God cannot and will not deceive us but our flesh, thoughts and deeds can easily be manipulated by the devil and his cohorts if we do not constantly engage in fellowship and worship with the Father. We need the engagement of the Holy Spirit to be able to stand the wiles of the deceiver and accuser of the brethren know as Satan because Adam sinful nature resides in us.
Revelation 12: 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Deceit is the act or practice of deceiving; concealment or distortion of the truth for the purpose of misleading; duplicity; fraud; cheating.
Deceitfulness is the simplest arsenal of the devil’s weapon as it can be imperceptibly implemented to convince a person who is not fully in Spirit to believe things that are underline of the actual truth. The fundamental purpose of deceit is to derail the person being deceived from the actual full content of the truth. Satan uses this weapon with full knowledge of the truth about God and so he is better placed to distort the truth as he did with Eve in the Garden of Eden.
In Genesis 3:1 one should take note that the very first question to Eve by Satan was “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” In engaging in further conversation with the devil, Eve left the coverage of God and was thus deceived. The devil understands the weaknesses of man as he is a fallen angel that had served under God before the creation of Man.
Genesis 3:13 And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate”.
Because of this very first deceit, Sin was born which is now the constant weapon of deceit as it brings us into captivity of the flesh which is at war with the things of God.
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
Lot was deceived by the greed of his eyes when Abram requested that they split the grazing place for their flocks. He chose the land close to Sodom and Gomorrah which cost his wife’s life, his dignity and gave him a disoriented family.
Deceit can be subtle and cunning as these are the attribute of the devil, so we should strive constantly not to feed on the things of the eyes or desires of the flesh as the devil can use anybody close to us to infiltrate our defences such as was done to King Herod through the beautiful dance performed by Herodias’s daughter. (See Matthew 14:1-12). David also fell under the lust of the flesh by getting involved with Bathsheba. (See 2 Samuel 11). For the eyes have a lustful nature to it.
It was also evident that the devil was at work even in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ and on occasions he was able to deceive Peter but for the Spirit of God that dwells in Christ, He discerned the wiles of Satan as seen in Matthew 16: 23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." and his denial of Christ was covered under grace well before it happen through the love of Christ for him.
Peters’ case demonstrated that you might be around the temple of God but if you are not filled with the Spirit of God, One can easily fall prey to the tricks of the devil and in John 13:2 ….. the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son to betray Him. (Betrayal of Christ by one of His disciple)
For he (Satan) lurks around every nooks and comers of where the children of God operates as in Job 1: 7 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
Temptation is in itself not sin, it is the practice of the temptation that becomes sin, and for Christ was Himself tempted and was able to conquer through the Spirit of the Father demonstrating that we can also overcome with Christ Spirit in us. (Read Matthew 4: 1-11).
A lot of people fall under temptation and become slaves to sins through the lust of the flesh because they fail to hold on tightly to their faith and their confession in Christ.
We can see from the expression by Apostle Paul that sin can prevail in our nature not because we do not want to do good but we have fallen from grace and we can only operate under grace through the love of Christ Jesus. (Romans 7:15-19).
If we fail to operate in the realm and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We cannot totally control our sinful nature for falling bondage to the wiles and deceit of the devil.
Deceit can be perpetuated by those we consider as working in line for God’s kingdom such is the audacity of the beast know as Satan and his cohorts. We were clearly warned by Christ and the apostles.
Matthew 24: 4-5 Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, saying I am Christ and will deceive many. Verse: 24 for false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, even if possible the elect.
2 Corinthians 11: 14- 15…. Satan himself transform himself into an angel of light, therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (see also Mark 13:5-6, 22)
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
We can also see in Acts 16: 16-18 the girl was using demonic power and the power of divination which is associated with the devil to make gain for her masters.
Mark 13: 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
Some people perception of Satan as weird and gruesome creature makes it impossible for them to come to terms that Christ has warned us that the wolves can camouflage in sheep clothing in order to take the sheep prey and many are deceived by false doctrines. There is no other doctrine other that which Christ laid down which central theme is the redemption of sins, believe and faith in Him brings us into eternal relationship and fellowship with God and that all glory and honour is reserved for God the father.
He who must defeat the devil and his principalities must be well groomed in things of God, we wrestle not against flesh but spiritual beings in high places standing tall against the work of God. (See Ephesians 6: 11-18)
1 Peter 5: 8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith,…..
An Apostle or servant of God must live a life that is soberly reflective of the Christ in him, that the calling may manifest the glory of Christ who died and has risen. The focus is on Christ as the ultimate saviour and redeemer of all souls and love is key and central to the heart of such person, daily loving, caring and feeding their flocks with the living word of God. The calling is to serve and not be served as demonstrated by our Lord and saviour Christ Jesus. (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:44-45, John 13: 12-14, 1 Peter 4: 10-11, Galatians 5: 13-14, Philippians 2: 1-11)
The very essence of Christ coming into the world is to bring us to the knowledge of God the Father and for us to develop a relationship via him totally trusting in Him, worshipping, adoring and glorifying the Father for his agape love for us and His desire that we live righteously for He is an Holy, pure and righteous God. To bring us into a place of communion and rest in Him.
Hebrew 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins….
These days we see people glorifying themselves and taking credits for the glory of God showing in the lives of their followers and accepting accolades that belongs to Christ Jesus and the Father. It should be noted that it is only God that deserves the glory for man remains a vessel of honour used to propagate the kingdom of God now and it’s coming when the Son of man comes back in full glory.
Romans 16:18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. (See also Philippians 3:18-19)
The Devil and his cohorts seems to want to share this glory for themselves but their end is certain. Surely the Lord does not share his glory and honour with anyone and by their fruits you shall know them. It is written that we must test all spirit to affirm which is of God, for all spirits bow to the name of Christ and confess Him as Lord of all.
It is not in eloquent speaking, demonstration of sign and wonders that totally determines that a person or church is of God. It is not in religiousness or legalism that determines the acceptance into the kingdom of God. For some people would claim to be Christian but would bring a different message and a counterfeit Christianity. (Read 2 Corinthians 11: 3-4, Galatians 1:6-7).
Any doctrine that is contrary to that which Christ preached or His crucifixion and the affirmation that He has risen and that He is the anointed son of God is not the Gospel of truth. The full context of Christ’s teaching is in His direction that all things comes from the Father of grace, the truth, the light whom does not a have a shadow of doubt and His desire to have a relationship and fellowship with us.
We love you, remain in faith and believe always that God has your best interest at hand.
Yomi and Bola
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