The Art of Deception XY

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters…” (“James 1:16-17).

        In considering deception, be certain you avoid deceiving. Do unto others as you would like them to do to you.  If you don’t like being deceived, don’t deceive others. Hold yourself accountable for your actions.

        “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7-8).

        This is embodied in the ageless dictum: You always reap what you sow. You always reap later than you sow. You always reap more than you sow. In summary, “actions have consequences.”

        The Bible consistently warns against deception, both in the form of false teachings and personal deceit. Deception, at its core, is a manipulation of truth, and the scriptures emphasize the importance of guarding oneself against it in both spiritual and everyday life.

        This line from the poem “Marmion” expresses a great truth, “Oh, what tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive.”

        An old southerner in my youth introduced me to this simple, but significant truth, “One lie is the pappy of another.” In other words, once you lie you have to perpetually tell other lies to cover the previous ones.

        God’s word keynotes the final filter is for truth to be central in every aspect of life. By staying rooted in God’s Word, cultivating spiritual discernment, and maintaining personal integrity, Christians can effectively avoid the traps of deception.

        We are to remain vigilant and discerning, as deception often presents itself as truth, cloaked in righteousness. Similarly, in Matthew 24:4-5, Jesus cautions His followers to “watch out that no one deceives you,” referring to false prophets who would arise in the last days, claiming to represent Him. This reinforces the need for personal responsibility in verifying teachings and staying grounded in the truth of God’s Word.

        A great deception results when a person clenches his or her fist and says, “It’s my life. I am the captain of this ship. No one rules this life but me! I will find my own way. I will be my own lord and savior, my own master, my own guide.” 

        The Bible urges believers to “put on the belt of truth” (Ephesians 6:14). The term is used regarding spiritual warfare. The weapons for spiritual warfare are listed. Truth is one of the weapons. Having it at the waste means always having it available for both offense and defense.