Monday Morning Devotion-February 25, 2019
Tangles of Deception
Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of Life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2
Deception. Not good. Being deceived is hurtful. It is something we try to avoid at all costs.
Deception is an act or statement which misleads, hides the truth, or promotes a belief, concept, or idea that is not true. It is often done for personal gain or advantage. Deception can involve dissimulation, propaganda, and sleight of hand, as well as distraction, camouflage, or concealment. (Wikipedia)
An example of deception would be to tell someone you are 30-years old when you are really 40 (I wish). OK so that's a mild example but it is basically a way to make someone believe something that is untrue.
Likewise, the Oxford English dictionary says a person can deceive oneself by failing to admit that something is true. A student might say: "I can't concentrate when I study."
"The fact is that some people never manage to concentrate whenever they try to study. In fact, they always find something that distracts them whenever they attempt to study as if the whole world is against them. The truth is those people are afraid to study and get bad grades because this will prove that they are not intelligent. So, they come up with a brilliant idea---Why not prevent them from studying and thus giving them an excuse to use when they get bad grades." (www.selfgrowth.com)
Procrastination can be a form of self-deception that might be used to cover up for a lack of confidence that a person can achieve something. As long as they put it off it cannot be proven that they can't do it.
When we are deceived it often comes in the form of an accusation. One of the tools of the deceiver is to make you feel insecure about something thereby giving you a feeling of inferiority. If the deceiver can make you feel insecure by accusing you of something they can get the upper hand.
This is a frequent occurrence in our society. Sarah Young writes: "Don't listen to voices of accusation. Jesus speaks to you in love-tones, lifting you up. His Spirit convicts cleanly without crushing words of shame. Let the Spirit take charge of your mind combing out tangles of deception."
When our granddaughter Ellee wakes up some mornings her blonde hair is a mess. Each of those hairs seem to be going in a different direction as if they are fighting for position. That's when we tell her that the "Tangle Fairy" got into her hair because it looks like a mess of tangles.
Some days it seems like that Tangle Fairy has taken control of our life that day. It becomes one of those "whatever-can-go-wrong-does-days." That's when the evil one is taking control. He will try any deception, big or small, to lead you in the wrong way.
Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome and to believers everywhere some advice for handling those deceptions that ultimately threaten your well-being.
"So dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live."
Just as we have no obligation to do the wrong things, then Paul tells us we have a personal responsibility to see that we are not deceived. Paul commanded the Ephesians: "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience."
So why is letting oneself get deceived such a problem? Because these deceivers are creative. They don't tell a story that reveals the trouble you can get into when you follow their deceptive advice.
Paul addresses this in his message to Timothy (4:1-2): "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscious seared with a hot iron."
The main thing that can happen is we depart from our faith. These slick talkers can paint a tale of deception that seems better than the situation you are currently in. When you start to slide in that direction it is likely that you will forget all that the way of faith has lead you to accomplish. It is a story that is painted by the deceivers that you can have things much better than you do already if you just follow what they are encouraging you to do.
It is often the case that you are made to feel that you really deserve much better than you have presently. You have been faithful. Attended church regularly. Read the Bible. Prayed. Where has that gotten you? Bills piling up. Kids rebelling. Divorces happening. No promotions at work. Those are the kinds of things that can take over your thinking. When your focus is directed, in a negative way, to all the things that are wrong in this crazy world your faith can be damaged.
When this kind of thinking takes over it is hard to focus on all the good things that, as a
believer, you have received. It becomes harder to remember "that your ultimate goal is not to control or fix everything around you; it is to keep communing with Jesus. A successful day is one in which you have stayed in touch with Him, even if many things remain undone at the end of the day."
Sarah Young continues: "Do not let your 'to-do' list (written or mental) become an idol directing your life. Instead ask the Holy Spirit to guide you moment-by-moment. He will keep you close to the Lord."
When you are receiving this on-going guidance and direction from the Holy Spirit it will be less difficult to avoid getting trapped in those "tangles of deception."
Prayer: Lord we thank you for always being there to help us keep from getting all tangled up in deceptive and misleading ways. Amen!