Have you ever driven on the wrong road or gone the wrong way trying to get to your destination? Did you get there? Of course not. I can think of several times I had driven on the wrong road and believed there was something wrong with my GPS. It was not until I pulled over, checked where I was on the GPS, and looked around at the road signs did I finally believe I had gone the wrong way. Driving the wrong way and not believing the truth about your reality is what it is like to be deceived. You think you are on the right road following the will of God, even though the Spirit of God, His Word, or the wisdom and counsel of others say otherwise. The enemy of our soul uses the flesh within us to deceive us repeatedly. Today’s blog is a gentle warning and testimony of how easy it is to be deceived and wander away in our souls from the path of Life and safety of God’s Words.  

 

Several years ago, I wrote a blog called “Are We Living for Time or Eternity…Remember Demas?” If you haven’t read the story of Demas, I encourage you to do so. Demas has a lot to teach us about Deception. https://hispreciousgift.com/wordpress/teaching-moments-are-we-living-for-time-or-eternity/. 

 

I woke up a few days ago feeling restless and uneasy; I couldn’t put my finger on what the struggle was. I opened my heart to God to inquire about what was going on in my spirit. The Lord said these words, “Remember Demas.” Then as I re-read my blog about Demas, a dear brother came to my heart. He is one of my favorite Bible scholars and teachers. Over the years, he has ministered to millions through his ministry. I loved his straightforward way of explaining the scriptures and bringing them to life. A few years ago, he made it public that “He is no longer a Christian and is so happy and free now.” These words broke my heart. PRAY FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS JUST LIKE HIM, WHO HAVE WANDERED FROM THE PATH OF LIFE. 

 

We are not sure what was going on in his life, but we know the evil one is a liar and deceiver. The enemy of our souls somehow lured our brother away from the simplicity of Christ. How do I know? Over 30 years ago, I met Deception personally and lived with him for seven months before the Lord opened my eyes to the Truth and broke the shackles from my soul with His love and grace. From my experiences, let me share with you how Deception works.

 

When we are not looking to Jesus to fill some void in our souls, then the enemy
through the flesh will offer us his means to fulfill our desires.

 

The Knock

 

Believers are One in the Spirit with God. However, our souls (minds, wills, personalities, feelings, and emotions) are progressively being renewed to the Truth our spirits enjoy in Christ. In this process, we may encounter thoughts and feelings of not being good enough, loneliness, needing to be needed, sadness, depression, worthlessness, etc. ‘Knocking’ at our soul’s door. When we feel or have these thoughts, our spirits urge us to talk to the Lord and share those feelings or thoughts with Him; He has supplied all the longings of our hearts. The ‘Knock’ on the door can also come when we feel discontented, or believe we need to do more for God.

 

Our imaginations are gifts from God, but the enemy uses it to lead us astray.

 

The Bait

 

When we are discontented, angry, depressed, lonely, or need an answer about something from the Lord, the flesh produces ideas and strategies to fulfill those desires. Then, the enemy paints a beautiful picture of all the possibilities we have before us and how we can carry them out.

 

Next, he uses our imaginations to look into the future to see us doing this thing and how happy we would be accomplishing it. The flesh does not want us to seek godly counsel but desires that we look to people who would most likely agree with us. He works in secret and darkness making his plans appear helpful, useful, and innocent.

 

 

When Deception speaks to us, our Lord is always calling us through His Word,
His still small voice and through others.

 

 

The Voice of the Lord

 

Before Believers choose to sin or follow the flesh, our gracious Father always beckons us to Himself. In the mind and emotions of Believers a war begins between the flesh and spirit; it becomes overwhelming. The peace of God has been disturbed because we are listening to another voice.

 

The voice of the enemy or the flesh makes everything seem good and right without consequences for our actions or things going wrong. Deception appeals to your senses, to what sounds, feels, or appears good. GOOD is the greatest enemy to the Perfect Will of God for us.

 

Deception makes the path look alluring and exciting!

 

The Trap-We Open the Door

 

Once we say “No” to God by opening the door to inquire or research the enemy’s plans, the path of Deception unfolds. We have turned our souls from the Spirit of God and path of Life to the ways of darkness; Deception becomes our guide. Then, we justify our actions as being from God, even though we have been lured into the lies of the evil one.

 

The plans and pleasures of Deception only last for a moment
before the Liar is revealed.

 

The Journey

 

A new journey begins after opening the door of our souls to Deception. At first, it is exciting, and all is going perfect except for one thing, the peace we once knew and experienced with God has faded. Although God lives within us, we feel distant and alone like we had before we gave our lives to God. Even though we talk to Him, our prayers seem to bounce off the walls. Then, after a while, we stop talking to God, or it’s a very shallow prayer; our souls feel hollow. Then one day, Deception is no longer our friend, but he becomes our Accuser. Suddenly Sin becomes stronger, and resistance to Sin turns into yielding to Sin; it is easier than fighting it. Sin becomes our Master again!

 

Even in our Deception and Sin, Jesus never leaves or forsakes us.

 

The Return

 

Some of us may take months or even years to repent and return home to Christ. The reality of the life we are living is filled with guilt, shame, regrets, and brokenness. All the plans we made with Deception in our imaginations were all mirages and lies; the plans ended up in futility.  Like the Prodigal Son, we must come to our senses of God’s love and forgiveness to finally ask, “What am I doing out here? And, how do I get out of this mess I have made?” 

 

 

When we turn our souls back to our Father, Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit within us, surprisingly, we experience the tender and loving arms of our Father waiting to receive us. Our Father then assures us of how much we are loved. In His way and time, through child training He teaches us the ways of the enemy so we will be wise to the flesh and the evil one’s strategies, so we won’t wander away again.

 

What Draws Us Away 

 

We all must know that we are accepted, appreciated, loved, valued, and respected unconditionally. When we don’t know this our souls are vulnerable to the schemes of the enemy. Spiritual ambition was the bait that lured my soul away from the path of Life. I never felt good enough, the church I attended emphasized ministry is the way to be more pleasing to God. THAT IS A LIE! Jesus is the ONLY ONE who has fulfilled ALL those needs; WE ARE TOTALLY ACCEPTED AND MADE GOOD ENOUGH IN HIM. The lusts of the flesh try to appease those needs by insisting we do something or try to be like someone. 

 

Our Father says to us:

 

I John 2:15-16 

 

¹⁵ Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him.

 

¹⁶ For all that is in the world (lust-strong desires or passions)

• The lust of the flesh – What makes the flesh acceptable, valued, and known. 
• The lust of the eyes – The American Dream, possessions happy family, house, cars, money, pleasures, sports, jewelry, clothes, phones, gadgets, things, and more things. 
• The boastful pride of life– What I want to be in life, to be successful, my position, my title, my accomplishments, how much money I make, who I know, popularity, great, number 1, well liked, is NOT from the Father, but is from the world.

 

Lessons Learned from My Deception Experiences

 

1. Our Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and Father love US…NO MATTER WHAT!
2. We must bring all our thoughts, feelings, and concerns to them. 
3. We must allow God’s wisdom to guide us moment by moment. 
4. When God does not answer us swiftly, we must wait patiently for clarity before taking steps toward our innovative ideas or thoughts.
5. Whenever we follow the flesh, there are consequences. 
6. Whatever is done in the flesh brings death (futility, anguish, sorrow, regrets) and wasted time to our souls, and those we love.

 

May these words impart wisdom and grace to every lost soul trying to find their way back Home. Our Father is just a breath away.

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Enjoy Christ, Enjoy ZOE His Life!