Will the Power of God's Grace Disable Duplicity?

The tendency toward deception is a problem even the strongest Christians must struggle against. When confronted with situations that are embarrassing, denying wrongdoing or admitting failure in morals and character is common practice. Large corporations pay out huge sums to settle lawsuits, while denying wrongdoing.

This prevailing mindset bows to deception as an effective means of functioning in society. However deception damages integrity, creates guilt, and may become emotionally habitual or a common way of life.

Living with deception fosters a way of life tainted by duplicity, which is dangerous. Listen to Proverbs 11:3, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” Though sin may have gained a foothold in your life, God’s grace is greater, more powerful than sin’s stronghold. God is persistent in guiding you away from evil and toward Jesus Christ and his righteousness. 

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When Christ died, he died for sin once and for all. But now he is alive and lives only for God. In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God. Don’t let sin rule your body. After all, your body is bound to die, so don’t obey its desires.

~Romans 6:10-12 Contemporary English Version

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How Can You Face Satan's Deception?

Deception has been an intricate part of the human experience since the beginning. Satan deceived Adam and Eve with daunting questions and shrewd dialogue.

Listen to Satan’s question in their conversation: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” Eve replied, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden; you must not touch it, or you will die.’” Satan responded, “You will not surely die, for God knows that when you eat it, you will be like him knowing good and evil.”

Most individuals know when they are being deceived but become vulnerable to evil by hesitating to react. Listen to Jeremiah 7:4, “Do not listen to deceptive words.” Turn and walk away or the consequences will  become a lifelong burden. 

Remember this promise from God, “Resist Satan and he will flee from you.” When facing deception, call upon Jesus Christ, for he is your source for deliverance from evil. 

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And forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. Don’t bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One.

~Matthew 6:12-13 The Living Bible

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How Do We Overcome the Tendency Toward Deception?

Suspicion is often linked to someone’s deception or hidden secrets. Listen to Jesus from Luke 12:2-3: “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, for every secret will be made known. Whatever has been covered up will be uncovered.” Jesus is obviously referring to everyone.

Each person has a proclivity for being deceptive, whether mentally, behaviorally, or even spiritually. However, it’s ultimately our choice to take responsibility for our failures by permitting God to redeem us. When we are reminded of our secrets, it will be the still, small voice of God prompting us to face the consequences. 

The tendency toward deception is strong, but the good news is, God has given you self-control, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Self-control will restrain the impulse to step outside of what is acceptable to God. Trust in his goodness and mercy to supply you with guidance, for he is faithful and trustworthy to help.  

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[Jesus Christ] offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.

~Titus 2:14 The Message

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Is Help Available to Overcome Painful Consequences?

Few things are more disturbing emotionally than suspicion because joy and peace of mind are threatened. Suspicion is bonded to betrayal, whether real or imagined, for everyone tends to hide certain aspects of their behavior and personality that are disconcerting.

We are now conditioned to expect cover-ups and deceitfulness from those who serve us politically, as Jeremiah 17:9 explains, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Deceit and secrets are a choice, as are truth and honesty.

Jeremiah 17:10 offers hope for reconciliation: “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind to reward a man [or woman] according to his [or her] conduct.” God provides helpful opportunities for openness and honesty, so new beginnings become possible, including hope and strength for facing painful consequences of past choices and behavior. He is a God of forgiveness and reconciliation. 

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Then submit to God. Resist the devil and he will run away from you. Come close to God and he will come close to you.

~James 4:7-8 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

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How Can Lying Eyes Learn to Speak Truth?

There are secrets that are detrimental to oneself and others. These secrets arouse suspicion and distrust because they can’t be completely suppressed or hidden. Shame and guilt are impossible to conceal completely because subtle changes in attitudes and behaviors are apparent.

Human beings try to deceive with their eyes. The eyes are said to be the window to the soul for others to see and question. Being deceptive makes the eyes appear shut to the scrutiny of those searching for the truth. John Steinbeck wrote, “Lying eyes are impossible to hide.”

