Beware of Deception

I learned the hard way that deceptive people look just like the rest of us.  In my situation this person wore a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde face.  Around myself and two other people, this person was their true self.  For a long time I was blinded, but I soon realized I was dealing with a devilish person.  However, in front of anyone else this person could be the nicest/sweetest person you’ve ever met.  The person even bragged in private about what a good act they could put on.

We are all familiar of the story of Eve and the snake in the Garden of Eden.  The serpent appeared to Eve and convinced her that she would be better off eating of the tree God had forbidden her and Adam to partake from.  With that one act all of mankind became sinful.

At the beginning of that passage the scripture tells us “Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made.”  Genesis 3:1 (ASV).  Satan knew how to clothe himself in another’s skin.  He subtly convinced Eve of her sin, leading her to believe the idea of eating the fruit was all hers.

When Jesus walked the earth the devil tempted Him at every turn, trying to convince our Lord to give up His mission.  Jesus prayed to his father and had the strength to resist his tempter.   

Even today the devil is doing the same thing.  He’s clothing himself in another’s skin and challenging us every day to fall into the trap he’s laid.

In our humanness we find life very difficult to resist the temptation laid before us.  God knew this.   In The Lord’s Prayer, He even gave us a passage to cover the challenges the devil would set before us.  “And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” Luke 11:4 (KJV)

To resist the devil, temptation or the deceptive people in our lives we need to stay in God’s word and in constant communication with Him.  God tried to warn me that I was dealing with evil people, but I refused to listen.  I had to learn the hard way.  I don’t know if God warns everyone, but if He does warn you, then I urge you to run as far and fast from this person as you possibly can and to ask for God’s help to get out of that situation and relationship.

Is there a deceptive person in your life?  Is there a temptation you’re struggling with?  Are you leaning on God?