As we grow more and more interconnected through all sorts of media, be it online social networks, cable news or talk radio, worldwide deception becomes more and more of a possibility. Peer pressure influences what we can or can not say, for instance we live in an era where certain questions are considered off limits. Not that the questions can’t be asked, but a person asking these questions are ridiculed, mocked and chastised into submission or exile. Questions such as: Is Obama eligible to be President of the U.S.
Trusting the Word of God is difficult when deceptions are so prevalent. What happened to the old adage that there is no such thing as a dumb question? I don’t understand the latest strategy of belittling people who ask these questions other than to conceal truth; if what we are being told is true why not satisfy the curiosity of the questioner with a respectful answer? If my children would ask me why does the sun come up every morning I wouldn’t laugh at them and make them feel inferior, I would give a respectful answer providing evidence to support that answer if needed.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. Matthew 24:4
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9
And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. Revelation 18:23
If we believe the Bible, it’s very clear that Satan will deceive the whole world and the merchants of the earth are tools used to deceive. Who would fall into the category of “merchants”? Lately, I would lump bankers, corporations and politicians into this category as they constantly exploit citizens. Jesus tells us:
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. John 12:46
And in his letter to the Romans Paul writes:
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
In terms of conforming to the world, how is the Church doing? My observations indicate that the Church, or I should say Churches are not doing so good in this area. So if the Church is conformed to this world, as I believe it is, it would imply that the Church is deceived since according to Revelation 12:9 the “whole world” is deceived.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders: insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matthew 24:24
How is it then that Jesus says that it isn’t possible for the elect to be deceived? He says that the elect would be deceived IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, why is it not possible?
If ye were of the world the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:19
Because the elect are not conformed to this world, they are not of this world, but chosen out of the world. We must choose Christ over the world, when we know Him which is to know His Word, it is impossible to be deceived.
Resisting deception is very important to Jesus. Deception is what led us to the fallen state we are now in, and Christ came to provide us with an example of how to resist these deceptions. A Greek word for deception is planaō, a verb used 39 times in 37 verses of the New Testament, translated in multiple ways. It is translated as follows: deceive 24, err 6, go astray 5, seduce 2, wander 1, be out of the way 1. Another Greek work for deception is exapataō, a verb meaning to deceive and is found in the New Testament 5 times, translated 4 times as to deceive and once as beguiled.
The one thing as Christians we need to understand is that God’s Word is true and that what He tells us in His Word will happen. So should we be fighting against our government? Paul writes this to the Ephesians:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. Ephesians 6:12
To me this would indicate that we are in a spiritual battle and not one that is in this physical world. Is it possible for us to fight in the spiritual realms where these enemies fight against us? Paul explains in this entire passage:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:10-18
So we wrestle against spiritual forces, but we are also given defenses and weapons to wage this war IN THE SPIRIT. How do we “girt our loins” with truth? That is something we are working on daily to determine what is truth. Truth is an absolute and the world does not like absolutes. Truth says that God is all powerful and He has empowered us by the blood of His Son Christ Jesus. We are also instructed to have on the “breastplate of righteousness” the breastplate protects your vital organs in your upper torso ie your heart and lungs. Living righteously is therefore a protection of your vital spiritual organs, your heart. How one does shod his feet in the gospel of peace?
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:39
Are the principles of Christ only applicable to individuals or do we worship a God with universal principles that not only apply to individuals they apply to governments as well? Does this sound like we should launch retaliatory wars with circumstantial evidence at best? We as individuals have no control over the conduct of our nation, God’s Will is already set in motion and Satan thinking its his plan will be in for a surprise. A shield is something that is moveable, one can use it to reinforce areas of the body already covered in armor based on where the enemy is attacking. A shield is more important than any other piece of armor because its flexible, a skilled warrior could go into battle armed with only a shield, for a skilled warrior can also use a shield as a weapon in close quarter combat. Faith is much like the shield in that it can be used to reinforce righteousness or truth or peace and if the enemy gets too close you can use your faith offensively to smack him in the face. The helmet protects the vital organs in the skull ie the brain. In the spirit, your mind is protected knowing that we have…
…an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:4-5
Knowing that God has reserved our salvation for us puts our minds at ease in that there is nothing that the enemy has in his arsenal that we should fear for he does not have the power to destroy our souls.
We finally get to the offensive weaponry, the sword which is mainly for offense but also used in defense. The Word of God is what we use to assault the kingdom of darkness. Why do you think that our enemy tries to destroy the Word by either suppression or mistranslation. He knows that the Word will destroy him. Our other main offensive weapon is Prayer.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
When the armor is used in combination it is very effective. We can pray the Word of God in faith while living righteously. God has armed us to fight this battle, we can’t afford to be distracted by what is manifested in the physical, our battle is in the Spiritual and that is the dominion we are instructed to take.
As we explore this concept of waging a spiritual war we can begin to understand Jesus when he said “…whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Unless we walk in the spirit, this makes no sense. When we realize our battle is not against the flesh and blood of this physical world, but the powers of darkness in the spiritual dimension we shall be able to overcome the dragon by the blood of the Lamb.
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