When feeling suspicious, ask God for insight and patience. Wait for details to confirm or disprove what is feared to be true. Fear is overcome by truth and mercy and by trusting God to bring positive good and needed change from what appears hurtful and painful. Jesus proclaimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus delivers security in times of insecurity.   

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Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

~Psalm 86:11-12 New International Version

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What Prevents Us from Facing the Truth about Ourselves?

The majority of individuals know what it’s like to experience the cutting edge of suspicion. It cuts deep and drains the heart of joy and peace. What was once predictable and trustworthy can become inundated with uncertainty, resulting in worry and insecurity.

Behaving in hurtful, reckless ways will bring unimaginable consequences that stress the body and mind. Hosea 8:7 issues this warning: “Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.” When a relationship is abused through neglect or distrust, the end result will be an empty, hollow life.

Yet, sincerely turning away from sin to face God and the truth brings strength to endure whatever must be faced. God does not desire to punish through the whirlwind, but it’s impossible to prevent consequences from running their course. His forgiveness and mercy replace guilt and the darkness of suspicion and mistrust to make way for a new beginning with God and others.

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Why then should we, mere humans as we are, murmur and complain when punished for our sins? Let us examine ourselves instead, and repent and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift our hearts and hands to him in heaven.

~Lamentations 3:39-41 The Living Bible

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How Can Suspicion Poison the Mind?

Suspicion creates and prolongs distrust, which can become so disconcerting that it seems everything is in disarray and unpredictable. Where suspicion exists, anxiety hovers like a vulture hovering over a dead animal. While suspicion is unnerving and creates fear, it may fall short of facts to prove its case.

William Shakespeare noted in his play Henry the Eighth: “Suspicion haunts the guilty mind.” Mankind’s shortcomings can hover like a dark cloud, especially when those shortcomings are responsible for behaviors which jeopardize relationships that should be nurtured and cherished.

Thomas Paine, the American Revolutionary War hero, wrote: “Suspicion is the companion of troubled souls and poison to the mind.” 

Suspicion must be confessed to the Lord God to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit of its darkness. Darkness is banished by light, and Jesus is the light of the world. In him is no darkness.  

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His life is the light that shines through the darkness – and the darkness can never extinguish it.

~John 1: 5 The Living Bible

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What Is the Purpose of Confronting Suspicion?

Suspicion arises when there are misgivings about another person’s intentions or a situation that is questionable. Suspicion is a primitive instinct necessary for survival in a world without protection from predators. If suspicions were ignored, there might not be a second chance to consider one’s options.

It’s not that a person should become paranoid and permit fear and anxiety to dominate their lives, for then peace would no longer be possible. Suspicion does have positive attributes. For instance, if a teenager’s grades drop and irritability takes the place of patience, then this could be a warning that an unacceptable change has taken place.

Suspicion must be confronted, not with anger and rage, but with evidence, which takes patience and faith. 

Truth and faithfulness are the foundation blocks for all relationships including our relationship with God. Truth and faithfulness are attributes of God which he instills in us to defeat suspicion.  

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Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  

~1 Corinthians 13:4-7 New Living Translation

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What Is the Root of Suspicion?

Have you noticed how secrecy gives birth to suspicion? Teenagers are known for keeping their thoughts and activities secret, which may cause parents to be concerned. Considering a person’s age, privacy should be respected except where suspicion and lack of trust are legitimate. Most individuals know instinctively when trust has been violated.

If privacy cannot be trusted, suspicion will rule the heart and mind. When suspicion is expressed in a belittling way, it will invariably create more secrecy. 

Suspicion creates anxiety that will eventually disappear when the truth is portrayed in straight-forward dialogue that is believable.

