The Deceiver is the term I use throughout this paper to describe the attitude and actions of a Biblical creature known as Satan or the devil. He is hard at work in the world today as I will explain. The bad news is that he has a third of the angelic community under his command. [1] The good news is that he is outnumbered. Let’s look at what The Deceiver is all about.
Deceiver: the act or practice of deceiving. Deceit: the act of causing someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid. [2] How many of these words look familiar to you?
Deception…
Corruption…
Fraud…
Hypocrisy…
Isn’t it interesting how many of these words show up in the daily diet of news reporting? They are all synonyms for the practice of DECEIT.
Lies, no matter how “noble” they might be, are still lies!
The Bible says this about deceit – “The heart [of man] is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick…” Jeremiah 17:9 Man, therefore, is susceptible to being deceived. It should come as no surprise that we see so much deceit in the world today. The Deceiver is working overtime to accomplish his goals. Deception is when mankind – – “Exchanges the truth of God for a lie, and worships and serves the creature [The Deceiver] rather than the Creator.” Romans 1:25
- BAD NEWS – The Deceiver is the embodiment of lies, opposing God, opposing truth.
In Genesis 3:1-5, The Deceiver lied about everything God spoke of as truth. [3]
John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil (The Deceiver)… He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
When the Apostle Paul was called to proclaim Christ to the Gentiles his testimony included, “…to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan [The Deceiver] to God …” Acts 26:18
The Deceiver arrogantly opposes God and seeks to be worshipped by all mankind!
Isaiah 14:14 “… I [The Deceiver] will make myself like the Most High [God].” The Deceiver opposes God, and will do everything in his power to convince you that he is superior to God. Like an obstinate child, five times in that section of the Bible (Isaiah 14:13-14) The Deceiver proclaimed, I will, I will, I will…in arrogant opposition to God.
From Adam’s decision to rebel against God until the present, The Deceiver rules the earth. The Bible labels him as…
The prince of the power of the air… Ephesians 2:2
The god of this world… 2 Corinthians 4:4
The ruler of this world… John 12:31
- GOOD NEWS – God is the embodiment of truth, the One who came to set you free. God has provided truth for all mankind, but only if you chose it.
Psalms 25:10 “All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth…”
Psalms 86:15 “But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.”
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Salvation is a Free Gift not something forced on you.
God is not only truthful to mankind, but He is truthful to Himself. Man might say,[4] “I’m telling the truth”…but only God can say, “I am the truth”. John 14:6
- BAD NEWS – The Deceiver’s resume includes…
“…seeking someone to devour…” 1 Peter 5:8
Attempting to convince people “There is no God” Psalms 14:1-4
Deceiving nations… Revelation 20:3
Influencing the nations of this earth… Matthew 4:8-10
Making false accusations… Revelation 12:10
Blinds minds to the truth… 2 Corinthians 4:4
Disguises his real motives… 2 Corinthians 11:14
- GOOD NEWS – You have freedom to choose God’s way and avoid the “…struggles against the world forces of this darkness … the spiritual forces of wickedness…” Ephesians 6:12
God opens eyes… Acts 26:18
God guards hearts and minds… Philippians 4:7
God provides peace… Romans 5:1
Just what are YOU looking for in this life?
God gives – LIFE
The Deceiver gives – DEATH
God gives – TRUTH
The Deceiver gives – LIES and DECEIT
God gives – TRUE JUSTICE
The Deceiver – LOOKS THE OTHER WAY, PLAYS FAVORITES
God gives – FREEDOM
The Deceiver gives – SLAVERY and TYRANNY
God gives – LOVE
The Deceiver gives – HATE
God gives – TRUST
The Deceiver gives – MISTRUST and DOUBT
God gives – LIBERTY
The Deceiver – THREATENS and COERCES
God gives – CONFIDENCE
The Deceiver gives – CONFUSION
Hopefully this piece has given you wisdom to determine what actually is, “safe and effective,” what “mandate” you need to pay attention to, whether you wish to be “locked-down” to The Deceiver, or set free by The Redeemer. The choice is yours – God gives freedom of choice, The Deceiver incrementally takes that freedom away from YOU!
While “we are all in this together”, a relationship with God is personal and individual, don’t let The Deceiver distract from what God offers – life and blessing!
[1] Revelation 12:4
[2] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deceit
[3] See post – Deceit.
[4] Taken from The Integrity of God, R.B. Thieme, Jr.