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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When Selfish Immaturity Ignores God

Samson was called to be a judge of the Hebrew people, and God equipped him with adequate qualifications for the job. God also gave Samson a free will, including the right to honor that responsibility. The attitudes we develop as children and adults reflect our maturity and the way our free will affects our choices.

Samson was chosen by God to break the Philistine’s yoke over the Hebrews. However, his ambitions and passions affected his reliability and restricted God’s plan for him. Satan used the glitches in his personality as a means of negating God's purpose for him and the nation.

Samson created a riddle to manipulate the young men at his wedding party. That selfish act set in motion life-changing events that became the source of pain for Samson and several other families. God created us with the capacity to mature, to love and serve others. The Holy Spirit within us continuously reminds us of that purpose and he will help us achieve it. 

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For [Christ Jesus] gave himself for us that he might set us free from all our evil ways and make us clean and pure, with our hearts set upon living a life that is good.

~Titus 2:14 Phillips – The New Testament in Modern English