Tag: Deception

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Beneath the Sheep Clothing

DECEMBER 1

MATTHEW 7:22_and in thy name done many wonderful works.

The devil has power. He uses it for evil.  As we have learned, he can also disguise himself as an angel of light to use his powers in ways which appear to be good. 

The word wonderful in this verse can be translated powers. The devil empowers those he enslaves. His goal is to destroy as many Christians as he can before he comes to the time of his doom. Revelation 20 (KJV),“1And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. ‘10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

The devil knows his end is coming. He blames Jesus and any who are Jesus’ disciples. In the meantime, he enslaves any who do not recognize him beneath the sheep clothing.

He even deceives them into believing they will enter the kingdom of heaven.  

PRAYER

Powerful God, I know Your power overpowers the devil and his demons. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                                             

Christ empowers me – The devil will not enslave me!

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Rulers in the Darkness

NOVEMBER 30

MATTHEW 7:22_and in Thy name cast out devils…

Ephesians 6:12 (KJV), “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

This verse says there are rulers in the darkness and they have powers. It is good to have a healthy fear of these powers. It helps you live in the reality that the devil is powerful and you are no match for him.

That’s as far as your fear needs to go. When you chose to accept Jesus as your Savior—you defeated the devil. He knows he no longer has power over your eternity. Beware that he will come after you in this life with his deception and lies about your unworthiness. 

Colossians 1:12-14 (KJV), “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet [worthy] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear son:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”

That’s why the devil is defeated.

Be knowledgeable about the spirits of darkness, but do not pursue experiencing first hand any kind of occult practices. Don’t go there, even if you think you are learning something for the good of helping a friend.

Grow strong in Jesus and know your Bible—that’s how you help friends!

PRAYER

Jesus Savior, Praise You for defeating the devil for me! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen. 

Christ has defeated the devil and his demons—For me!

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The Storms of Life

NOVEMBER 13

MATTHEW 7:18_A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit…

Jesus builds a foundation first and then brings in the necessary tools needed to build upon it – His Creation Principles.

Jesus warned us to beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. He taught to recognize deception by the fruit it produces. He taught fruit always reflects its source. Jesus’ principles are sturdy and durable. They’ll stand against the storms of life. They’ll stand throughout the ages. I Peter 2:6 (KJV) , “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him [Jesus] shall not be confounded.”

The apostle Paul used this same idea in I Corinthians 3:9-11 (KJV), “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye [Christians] are God’s building.10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I [Paul] have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Paul’s teachings are built upon a foundation. That foundation is Jesus.

We are God’s building, studying Jesus’ direct teaching.         

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, Thank you that I am Your building. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                        

Christ builds on principles—I will live in that house!

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To Snare Them

NOVEMBER 3

MATTHEW 7:15_but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

II Corinthians 11:3-4 (KJV), “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he [false prophet] that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him …13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

It is easy to be deceived by smooth talkers – if you don’t know the truth. The more truth you feed your spirit, through the Bible, the quicker you recognize a lie. 

The inside of this sheep’s clothing is completely opposite from the outside.  A wolf will devour a sheep—so will a lion, I Peter 5:8 (KJV), “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

The devil is actively searching for those who do not know the truth, to snare them.

PRAYER

God of All, Help me know the truth and escape the devil’s trap. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                                               

Christ wants me to be vigilant in the truth—He saves me!

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Know the Truth!

APRIL 30

MATTHEW 5:45_That you may be children of your Father which is in heaven…

If you listen to him, the devil will convince you the Christian life is too hard. No one can keep all these commandments. And there’s doom if you don’t!

The only way to keep from falling for the devil’s deceptions is to know the truth!

Christianity is not about keeping a bunch of laws. It is about a new life with Jesus. Get into God’s family. Be confident that you are a child of your Father in heaven. Ask Jesus into your heart. You’ll automatically receive the bonus of the Holy Spirit dwelling inside you. Any commandment/law keeping is the Spirit’s job.

How does that work?

Remember that open heart surgery? The Spirit changes your desires by creating in you a deeper love of Jesus and His teachings. Love is not about making yourself good. It is about the Spirit producing stronger desires for righteousness, and the desires for unrighteousness losing their grip. 

Psalm 23:3 (KJV), “… he [the Lord] restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” 

How do you get to the righteous paths? God leads you. Why? For His name’s sake! 

PRAYER

Father in Heaven, Praise You for leading me where I need to go! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                              

Christ has the power to change me—He will do it!