Living in Deception City

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.

Turning a Fool

Today, we close out this 4-part mini-session on the topic of fools.  To begin....
Remember the biblical definition of a fool, given three posts ago:  a person who despises the wisdom of God.  (Proverbs 1:7) (Psalm 14:1)
But, there is a continuum, a range.

People can range from being an utter fool, who declares there is no God, no moral authority based in scripture, and who live their lives according to what they believe to be right.  And, at the other end of the continuum are those who believe in God, revealed through His Son, Jesus Christ, but at times ignore certain aspects of His wisdom.
Examples:
1.  The atheist
2.  The well-meaning Christian who is tempted by some physical substance.  He/she knows that the substance is harmful to the body, the temple of the Holy Spirit.  But, oh how delightful that sin is! Accordingly, he/she falls into it, at least occasionally.
The first example lives continually in the realm of foolishness.  The second lapses into foolishness from time to time.
And, there are all kinds of degrees in between these two extremes.

Knowing and loving an utter fool is the epitome of heartbreak.  Most of us have at least a passing acquaintance with one and can "see" that person (or persons) in our minds' eyes right now.  What does the Bible tell us about hope for these acquaintances, friends, loved ones?

At first glance, it does not look good.
Proverbs 10:8 tells us that the end of an utter fool is utter ruin.

However, I remind you that all people are fools at one time or another.  Before coming to Jesus Christ, we who are now His beloved, were completely lost, the biggest fools ever!  And, He rescued and saved us!

3For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:3-7 (ESV)

Can we just stop, Christians, and praise Him and love on Him for that!  Oh, Hallelujah!

This is part of the heartbreak of loving an utter fool. We want our loved one to know that joy and peace which come from a relationship with the Lover of Their Souls!
Ok, so let's begin with what NOT to do in "turning a fool".

1.  Do not quarrel with her about her viewpoint.  This will get you nowhere.

If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

Proverbs 29:9 (ESV)

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

Proverbs 9:7 (ESV)

This does not mean that you should not attempt to persuade, have civil discussion, share books, etc.
It does mean that you should not allow yourself to descend to their foolish methods of uncivil quarreling.  Any attempts at persuasion should be done with love and respect.

2.  Do not embrace a fool as a cherished friend, because the fool's foolishness will taint your Christian walk.   This is a hard one to accept.  But, you will not "turn a fool" by hanging out with him and participating in his foolishness.  Foolishness is seductive.  You may find yourself believing worldly philosophies as a result.  When the Bible says, "Bad company corrupts good morals", it means it.  This is especially a pitfall of dating.  I cannot tell you how many of my friends over the years have lamented because, as a Christian, they dated a non-Christian, whom they eventually married.  And, their spouse's indifference or downright hostility to the love of God broke their hearts.
Don't "go there" in your cherished relationships. Again, foolishness is seductive.  (Proverbs 9:13-17)
Here's another verse along those lines:

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 13:20 (ESV)

So, where is the hope for a fool?  What CAN you do?
Let's look back at the verses from Titus.  Notice verses 4 and 5.
It is God who turns the heart of fool to Him.
While He can use us, it is His Holy Spirit who ultimately does the conversion of a fool to a saint.
Our role in turning a fool is as follows:

1.  Demonstrate the love of Christ.
Help, but don't enable.  Forgive.  Be generous.  Be humble.  Be Jesus in their lives.  You may be the only Jesus she ever sees!

2.  Pray earnestly.
I don't mean occasionally pray.  Labor in prayer for him!
Pray that she will get weary of her foolishness.
Ecclesiastes 10:15 tells us that "the struggles of fools wear them out".  Sometimes, people have to get to the absolute bottom before they will look up to God.  While we never want our loved ones to have to experience, pain, loss, devastation or despair.  Those may be tools God will use to draw him or her to Himself.  Pray "whatever it takes, Lord Jesus, to draw them to You." (1 Corinthians 5:5)
Pray that the "goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior" will appear to her.
Pray that the eyes of his heart will be opened.
As you are led, even fast and pray.  Let your prayers storm the gates of Heaven on behalf of your foolish friend.
The Lord knows your heartbreak.  He has felt it untold quadrillions of times over, due to the waywardness of HIS beloved....

3.   Praise and Trust
When you get "down" over the spiritual state of your friend, praise your Savior!  Praise Him for His great love and for His sovereign will in each of our lives.
And, then trust Him.
It is very hard to trust God when you see someone you love wallowing in folly, like a pig rolls in muddy filth and grunts with enjoyment, when you see a loved one careening off a cliff to destruction.
You may not like the path God sovereignly has your friend on; but, you can still praise Him for it.
Remember this:  our heartfelt praise breaks spiritual strongholds, breaks the chains of the enemy. Our magnificent God "shows up and shows out" when we praise and trust Him!

3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

21“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’

Luke 15:3-7, 21-24 (NIV)

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your longing to welcome us home!  No matter the state of our souls, the extent of our waywardness, the depths of our foolishness, You always stand ready, arms wide open.  
Lord, I'm amazed by You.  
Now, unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before His presence with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever, amen.