptions continue to this day, in various forms. Here are some of the most powerful deceptions:
1. There is no God. Psalm 14:1 - - -
"The fool has said in his heart there is no God."
2. I will not be judged for my sin. Again, Isaiah 28:15 - -
"When the overwhelming judgment sweeps by, it will not reach us."
Galatians 6:7
"Don't be deceived. God will not be mocked. Whatever a man plants, he will also harvest."
3. God's written Word, the Bible, is just an ordinary book. Who builds their life on a book?!
Of course, the most famous verse where the Bible testifies of itself is Hebrews 4:12-13, where we are told that the Word of God (the Bible) is alive and active and that its power is so sharp that it pierces the soul and spirit. Here we go, from The Message - - -
"His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything,
whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey.
Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word.
We can't get away from it - - - no matter what."
And neither could the Jews of Isaiah 28.
If you take the time to study the "proofs" of the Bible, you will be astounded. I strongly recommend you do that, Christian, if you have never done so. Here are a couple of books for your consideration:
The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict, by Josh McDowell.
Know Why You Believe, by Paul Little.
There are other good ones. Feel free to list them in the comments for this blog.
4. If there is a God, he certainly is not good or fair.
A quick Google search reveals over 60 Bible verses that proclaim the goodness of God. A couple of great ones are Psalm 136:1 and Psalm 100:5. Those deceived proclaim this lie because they do not understand the complex mind of God nor His workings as revealed in Scripture or in our world. The truth is that God is much better to us then we deserve. I don't want "fairness" from God. If I received "fairness", I would deserve Hell for my many sins. As it stands, I have received mercy and grace from God, and accordingly, have salvation, peace and eternal life.
5. God doesn't, can't, won't love me. I'm not good enough.
Oh non-Christian Friend....it was for that very "not good enough" that God gave His Son for us! NONE of us, I repeat, NONE of us could ever be "good enough" to please God! That is why there is grace! Here is the truth from Titus 3:5:
"Not by works of righteous which we have done,
but according to His mercy He saved us..."
As I mentioned earlier, the most heartbreaking instances of deep deception are experienced in our own lives and in the lives of those we love. How do we counter that? Sometimes we try to beat them over the head with the Truth. That is almost never effective. In fact, it often serves to drive them deeper into their warm, cushy lies. Our best weapons are prayer, fasting, being a Christ-like example and showing them how much we love them. That does not mean affirming their choices, but it does mean demonstrating to them that we love them in spite of their choices. Then, in a way to share the truth, season your conversations with thought-provoking, Scripture-based questions.
These strategies are listed in order of importance. Only the Holy Spirit's power can break the deep bondage of deception. In casting around looking for additional study tools on the topic of deception, I found a book that intrigues me. It's called, The Jezebel Yoke: Breaking Free from Bondage and Deception, by Sandie Freed. (Yes, I guess that really is her last name!) I can't recommend this book because I have not read it; but, it does look compelling. The author "calls out" deception in its many forms so that believers can recognize it and then lays out spiritual weapons of warfare, for dealing with the lies and "getting free".
I challenge you to examine your own life. Is there some area in which Satan has deceived you?
If so, run as fast as you can to Jesus! Catch the next train out of "Lie Town".
I saw on Facebook the other day one of my friends who, as a fundraising motivator to her stakeholders had allowed herself to be duct-taped to a concrete wall. There she was, feet off the ground, totally bound to the wall by many layers of strong tape. It was a hilarious picture. But, it paints a picture too of the bondage that people can experience from spiritual deception. When we embrace Satan's lies, we become even more bound up and rendered ineffective in the battle as was my friend in that picture.
Christians, even though we have knowledge of the Truth, we can still be held captive by Satan's lies in our Christian walk. If we want to walk resplendent "in the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ", we must be vigilant and guard our hearts, always being on the look-out against the lies of our enemy, the Devil. Satan always seeks to pervert the work of Jesus, who is described as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. The apostle Peter describes Satan as a roaring lion who roams around looking for someone to devour. Here is the passage from The Message version:
"Keep a cool head. Stay alert.
The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping.
Keep your guard up.
You are not the only ones plunged into these hard times.
It's the same with Christians all over the world.
So keep a firm grip on the faith.
The suffering won't last forever.
It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ - -
eternal and glorious plans they are! - - -
will have you put together and on your feet for good.
He gets the last word. Yes, He does!"
1 Peter 5:8-11
Don't let the enemy eat you up! Stay alert today, my resplendent brothers and sisters!
Dear Father, as I write these words, my heart just breaks. I see so many of my dear ones in bondage. Oh Lord, please give us an extra helping of Your mercy which will enable us to break free from the sin that so easily trips us up! Speak to each one reading this today, Lord Jesus, in that special way that only You and they know, in that personal way that they need to hear. Pour out your love on us like a mighty, rushing river! Open our eyes! Purify us from our sins! Wash us and we will be clean, whiter than snow. In Jesus' name, amen.
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