3)
For if a man think himself
to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth
himself.
4)
But let every man prove
his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in
another.
5)
For every man shall bear his
own burden.
6)
Let him that is taught in
the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all
good things.
7)
Be not deceived; God is
not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall
he also reap.
8)
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but
he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap
life everlasting.
9)
And let us not be weary in
well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
|
I |
n this time in which we live, there is
an all-out effort by the Enemy to deceive the Heirs to the throne of God. He is
largely successful due to man’s attitude of selfishness. Along with all of the
other problems selfishness causes, it makes Man gullible and vulnerable. Both
of these things he uses against us to trick us, and because of our
self-interest, he can present things to us which “turn our heads” and convince
us that we are deserving of them.
“Crafty” is an understatement
concerning the devil. He is particularly fond of those who are dishonest about
their own feelings. By deceiving us, he is capable of making people profess a
false “station” in God. Dishonesty is a virulent, damning condition. For, if we
would accomplish anything in the Lord, we must be honest. People are dying
today by being unwilling and unable to face their true situations. Sidestepping
issues offers a way to get around total commitment to God. We can never forget
that the only reason we are who and where we are today is because of the
commitment we have made to serve God.
Today’s attitudes, and our propensity
to have them, are killing an entire generation of the redeemed. Too often, men
are led to believe that because they are not totally depraved and deprived
(meaning, I have things, and can do things), then I don’t need to be “all that
saved.” The insurmountable problem accompanying this is that one cannot be a
“little” saved. It’s puzzling how one can see his need of salvation and come,
realizing that he could not have been saved by living an ungodly life, yet, go
back to his old behavior and actually believe that he is still saved.
In case you haven’t noticed, the devil
entraps man by making him believe that he will give him what he desires. His
strategy is always the same: to draw us away from Christ and then, renege on
his promise.
Usually, when we hear an admonishment
such as “be not deceived,” we automatically think of being deceived by an
outside source. There remains a greater deception than that which is without,
and that is that which is within. Self-deceit is very sad and pitiable.
One’s perceptions too often come into
play in our dealing with test and trials. How we decide to “see” what happens
to us and what we choose to believe will determine whether we are made “better”
or “bitter.” Obviously, what happens to us and how we handle it are major
avenues for deceit.
Another of the devil’s favorite
deceptions is to get people to believe that they can run from the truth, yet
maintain their integrity. Unfortunately, few, if any, can leave one assembly
and go to another without defaming the one left. Why? Because
one will have to tell a lie to cover why he would not stay under the truth.
Those who run need to remember one
thing: God will never be mocked, and no one can run from the presence of the
Lord. There is great retribution coming to those who despise the truth of God.
One is fooling himself if he thinks he
can live how he wants, sow what he wants, and never have to reap. This game
being played is not only dangerous, but fatal. The only way to find joy is when
you turn yourself over to Jesus. Only then, of course, can we be concerned
about someone else—whether the someone is Jesus, or a
brother or sister. Eliminating self-concern is a key to not being deceived.
In a day in which both great and small are falling, somebody
needs to know that God is a deliverer! Somebody needs to know that God is
a healer! Most importantly, the World must know that our God is (and hence,
we are) above the problems of the rest of the world!