Barbra Gentry-Pugh

The Heartbeat of DECEPTION ~ THE DECEIVER

March 13, 2022

“Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.” Colossians 3:9-10 (NLT)

“There are six things the LORD hates, no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.” Proverbs 6:16-19 (NLT)

“The Devil Made Me Do It” became a national catchphrase for the famous comedian Flip Wilson of The Flip Wilson Show. His show aired in the United States on NBC from September 17, 1970, to June 27, 1974, and became one of America’s best-watched programs.

As a Believer in Christ, have you ever used the phrase “The Devil Made Me Do It” when you were not completely truthful, did or said something that you knew was wrong? We live in a fallen world, a world full of lies, and deceit coming from many sources, There are lying spirits who lead many astray. There are those who are lied to and there are those who are lied on.

Self-deception is common in our fallen world. The Prophets in the Old Testament made it clear to us! Jeremiah reminds us of the condition of our human hearts. He says in 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (ESV). He makes it clear that our own hearts are deceitful, and we easily fool ourselves. Isaiah 44:20 speaks of an idolater who is misled by his or her own ‘deluded heart.’ He says, “He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” (ESV) Obadiah 1:3, identifies arrogance as one of the roots of self-deception, going to the extreme to blame others for their wrong or attempt to cover up their lies! Human pride always blinds us to the TRUTH. It promises honor, but it delivers disgrace!

The New Testament continues to make the point of our potential deception. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 says “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.” (NLT) Timothy is saying some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars. Yes there are “evildoers and impostors” looking for dupes!

James warns us against deceiving ourselves and makes it so clear for us. He says in chapter 1 and verse 22; “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Sadly, many will sit in church for years, listening to sermon after sermon, but if they never allow the preached and taught Word of God to change them, they are self-deceived. Many read the Word of God, and many have read it from cover to cover, but unless they put its commands into practice, they deceive themselves. Yes, the Word of God works, we must work the Word and it will change our hearts! The Word of God is not to just to produce theologians! It was given so that we would know how to live and be thoroughly equipped for every good work!

Being deceptive is a mark of an unregenerate heart!

Titus 3:3 makes it clear; “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures” Titus 3:3 (NLT)

Before salvation, before we gave our lives to Christ we were lost in our sins. We were foolish, disobedient, misled, and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.

After salvation, we may stray from the truth at times; however, the Word of God makes it clear those who belong to God cannot be deceived to the extent of being finally lost. All who belong to Christ have been predestined, called, justified, and will eventually be glorified. John 10:28, says those who have been given to Christ; and of all those who have been given to Him, He will lose none.

A Real Man or Women Will Be Honest No Matter How Painful The Truth Is! A Coward Hides Behind Lies and Deceit!

A REGENERATE HEART: Exodus 20:16, says “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” In the eyes of God, people’s hearts, thoughts, and motives are as visible as a lamp mounted in the open. We cannot deceive God and no matter how hard we try to cover up bad attitudes, deeds, or words. Instead of trying to hide our faults, we should ask God to regenerate our hearts, so we no longer have to be ashamed. If you are trying to hide anything from God, it simply WILL NOT WORK! Only when you confess your hidden sins and seek God’s forgiveness will you have the help you need to do right.