Disguises and Deception (2 Corinthians 11:12-15)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:12-15

Oh, these verses are chilling.

The enemy of our souls, the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2), often “disguises himself as an angel of light,” as Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. He is a liar and, indeed, the “father of lies” (John 8:44). And as the best of deceivers, he often entices with promises of seemingly good things.

Use this drug, and you’ll feel good.

Sleep around. Everyone does it, and you have the right to do whatever you want. It’s your body.

Use that credit card. You deserve that [fill in the blank], and that’s what credit’s for, right?

Even worse: You’re in control. You don’t need a savior. You’re a good person. So just live your life.

But worst of all? He influences mere humans to deceive as well. False apostles who have started “churches” proclaiming we’re all gods, so we don’t need one true God. It doesn’t matter what a person believes because all path lead to whatever his definition of “god” is.

Even deceitful workers exist within churches that claim to be Bible-believing, Christ-followers.  They say the Bible can be pulled apart and interpreted at will. As long as you don’t hurt anyone or break any laws, anything goes.

It’s so easy to get sucked into to false light. But it is false. Only God is light. True light. And one day, the false light of the enemy will be shut off forever.

And the God of light will illumine heaven and earth:

And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)

Don't Be Deceived (2 Corinthians 11:1-6)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-6

It is so very important that we keep our hearts and minds fixed on biblical truth and that we filter everything through the scriptures. Some preach “another Jesus,” even to the point of saying that Jesus may not have lived a sinless life. Some say that many roads lead to heaven. Some say that a God of love would never send anyone to hell.

Then there are those who downplay sin. As long as no one is hurt, they say, you should be able to live as you choose. The Bible is wide open to interpretation, they claim, and you can take what makes sense and disregard the rest.

The Bible is God-breathed truth. The Holy Spirit inspired the hearts and minds of the Bible’s authors and the hearts and minds of those who compiled the 66 books it contains. It is full of history, poetry, parable, imagery, and symbolism, and each and every word speaks to one central theme: God’s plan of redemption.

Yes, there are some parts that give historical or cultural context that don’t necessarily apply to modern-day Christ-followers. For example, much of the levitical law was written because people of Israel needed guidelines by which they could be ritually cleansed. They hadn’t the blessing of salvation through the shedding of Christ’s blood.

The real issue? If we don’t know God’s word, we can’t know if someone is preaching something that goes against it. We are responsible for our own study. We need to spend time really digging into the Bible. And when we come to passages we don’t understand, we need to find wise mentors of faith who can help guide us.

We must not be like Eve who was so easily deceived. We must be wise and discerning, not giving the enemy a toehold. We must remain focused on having a “simple and pure devotion to Christ.”

Don't Be Deceived (1 John 3:7-8)

Today's scripture: 1 John 3:7-8

We live in a world of deceivers. Politicians (not all, of course, but some). Corporations (ditto). Employees ... and employers.

And now, it seems, our schools. They seem to be changing history. They teach evolution as fact, but creation can’t even be taught as a theory. They allow “free thinking,” but don’t be caught praying in class.

But even more tragic? Our churches. Tolerance has morphed into compromise which then becomes acceptance. I’m all for loving my neighbor, and I’m a huge proponent of loving the sinner, yet hating the sin (in my own life as well as in the lives of others). And if one is not a follower of Jesus, then I say, “Live and let live—as long as she's not hurting someone or breaking the law.”

HOWEVER …

If one says he’s a follower of Jesus, yet practices sin … well then, I do have an issue with that. If one picks and chooses what she believes in the Bible in order to legitimize her sin … Now I know the Bible says, “Judge not, lest you be judged” (Matthew 7:1), but it also gives guidelines for how to redeem a sinning brother (see Matthew 18:15-20).

John makes it very clear in today’s verses. Those who practice, who live in habitual sin of any kind, are of the devil. You cannot serve two masters (see Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13; yes, Jesus is speaking specifically about wealth, but this applies to anything that takes priority over our relationship with Him).

If you’re practicing sin, then please confess it. And then “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11). Don’t be deceived by this world. Don’t be deceived by even those who call themselves Christians, yet compromise God’s word.

Instead, practice righteousness. Pray that God will help you to more and more like Christ. Pray that you’ll exude the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians5:22). Practice those things that will please God.

In the end? That’s all that matters.

The Lies of the Enemy (2 Cor. 11:12-15)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:12-15

Oh, these verses are chilling.

The enemy of our souls, the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2), often “disguises himself as an angel of light.” He is a liar and, indeed, the “father of lies” (John 8:44). And as the best of deceivers, he often entices with promises of seemingly good things.

Use this drug, and you’ll feel good.

Sleep around. Everyone does it, and you have the right to do whatever you want. It’s your body.

Use that credit card. You deserve that [fill in the blank], and that’s what credit’s for, right?

Even worse, You’re in control. You don’t need a savior. You’re a good person. So just live your life.

But worst of all? He influences mere humans to deceive as well. False apostles who have started “churches” proclaiming we’re all gods, so we don’t need one true God. Or it doesn’t matter what a person believes because all paths lead to whatever each individual's definition of “god” is.

Even deceitful workers exist within churches that claim to be Bible-believing, Christ-followers.  They say the Bible can be pulled apart and interpreted at will. As long as you don’t hurt anyone or break any laws, anything goes.

It’s so easy to get sucked into to false light. But it is false. Only God is light. True light. And one day, the false light of the enemy will be shut off forever.

And the God of light will illumine heaven and earth:

And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.
(Revelation 22:5)

Springs Without Water (2 Peter 2:17-19)

These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.
(2 Peter 2:17-19 NASB)

Peter used such descriptive language to describe those who choose not to follow God’s truth.

They are “springs without water …” They’re dry, useless, even harmful as others are drawn to their shores with the hope of quenching thirst—and there’s no water to be found.

They are “mists drive by a storm …” They themselves have no real influence, but the storm that drives them—sin—is powerful and enticing. They are shrouded in “black darkness.”

In their arrogance and vanity, they entice others, who are drawn in to the lure of flesh and sensuality. And this doesn’t just mean sexual sin. It means addictions to food or drugs or alcohol. It means being totally absorbed by media or television or the internet. Anything that pulls a person away from truth.

And then the sad part: Those who choose the attraction of sin think they’re free. They can do whatever they want whenever they want with whomever they want. But they’re really slaves. They’re tied and bound by whatever has entrapped them.

Because it’s very true: “… for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.”

What “enslaves” you? Your flesh? Or the truth of God’s grace, mercy, and love. In history, slaves didn’t have a choice of who or what enslaved them. You do.

Choose wisely.