Many times we get deceived by fake products to original one, there are many products which deceive us to look like original, recently I did see a iPhone pro 13 made in china, from outside it even beat the looks of the original iPhone but the buyer did a tear down video to see what’s inside, and inside there was one single poor camera but outside there were three fake camera imitations.
Same happens in our spiritual life, many times we are deceived to a point that we feel we are living and doing according to the scripture, but peel the inside of us we may be living a life contrary to what God calls us to live thru. It comes to light only during the judgement day.
Satan started this deception from Eve and it continues even now and will continue till the judgement day, Paul describes on this to Corinthians, he warns them on deception and its impact of the closeness with Christ without knowing that we are being deceived.
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3 NIV
Paul goes to say deception starts from Satan himself as he imitated like an angel.
'And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ' 2 Corinthians 11:14
We get to realise the effects of deception very late when we stand in judgment. The same thing happened to Adam and Eve. They did not realise the mistake until Lord asked them of what they did, same thing will also be with us.
In this message let’s look at top 6 things that each of us should look back to see if we are being deceived by own self, that may cause to stay away from the closeness of God. So that its never too late to change our ways to come back to God
Wise and Intelligence
“Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.” 1 Corinthians 3:18 NIV
We are deceived to make believe we are smart and intelligent compare to others it’s a thought that Satan constantly puts into our head, slowly he makes us believe that what actions we do is greater than God
Many times the thought of our mind maybe clever but compare to God’s wisdom we are always a fool. That’s what Paul is telling to Corinth church
Once we realise that we are wise and clever, we don’t obey God’s word and start listening to our own self and slowly drift from God’s plan for us. Arrogance creeps in when we think we know it all.
Humble yourself and submit to God on this to say you are zero and he will give the wisdom to lead you every day
Ask God to see if there is any self deception in you, if there is any, God will revel to you if your prayer is sincere.
Lost to the world
“The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:7-10 NIV
When we are being cheated and wronged by some body and the moment we realise that we are angered to go after them, we fight, for some if the loss is huge people take to court to get that matter settled
What Paul is telling in 1 Corinth 6 is what’s the diff between you “a child of God” vs that unbeliever ? If you follow the patterns of the world to fight, when one cheats you or do wrong against you ?
The attitude for us to fight back is the deceptive attitude from Satan to make us believe we need to get justice to the loss we have suffered.
Instead be a looser in world’s eye, but submit to God on this matter, let God fight for you against the cheater or wrong doer. God may not fight like you do, but he will never let you suffer loss as well.
It’s easier said but hard to practice. Make it a practice not to fight the battle when someone cheats you or wrongs you.
Bad company
“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV.
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14 NIV.
In the world we are surrounded by good people and bad people, some people are greedy for wealth and fame, they indulge in wrong things to achieve to meet their goals. From outside it may look ok as it’s a way to live a good life in the world. If you are associated with the people like that test to see if Lord would endorse what you do is right or wrong ?
Same way we have to work with people who are believers and nonbelievers, what Paul is saying is don’t be deceived by the work of unrighteous and get yoked to them. If you do live a life like that, it will lead you to move way from the closeness of God. “For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?”
Let us live a life like a Boat(Christ filled life) in water(world) , when a boat is in water it does not allow the water to come inside the boat, once the water comes inside it will be a disaster
Pride
“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.” Galatians 6:3 NIV.
As you get close to God, you may feel your really holy and the other person is really bad, this is nothing but spiritual pride that Satan tries to deceive in us and make you believe you are superior to God.
As you grow more into Gods spiritual life ask God to weed out the self pride that compare you against someone, Paul asks us to test this daily and kill the actions in us daily so that it’s nipped early in the root where it grows. “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,” Galatians 6:4 NIV
Second thing we pride about our abilities we have, What you have is from God, don’t pride about it. If your pride is because you are beautiful, remember God created your beauty. Why should you be proud for something that you did not do anything ? the same applies to everything in life, check to see where the source is, all the source points to God. If God has done things for you why should we boast and feel proud about it.
Paul say, be proud of your weakness so that you weakness may Glorify God’s work in us. “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” 2 Corinthians 11:30 NIV.
Selfish actions
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8 NIV.
Many times we say we live a life close to God and do what we pleases our flesh, it’s the selfish actions that invite the wrath of God. Paul calls that as a deception, that we live to say we are close to God and it’s ok with that action.
If we walk with God we have to obey the spirit of God, many time it may be contrary to what we see from flesh.
Ask God to show the selfish areas which is robing the closeness to God and repent to God for your selfish actions.
Do Nothing attitude
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 NIV.
We listen to the word of God, get a feel- good side and continue to live the old life, if you are in that state that’s a deception from satan.
Obey to God’s word and turn from the old life, don’t just turn right or left, rather do a U turn so that you don’t ever go down the path of the old life, and that can happen only if you obey what you hear from God.
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