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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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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Inextinguishable Hope

Have you noticed how some folks can be contented with just about anything life places upon them? Then there are individuals who have everything but cannot be contented, especially if someone has something more desirable. Jacob and his mother were obsessed with stealing the blessing that belonged to his brother Esau.

They were so obsessed with their plan of deception that they could not understand how hurtful their sinful act would be to Isaac the father and to Esau. Suppose you were stripped of all your power, finances and joy. In addition, you would forever be subject to a younger sibling’s control with no hope for change.

 

Isaac did give Esau one small blessing, but it seemed negative and absent of hope. However, even a small flicker of hope that the Lord Jesus Christ gives can never be extinguished, no matter how dark life becomes.  Ephesians 1:18 is encouraging. “I pray that your heart will be flooded with hope so you can see the future Christ Jesus has called you to share.”  

  

Beware of Good Intentions

Good intentions covered over with DECEPTION never produce a

godly outcome but open the door to pain and suffering. Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau, was determined that Jacob would receive their father Isaac’s blessing. She was willing to deceive her husband to make sure it happened.

Where there is lack of faith and trust, there is fear. Fear then gives rise to extreme self-centeredness and a fiery self-determination. There is no evidence Rebekah consulted God concerning her plan of deception. Isn’t it like us to act independently, setting our own plans in motion, only to experience the worse possible consequences?

When Rebekah informed Jacob of her scheme, he was initially reluctant, but her persuasive skills were too precisely honed to resist. So, he became a full participant in her deception, unaware of what it would cost him. Psalm 119 identifies the character strength of resistance we need. “I refuse to walk in the paths of evil.” This can be your choice. God will bless you.  

Choose to Control Your Weaknesses: God Will Help - Part 1

It's never been easy to live the Christian life. Every age has enticements that instigate sorrow and pain. There’s something about the human spirit that will flirt with what is tempestuous. God's Word consistently warns us about evil forces that destroy our happiness. A catchy news magazine article focused on the vulnerabilities of children and teenagers.

Children are not the only ones influenced by evil predators. Addiction to pornography is a worldwide adult scourge. Searching for excitement to substitute for the ordinary realities of life drives a person to flirt with evil. This flirtation makes individuals vulnerable to deception.

In Numbers 22 Balaam allows himself to be deceived and then to do what God warned him not to do. Evil gained a powerful foothold in his heart and soul.  Listen to St. Paul’s challenge. "Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every godly opportunity because the days are evil." These words are from God and are wonderful advice.  

Choose God's Way: Resist Evil - Part 1

Evil may initially appear harmless and fun. Numbers 25 illustrates how young Israeli men were invited to attend parties given by young Moab women. Soon all of Israel was worshiping the idol gods of these women. While Balaam the prophet could not place an evil curse on Israel, he gave the Moab king this advice: “Get the young Israeli men sexually involved with your young women, and their hearts will turn away from God.”

Although evil may get the upper hand and become dominant, there will be a day of reckoning. While Balaam appeared to be a man of God, he could not let go of the evil permeating his heart and soul. Numbers 31 informs us he was killed in battle against the Israelis.

While temptation is persuasive and evil can deceive God’s people, listen to 1 John 4:4. "Dear young friends, you belong to God and have already won your fight with those who are against Christ, for there is someone stronger than any evil teacher." Praise God for this good news! 

Half-hearted Prophets and Compromised Faith - Part 1

Adversity has the tendency to harden the heart and create bitterness or even despair. Some ways people try to avoid adversity are by changing jobs, moving, getting divorced, or trying to manage their hurt and pain by seeking short-lived pleasures. Balaam, the Old Testament prophet, left the straight narrow way to run after wealth and escape the obstructions of poverty.

It wasn't just lusting after riches that pulled Balaam off the straight path.  He wanted to escape a lifestyle of being a con man who lived a life of deception. The heart of the matter was that adversity had hardened his heart and created a sick, unhealthy way of thinking which led to abandoning God’s purpose for his life.

Balaam, a half-hearted prophet, refused to follow God's instructions after permitting unrighteousness to get a foothold in his life. Unrighteousness included unhealthy thought patterns, unwholesome feelings, and sinful actions which he refused to reject. You wage war on unrighteousness with God's word and prayer. May God bless and keep you close to himself.

Damaged Integrity: Restoring and Rebuilding - Part 3

A person of integrity refrains from deliberate dishonesty and deception. What comes to mind when you hear the word deception? Perhaps something from your experience like being deceived into thinking or believing something that wasn't true. Deception can look and sound like truth, can have shades of truth, but beneath the surface things are not as they seem.

Have you omitted some of the facts concerning an issue because you were scared or anxious about what could happen if the whole truth were known? All of us are guilty of behaviors that have hurt or harmed others. However we can change if we feel genuine sorrow and regret for these behaviors and have made commitments to change.

Believing that hope exists for new beginnings is motivation for rebuilding a wounded integrity. Think of integrity as a guiding light within your conscience which guides you through difficult decisions that would temp you to turn from God's truth. Jesus said he is the Light of the World and in him there is no darkness. Choose to walk in his light.  

Damaged Integrity: Restoring and Rebuilding - Part 2

There's an interesting biographical book and movie called "Catch Me if You Can" about a man who was skilled in creating identities that allowed him to remain a fugitive. To him it was an art as much as it was an escape from justice. God equips us with gifts and talents, but we have the responsibility of choosing whether to use our God-given intelligence and skills for good or for evil.

Our integrity is measured by how we choose to use what God assigns us. Integrity is designed to be a guide for making godly choices. Integrity will serve as a guard against reacting detrimentally to oneself or others. In the Bible, Job is projected as a man of integrity, for in his darkest days he refused to abandon what he knew was right for him.

Being deceptive can harm or even destroy our integrity. Choose to change by believing God's purpose and plan replicates what is good and right for you. Trust God to give you wisdom to act on what will support the highest level of integrity. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."