»Satan's deceptions - distract us from living by God's true word, deflect us from walking in His revealed path, and dillute our effectiveness in His appointed work.
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- ...the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools... (Romans 1:18-22 NKJV)
- "So you shall say to them, 'This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth....' (Jeremiah 7:28 NKJV)
- Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" (John 18:38 NKJV)
- ...the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV)
- Everyone will deceive his neighbor, and will not speak the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves to commit iniquity. Your dwelling place is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know Me," says the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:5-6 NKJV)
- "Fraud may consist as well in the suppression of what is true as in the representation of what is false." -- Justice Heath, English Jurist (Source: Tapp v. Lee, 1803)
Some of the lies of the devil
- Man is autonomous: independent, self-sufficient and absolutely sovereign.
- Idolatry: the worship of demons or false, impotent gods created by man.
- Occult practices: sorcery and witchcraft, fortune-telling and séances.
- Misleading belief systems and philosophies:
- Universalism
- Atheism
- Agnosticism
- Humanism
- Materialism
- Positivism
- Empiricism
- Naturalism
- Elitism
- Monasticism
- Nihilism
- Hedonism
- Relativism
- Postmodernism
- Transhumanism
- Impotent beliefs concerning salvation:
- By self-righteous morality, abstinence, penance, or flagellation
- By ancestral or religious heritage
- By priesthood absolution or indulgence
- By institutional membership or nationality
- By performance of religious rite, ritual, or pilgrimage
- By reformation, reincarnation, and self-transcendence
Note: This is not an exhaustive list since enemy has many wicked schemes, and mankind has many evil imaginations.
In the battle for souls, Satan and the world system employ cunning strategies to deceive humanity and lead them astray from the truth.
- Suppression of Truth and Darkened Hearts: Romans 1:18-22 reveals the first weapon of deception: the suppression of truth. Despite the revelation of God's invisible attributes in creation, people intentionally suppress this truth in unrighteousness. Rejecting God's glory and failing to express gratitude, they become futile in their thoughts and their hearts are darkened. Professing wisdom, they become fools. This tactic blinds individuals to the reality of God and leads them into spiritual deception.
- Disobedience and the Perishing of Truth: Jeremiah 7:28 unveils a nation that refuses to obey God's voice and rejects correction. Consequently, truth perishes, and it is cut off from their mouths. This weapon of disobedience and rejection of correction opens the door for deception. When individuals and societies resist God's guidance and refuse to acknowledge truth, they become vulnerable to the deceptions of the enemy.
- Questioning the Nature of Truth: In John 18:38, Pilate's question, "What is truth?" demonstrates a strategic weapon used by the enemy - questioning the nature of truth itself. By sowing seeds of doubt and relativism, Satan seeks to erode the certainty and absolute nature of truth. This tactic leads people away from God's truth and leaves them susceptible to embracing subjective beliefs and false ideologies.
- Turning Away from Truth and Embracing Myths: Even believers turning away from truth and embracing myths is highlighted in 2 Timothy 4:3-4. As time progresses, people will reject sound doctrine and surround themselves with teachers who cater to their desires. They will turn their ears away from the truth and willingly accept falsehoods. This weapon preys on the human inclination to seek self-gratification, luring individuals into a web of deception.
- Deceit and Refusal to Know God: Jeremiah 9:5-6 exposes a society characterized by deceit, lies, and a refusal to know God. The weapon of deceit is used to create an environment where truth is distorted and suppressed. Through their lies and commitment to iniquity, individuals distance themselves from God, ultimately forfeiting the knowledge of His truth. Deception becomes their dwelling place, leading them further away from the light of God's revelation.
The spiritual weapons of Satan and the world system are aimed at deceiving humanity, leading them away from the truth that sets them free. Through the suppression of truth, disobedience, questioning the nature of truth, turning away from truth, and embracing deceit, these forces seek to undermine God's authority and distort His divine plan.
To counter these weapons of deception, we must cultivate discernment through prayer, study of God's Word, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. It is essential to align our minds and hearts with the absolute truth found in Scripture and to be vigilant in detecting and rejecting the lies of the enemy.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be ambassadors of truth, boldly proclaiming the Gospel and exposing the deceptions of the enemy. Let us
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