What is Satan’s greatest deception? I know, there are many, but what do you think is his greatest?
You can be like God?
You are God?
You aren’t saved?
This past Sunday, Bekah had the privilege of teaching the local Sunday school class. This question came up. How does Satan deceive us? What is his greatest deception that we must face?
As Bekah and I shared our morning’s thoughts, she recounted this class and their discussion. I was excited when I heard, what I feel, is the greatest deception that Satan throws at us.
“You are saved!”
Just think about it! What if what we believe as salvation, protection from damnation, and our image of Jesus isn’t right? This is a hard one to process. We all believe that our view of Jesus and our view of salvation is spot on. But, if Satan is the master deceiver, how might he deceive the church the most? I believe by telling them they are saved, even in the midst of their ongoing sin!
1 John is full of if/then statements. You’ve probably heard of them before. But if not, I encourage you to go through 1 John and read all the if/then statements as a good starter to seeing if you are saved. Let’s look at a few, as well as others throughout scripture.
1 John 1:6 “If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice truth.” ESV
What’s hard about this one is, seldom do we feel that we walk in darkness. But we must remember, Satan is the master deceiver, he comes as an angel of light, so might it also be possible that things we think are innocent and without issue possibly something that Jesus doesn’t want us involved with? Ouija boards, water dousing, palm reading, and séance’s are all things (for most Christians) that are obvious “no-no’s”.
But what about harder ones? Covetousness. This is a HARD one to detect in ourselves. Another might be lying. Ok, I think most of us know when we lie. Sadly, you deceive everyone but God. Yet, some are addicted to lying and don’t know how to get out! How about this hard one: sports. Ok, I know, I’ve just crossed the line. The early church was clearly against sports, and their reasons are sound! One reason; “do to others as you’d want them to do to you.” Can you imagine a sports game where we applied this teaching? Or what about “give to those who ask.” Though humorous, sports don’t just teach good competition. Really? My 5 and 7 year olds know, good and well, how to compete…and they were never taught.
1 John 2:3 “And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.” ESV
I believe that most would say they keep His commandments. I often hear that Jesus knows my heart. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick who can understand it?” ESV. Answer—God. Yes, God DOES know our hearts, and they are deceitful and sick.
So, we must look and ask ourselves some basic questions. Do I love Him? Jesus says in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Do we keep His commandments? Listen what Jesus says next in verse 16, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” When we obey Him, He will give us a Helper, the Holy Spirit! But notice that we must first obey. This topic of obedience can get very deep as scripture, both Old and New Testaments, are full of commands to obey. I might address more of these in another post.
This statement condemned me, “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is no in him.” 1 John 2:15 ESV. I loved this world, money, my growing retirement, my car(s), camera, iPhone, etc. These things were “dear” to me. I mean…these things were important. I worked to achieve them. I studied them. I tried to build them. Often needing the next upgrade or model. Honestly, this is covetousness! But even more, these things took my time from Him. Studying Him. Learning about Him. Talking with Him. And striving towards Him.
We are told in Matthew 6:33 to, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Do you do that? What is seeking His Kingdom mean? I had never thought about that before. God’s Kingdom. Really? Seek Heaven? Seek His “home” above all things?
No, when Jesus is speaking about His Kingdom, he’s talking about a way of living. Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). He says this two times in this one verse! He means it quite seriously. His Kingdom transforms us. Being born again is like saying your earthly parents and upraising is all erased. All you habits, poor training, awful life experiences, and everything associated to this world is no longer part of you! You have a new Father!
But this is where many stop. We “get born again” but forget that we must change our ways. Yes, we are spiritually removed from the kingdoms of this world and the darkness of it, and transplanted into His Kingdom. Jesus talks about this in John 15 and how we are put onto His vine.
When we are born again, we have the power of His Spirit working in us! But, as mentioned above, we must be in obedience to receive this Spirit. This Spirit of power enables us, empowers us, to overcome sin and temptation. Hebrews 12:4 asks, “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” Yes, we are to resist to the point of shedding blood.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 ESV
Did you see the key statement first? We must first submit ourselves to God. This doesn’t mean a simple “Hey, ya, God….uh, well, I believe. I said this prayer…so now I’m submitted.” It means a devotion, a dedication, a full surrender of your life, all that you have, all that you own, your home, your car, your wife, children, father, mother, and yes, even your own life! Matthew 19:29 says that if we do these things, we will receive 100 fold and will inherit eternal life. You’ll see it again in Mark 10:29-30.
But, praise God, if we have submitted ourselves to Him, we can resist the devil and HE WILL FLEE from you! No, not “he might” or “he could”, but “he will flee from you.” AMEN!
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
“Let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.” 1 John 3:7 ESV
You can be set free from sin. You don’t have to carry that yoke of bondage any longer! You can be righteous. You can be set free. And, yes, you can live “just one day” without sin! I didn’t think this would ever be possible. But it is! AMEN! Jesus is coming back for a bride without spot or wrinkle! He will not allow sinners into heaven who have not repented, turned from their evil ways, and received Christ with their whole heart, in surrender to Him.
If you have found this topic stirring and you want more information, I’d welcome a personal message from you! You can contact us through the Contact Us link above. Just include in the body of the message “Message for Tim and Rebekah” and we’ll get it.
I pray that you continue to seek after Him, His Kingdom, and resist the devil! You are promised, by God, that if you resist him, you will find freedom! But, this can only be done through the power of the Spirit to those that obey Him.
May the Lord richly bless you!
Tim
<Consider supporting the Nafzigers on a onetime or continual basis. Departure date is set for Jan 26, 2015. 100% of your donation go directly to the Nafzigers>