It’s important to prevent suspicion from getting out of hand. C. S. Lewis warns that suspicion creates what it suspects. Consider this truth: 'The mind can suspect deceit without good cause,' so be sure you know the truth. Listen to God’s word: “Trust in the Lord and do good … and he will give you the desires of your heart.”  

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Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.  

~Ephesians 4:32 The Message

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How Can Revealing Shameful Secrets Free You?

What helped America and our allies win World War II was their deciphering Germany and Japan’s secret military codes. During the decades of the Cold War, one of America’s best kept secrets was the B2 stealth bomber, constructed from materials that made it impossible for radar to detect.

Personal secrets can be detrimental to relationships and to emotional and physical health. Stories abound of children sworn to secrecy by a predator who had violated them. When a seven-year-old revealed to her mother that a teenage cousin had been molesting her for three years, the mother refused to believe her.

Reporting this shameful secret to the authorities was painful, but necessary to ensure that healing would be sought. God will create a time and place for secrets to be revealed so healing can move forward. He provides courage and determination for you to be free from the shackles of secrets. God is worthy of your trust, and his love will never fail you. 

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He sends light to places dark as death.

~Job 12:22 Good News Bible

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Does Exposure of Secrets Free the Heart and Soul?

Since the beginning of creation God’s mysteries and secrets have continued to be revealed, including how each person is in so many ways a profound mystery. Deuteronomy 29:29 reminds us that God shares his secrets. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and our children forever.”

Secret-keeping is a human trait that can be a blessing or a tragedy. Children who have a best friend love to share secrets. These harmless secrets may bond their friendship for life. However, some secrets become a prescription for self-defeating behaviors or even disaster.

Secrets that become heavy on the heart and soul may invariably interfere with achieving God’s intended purpose. The remedy for self-defeating secrets is to confess them to God or a trusted friend. Exposure to the cleansing light of Jesus Christ destroys the dark power of secrets that creates separation from God and others.  

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Whatever is hidden away will be brought out into the open, and what is covered up will be found and brought to light.

~Luke 8:17 Good News Bible

But if we live in the light – just as he is in the light – then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin.

~1 John 1:7  Good News Bible

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How Does the Power of Secrets Dominate Your Life?

Human beings are exceptionally capable of creating problems and adversities that have long-term consequences. So much is publicized about the lives of celebrities since it’s impossible to hide from long-range camera lenses and the paparazzi’s investigative skills. However, most of our secrets are not subjected to this type of scrutiny.

Secrets have the potential to become destructive when saturated with guilt and shame, which then demand concealment from family and friends. The possibility of discovery creates heart-piercing anxiety about the truth getting exposed to the light for everyone to see.

An important blessing of life is knowing that our deepest, darkest secrets cannot be hidden from God. Listen to Psalm 90:8. “You, O God, have set our inequities before yourself. Our secret sins exist in the light of your presence.” When you realize that God knows your secrets, confess them and repent so he will forgive you and give you peace. 

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For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.  

~Mark 4:22-23 New Living Translation

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What Must Change to View Adversity as a Blessing?

What strategy do you use to contend with adversity? Most of our troubles are manageable, requiring only minor adjustments to our lifestyle. Untethered frustration has the tendency to evolve into anger, which opens the door to behaviors that may wound for a lifetime.

If there are no witnesses to the cause of the frustration, we may suppress our angry words and behaviors out of embarrassment and shame, but they can remain forever in our memory. The damaging effect of most secrets is that they conceal guilt, shame, and fear, which over time play a major role in damaging self-esteem and peace of mind.

Whether or not adversity evolves into frustration depends on how it’s  perceived. When frustration is perceived as an opportunity to rethink what God’s purpose could be and how you fit into that purpose, then frustration be can a blessing. This attitude is advantageous because it permits the Lord God to direct your thoughts and behavior.

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My troubles turned out all for the best – they forced me to learn from your textbook. Truth from your mouth means more to me than riches.

~Psalm 119:71-72 The Message

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