Lies and Deception
They say the camera doesn’t lie, but the image often does–not so much in pixels as in our perception. Lies and Deception. Oh, we often think we’re so good at recognizing a lie, but do we realize how often we are deceived?
There is a difference between lies and deception. We all know that Satan is the Father of Lies. But he is the Master of Deceit. And oftentimes, even as women who are seeking God daily, we fall prey to his subtle trickery and manipulation.
Lies and Deception
So, what is the difference between a lie and deception? A lie is something that is not true. Satan often feeds us lies, but the more time we spend with God, the better we recognize his lies. Deception, on the other hand, is something that is true, but not truth.
In the Garden of Eden, the serpent tricked Eve, not with lies but with deception.
“‘You will not surely die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'”
Genesis 3:4, NIV
The fact is that they didn’t die immediately, and once they ate the fruit, their eyes were opened.
“And the Lord God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil.'”
Genesis 3:22
True, but not truth. God intended for Adam and Eve to live forever in paradise, so their eventual death was brought about by their disobedience. But the real deception here is that they needed something apart from God. Adam and Eve were deceived into believing that God was holding out on them. The truth was that He was protecting them from evil.
Many of us fall prey to that same deception. We know what is true, but we forget what is truth.
True vs. Truth
True: I was abandoned and rejected by my father at the age of twelve.
Deception: I am not worthy of love.
Truth:
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”
1 John 3:1
True: I’m still waiting on God to bring something to pass.
Deception: Did I really hear God?
Truth:
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
John 10:27
True: I still haven’t gotten the promotion at work.
Deception: I’m not good enough.
Truth:
“God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21
True: The doctor’s report isn’t good.
Deception: I probably won’t be healed.
Truth:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
True: My relationship with (insert name) is not good.
Deception: The situation is hopeless.
Truth:
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:21
True: I have lost a close loved one and my heart is breaking.
Deception: I’ll never be happy again.
Truth:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:4
True: I have sinned terribly.
Deception: I can never be forgiven.
Truth:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9
I could go on and on. And for every verse above, I thought of two or three more. You see, God is the source of all truth. There may be situations in your life that really aren’t good. The facts are true. But the enemy will keep your mind in confusion and strife, twisting what’s true away from God’s truth. And those false beliefs are what drive us to seek peace or satisfaction in something other than God.
So what do we do?
Worship God, even in the midst of your (true) situation.
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Psalm 42:5
Meditate on and confess His Word (truth).
“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
Psalm 86:11
Lord, today we choose to put our hope in You. Enable us to clearly hear Your voice of truth above the deception of the enemy. May we walk in Your truth today with undivided hearts of praise.
The thing about truth, there is still hope. When deception comes in, its just the work of the enemy, not wanting us to move forward to our destination, knowing that there is something good waiting on us.
Amen! My hope is in the Lord, and I will NOT be disappointed. He has a plan for our lives, and it is good. 🙂