We are currently in one of the most deceptive seasons of the year. Many people do not take seriously the danger that comes with engaging the world in its practices out of wanting to be inclusive, share new experiences and simply having "fun!" My warning to all believers is to WATCH THE DECEPTION! There must be a resolve to remain committed to the Word that teaches us to avoid even the APPEARANCE of Evil!
THE DEVIL is the MASTER of DECEPTION!!! The word master has several meanings that all can classify the devil’s role in deception!!!
1. He has people working for him that aid him in achieving deception. Scripture deseibes Satan as the "god of this World!" Meaning he is in control of WORLDLY things. These are usually people, groups, platforms & things that he can easily use as a front or facade for greater impact & influence! Many of us can reject him directly, but he knows what we are LEAST likely to reject so he plays on our desires & interests! (2 Corinthians 4:4) It is our duty to discern the tactics of the enemy in regards to his attempts to use world interests, events, policies, movements, people & systems to deceive us.
2. He is in charge of these legions & vessels designed for satanic attack. This is why we must be willing and able to discern things! What looks harmless may truly BE harmless under NORMAL circumstances. But when something has a DEMONIC ASSIGNMENT attached to it, it’s harmlessness goes out the door! (Ephesians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:1-22; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). One text I usually consider when arguing this point is the one found in Acts 16:16-20. The story recalls when Paul encounters a woman who is being exploited for her ability to tell fortunes. She is described as being possessed by a "spirit of divination!" Consider this; this ability may have seemed harmless. Who wouldn't wanna know their future? What's wrong if her "ability" brought pleasure to the people and financial gain to the people exploiting her gift? The problem came with the Spirit possessing her not being from God, but rather from the master of deception and evil. You see, it is so easy to become infatuated or involved with the ACT that we do not consider the SOURCE.
How often do we hear/see this in the Halloween season? We see a celebration of evil. We see a glorifying of the world; of ghosts, goblins, devils, witches, etc. Yet, we turn a blind eye because the seller has been "fun," enjoyment, pleasure & financial/economic gain. Here's the point, we cannot become laxed enough with the world to look at it's works at the surface level. We must discern the deeper motive & movement driven by the evil of the enemy.
3. He is SKILLED in what he does!
While not nearly as smart or skilled or powerful as GOD, the enemy nevertheless IS skilled & clever! He does his greatest destruction by studying us and discovering our weaknesses, desires & knowing those things that so easily deceive us! We must commit ourselves to be WISE, VIGILANT and BEING SOBER MINDED to avoid those things that even remotely APPEAR to be threatening to our spiritual well-being! (1 Peter 5:8; Galatians 5; 1 Thessalonians 5:22)
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