ENEMY DECEPTIONS

ENEMY DECEPTIONS

READ:
John 8:42-47

But I fear...as the serpent
deceived Eve by his craftiness,
so your minds may be corrupted
from the simplicity that is in Christ.
-2 Corinthians 11:3

Written in the sixth-century BC by Chinese general Sun Tzu, The Art of War has been a guide for military thinking for centuries.  But it has also been used by men and women in a wide variety of other arenas, including leadership, management, business, politics, and sports.  What Sun Tzu wrote about military warfare can help followers of Christ to understand the tactics of our spiritual enemy:  "All warfare is based on deception.  Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near."

Likewise, the spiritual warfare that Satan wages against us is also based on deceit.  In fact, the very first sin was the result of the enemy's deception.  Notice what Paul said:  "I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3).

This truth is what gives such importance to our Lord's warning that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), ever seeking to deceive us.  What is our defense?  To saturate our hearts in the truth of Gods' Word.  Only God's inspired truth can protect us against the deceptions of the enemy.  -Bill Crowder

Father, we know that the devil is clever, deceptive,
and sly.  We don't want to be tricked by him to swallow
his lies.  Help us to discern his cunning methods
and fill our minds with Your truth.
*********************************************
God's truth is the best protection against Satan's lies.

INSIGHT
In this passage, Jesus defends His origin and works as from God and not the devil.  Jesus is the truth and the life (John 14:6), whereas the devil is the enemy of truth and life (8:44).  The devil is the very antithesis of who Christ is and what He came to do.  In describing the devil as "a murderer from the beginning" and "the father of lies" (44), Jesus references the Garden of Eden where, by a lie, Satan brought death to mankind (Romans 5:12).  Years later, John writes in a similar fashion:  "The devil has sinned from the beginning.  For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8).

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace