The Bible warns us in several passages to be aware of
deception (2 Corinthians 11:3). Evil people and impostors will
increase, especially in the last days, both being deceived themselves and
deceiving others (2 Timothy 3:13). Satan's mission is to deceive
millions through his lies, such as humanism and liberalism to mention a few (Revelations
12:9).
Cults prey on people who know very little about Biblical
truth. These unwitting people rarely read the Bible, have a private devotion or
compare what people say with Biblical Truth (Acts 17:11). Without
discernment from God's Spirit, they are easy targets. They accept many a false
teacher at face value and are deceived (Matthew 24:4-12).
Satan also uses comedians, commentators, newscasters, bar
tenders and the man on the street to cheat people out of a relationship with
God. The ungodly fill innocent minds full of human philosophy, empty deceit,
vain traditions and the principles of the world, which are the antithesis of
Christ's teachings (Colossians 2:8).
However, God made creation as a silent preacher. Nature
declares God's eternal power and the invisible attributes of His glory. No one
has a real excuse for not believing in God. It is their foolish heart, which
darkens their understanding and causes them to think they know the truth, when
they actually believe and live a lie (Romans 1: 18-22; Obadiah 1:3;
Proverbs 28:26, Jeremiah 17:9).
Prayer:
Father God, You never tempt us to sin. We are drawn away by
our own deceptive thoughts and desires. Help us to make the choice to walk away
from Satan's fraud, to focus on Jesus and to accept Your eternal gift of
Salvation (James 1:12-17; John 3:16-18). Remind
us that walking in Your Spirit helps us to live in Your eternal plans for our
life (Galatians 5:15-25; Ephesians 2:10).
Thought for the Day:
If we practice a lifestyle of sin, we will not inherit the
Kingdom of God as co-heirs with Christ, because only those who are washed by
the blood of the Lamb, justified in our spirit and sanctified in our soul by
God's Spirit will have a place in God's eternal Kingdom.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Revelation 21:8; Matthew 7:21-23
