Satan never gives up on people. As he wars against sinners
from getting saved the strategies to take hostage once again those who have
been reconciled in Christ. His weapon, more often than not, is
deceit. He
deludes pilgrims into pursuing other goals in life to the detriment of their
personal involvement in God’s work. They become dysfunctional members of the
church glorying in past accomplishments in Christendom. They fail to read and
meditate on God’s word which is necessary for their spiritual growth,
maturation and sustenance. They become as deceived as the sinners still in the
world.
INDICATOR OF DECEPTION:
1.
A
woman is deceived when she attempts to pursue worldly pleasures as well as seek
the kingdom of God- Matthew 6: 24; James 4:4.
2. She
is deceived when she thinks self-righteousness and keeping of religious
ordinances will give her access into God’s Kingdom – John3:3.
3.
She
is deceived when she believes all sermons, prophecies and miracles come from
God – 1 John 4:1.
4.
She is deceived when she thinks, “We all-Christians and non-Christians –
serve the same God” – 2 Corinthians 6:14-16.
5.
She
is deceived when she thinks God is “too loving and merciful” to condemn sinners
to everlasting punishment – Hebrews 2:2, 3.
6.
She
is deceived when she thinks God is not interested in “little” sins and errors.
7. She
is deceived when she thinks she is too knowledgeable, fervent and strong in
faith to fall or backslide.
8 8
She is deceived when she believes the teaching
of eternal security – once saved, forever saved- is biblical.
9
She
is deceived when se thinks she can win the worldly to Christ by being worldly
herself.
10. She
is deceived when she thinks there will still be room for repentance after
death.
11.
She
is deceived when she thinks scriptural principles are old-fashioned and not
applicable to the modern society.
12. She is deceived when she thinks Christ may not return, and the present world may not come to an end after all.
12. She is deceived when she thinks Christ may not return, and the present world may not come to an end after all.
IMMUNITY FROM DECEPTION:
If you
realize that you’ve been deceived, then now is the right time to retrace your
steps like the prodigal son. If you will jettison all deceptive ideas of the
devil and return to Christ today, He will pardon and receive you.
The kingdom
of Satan glitters with the temporary treasure and pleasures of this world but
Jesus offers you abundant life – life in the present and in the world to come.
The only thing that can guard you against the deceit of Satan is the truth of
the word of God. Study it; mediate on it, live by it and hold on to it at all
times. If you heed the precepts and warning, you will not be deceived.
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