Deception

I led a group recently through a "Read the Bible in 90 Days" venture....we started out with 16 people....and there were about half of us who were able to hang in there and finish it. It is a true commitment and depending on how much you already have on your plate...the juggle of time and sacrifice of doing what you want to do for what you have committed to do...was hard....but the effort generated a genuine reward that will at least for me last a lifetime. Being able to get a glimpse of God and his whole picture. God's main objective throughout the bible was His presence...and our relationship with Him....Do we trust and obey or not....and coincidences that follow.

We had to read 12 pages a day....and then would watch a tape each week relative to what we had read. The whole purpose of the exercise was to "read" the bible all the way through. Not study it! I can't tell you how many times I tried to do that on my own (read through the bible)...starting with great enthusiasm and then not even through Numbers would lose steam. Well we did it....and it got me in a routine of picking up my bible for 90 days....when it was over...I tried to continue but again lost focus.

So, I am at it again...beginning in Genesis this week...won't go so fast but now I want to read it slowly. I had just gotten through the first few chapters and I just couldn't quit thinking about the deception of the serpent....and how Eve not only bought into the doubt and confusion that the serpent so cleverly disguised as truth....it she coaxed Adam to do the same. Deception is "not portraying truth"....it basically is the presentation of a lie.,,,,no matter how big or small it may be. It is a tactic used to mislead or falsely persuade others. It is the cunning ability to twist and spin what is true and good and right...into a blurred vision of gray.

Satan's tactic was to get control of Eve's mind. If he could do that then the rest of his manipulative vices regarding her actions and reactions would easily follow in course. We are no different. If we buy into the simple and subtle lies that Satan brings before us then we too are vulnerable to trouble ahead. It is a matter of focus...if Eve would have stayed focused on God and remained confident in God's instructions....she would not have lost her stand in righteousness...for she would have remained "right" under God...instead she choose to look beyond the boundaries that God had given and believed the deception that Satan so strategically presented to her.

Ok...regarding life application...I do this everyday...I lose my focus and instead of depending on God to work things out...I in self confidence make a mess of things. I speak too fast..without consideration of how God would handle something, I react too fast...with out depending on God for guidance, and I let my thoughts "run away"...down unknown paths without taking time to align them with God's. Whenever I have a regret over what I have said or what I have done or how I have handled something....it always is a reflection of my self centered attitude vs God centered focus. For when I slow down and give God a chance to be involved in whatever is going on....beginning with my thoughts, I am a better decision maker, I am calmer, I am at peace, and my confidence shifts from being self motivated to Godly motivated....and he helps me to put my best foot forward on my end, which is really the only thing that I have any say so over... and what happens on the other end....is something that God will work with.

Whatever we say or do originates from our mind. So who is "minding" your thoughts? There clearly is a tug of war between what is good and what is not...between truth and lies, and between who we are taking sides with. The deception that Satan generates is subtle... he begins with making us doubt what God has said, to question God's boundaries, and to underestimate the reasons for obeying Him. Satan's tactics are meant to destroy a relationship that God has offered to have with us.....he is in a daily battle with God seeking souls. We have to be on guard...and careful who we are listening to, and careful that the truth is not being tainted for the sake of selfish pride or gain of someone else.

God has sent his son Jesus to prepare us, to launch his good upon us, within us and through us. He has sent his Holy Spirit to guide us and generate thoughts that are wise and true. If we just stay focused on God... and stay tucked into his way and His will...we will know when deception is upon us....and God will give us His confidence and courage through Jesus to shut it down...

It all starts in the mind! And from that all else follows. Will be be deceived by lies...or be blessed by God's truth. Think on these things....
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.

These "things" will generate peace...God's peace....the "other" things generate fear, distrust, envy, animosity, self consciousness, etc. And if any of us are wondering who has got our minds attention.....the easiest way to answer that is what are you thinking? And whose persuasive power are you under?

Dear Lord, It is a matter of the mind...will you please mind mine! Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
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