Tools of Mass Deception
Subtle deception has been a tool in Satan’s arsenal since the beginning. The thing about subtlety is that, well, you just don’t notice it. God recently brought one of those deceptions to light for me.
For the majority of human history, man understood that he is created in God’s image and higher than the animals, as is told in scripture.
26Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
~ Genesis 1:26
The modern world view teaches that we no longer hold a position above animals, but instead puts us in the same category with them. We are taught from an early age (in school and through the media, everywhere) that we are part of the animal kingdom, descended from animals and have the genetic predisposition to behave certain ways that we cannot control.
Most of this deception is so clearly against our Christian values that we point it out and teach about it in our churches. However, there are little, dare I say subtle, bits of it that have sunk into some of us.
I have believed that some people have a genetic predisposition to behave a certain way and they cannot help it. There is truth in that statement, but just as in Eden, it has been subtly manipulated to deceive us into believing there is no hope for change.
But we know that God created man in HIS image. Man is NOT descended from animals ruled by instinct and genetic predisposition.
27So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
~ Genesis 1:27
People DO have a predisposition to behave a certain way. It is called a sin nature. And we can’t help it, but there is hope! Jesus sacrificed himself to give us eternal life, but he also paid that penalty to give us hope and help.
I don’t care what you have believed, heard, been taught, or felt, there is no sin, no desire, no inclination, no addiction, no lifestyle, no thing in your life that you want or need to change that is too big for God. You are NOT beyond hope. These scriptures break that tool of Satan’s deception.
8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
~ 2 Corinthians 9:8
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
~ Romans 8:37
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
~ Romans 8:32
13I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
~ Philippians 4:13
Lord, Thank you for your incredible love for me! Thank you that I’m NOT forced to remain as I am because of my genetics or instincts, but that your love made a way for me to be everything you want for me. Thank you that I don’t have to do it alone. Thank you for breaking the tools of deception in my life.
Karen Sleeth
Karen Sleeth has lived in North Carolina for 26 years. She shares her home with two kitties who cause her to laugh every day. She firmly believes that a merry heart does good like a medicine and some days overdoses.
Ah Mary! Wonderful. I have also had to deal with the deception of “this is just my personality” or “just my birth order” or… list goes on. While analysis of practical things are helpful, it is He, the Author and Finisher of our faith that holds ALL things together and does ALL things well. INCLUDING lovingly and firmly working out His WILL in MY life! Sweet Jesus, He is so good!
Mary, I appreciate your words very much.
We are indeed “fearfully and wonderfully made” right down to our quirks. And to be honest, the quirks are my favorite parts of people. I was talking to some people at the funeral of their uncle and he was truly a lovely, quirky man (if he had nothing to give them at Christmas, he would wrap up a can of beans) and reminded them that he was the poppy that appears in an onion garden. He stood out and will always be remembered. Quirky people add color and texture to our lives. And when questioned, they could not remember another gift they got that year, but will never forget the can of beans from their uncle!
The really dangerous thing about deception is that when we are deceived we don’t realize we are deceived! The theory of evolution has become so widely accepted that our schools have forgotten it is a THEORY NOT A PROVEN FACT! My anthropology professor in college told us that the body of evidence that attempts to “prove” human evolution can be contained in a child’s small sand pail. I’d rather believe the Bible!
I loved the article about Tools of Mass Deception. You know our children are being fed lies via television and the internet daily. They are being deceived about the reality of sin. They are even being told that there is no such thing as “heaven” or “hell”. Notice all the “foul” language that is prolific on many movies and shows. The body of Christ needs to continue to stand in the gap for those young ones who do not have born again parents to lead them in the right direction. In fact, the Bible teaches us to pray for “all” people. It is going to take us staying before the Lord in prayer and fasting to get our nation back on the right track.
Amen! I agree with this!
Excellent Karen! I believe “moods” fall into this area of the enemy’s subtle tactics. Too many folks say, “I woke up in a bad mood.” From there on they buy into the lie that they have permission to be grouchy and unhappy, as if some random force controls their emotion. Hallelujah for the Holy Spirit who fills us and allows His good fruit to grow in us! May we recognize carnal thinking and actions and choose Christ’s design for our lives!
Hi Mary! Thank you for that great word. You are right and it is a current world view again about letting our moods rule us. “Don’t talk to me before I’ve had my coffee.” “I’m grumpy because I’m tired.” “I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” We have all these excuses (heard any of them? lol). Those all fall under the “it’s all about me” mentality – whereas God wants us to “in humility value others above [our]selves” (Phil. 2:3). And as you say, with the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling, we can achieve! Thank you, Lord!
I like that Mary Quick. He so DOES have a “design for our lives!”