Category: Temptation

Deception – ‘believing a lie as the truth,’ & Disobedience were the first sins that broke God’s family and is doing the same today! We were born liars. Some of the first lies we were told as little babies was about the Boogie-Man and we repeated the same to other babies.

We lie to protect or hurt ourselves or others. Two main reasons for which we ‘lie’ are:
1. ‘Fear’ of consequences and
2. ‘Pride’ –man’s approval.

What will others think of us? Lying causes hurt, disappointment, and disharmony in the body of Christ. It makes people lose respect, creates conflicts destroys relationships. Are Christians guilty of lying? – Very much! What happens when people make it a habit to lie? –there is the danger of the Lake of Fire Revelation 21:8.

Is there hope? Yes! Repent!

Satan is a liar and the Father of lies John 8:44. He deceives the whole world Revelation 12:9. His ‘favorite and fundamental’ lie is ‘Has God Said?’ That means that according to him God is not who He says He is. By saying this he got Eve & Adam to get deceived and to disobey.’

As someone said: ‘The Snake will always be a snake who twists and turns as it crawls. He even twists the truth for his own purposes.’ He used this lie in the Garden of Eden, and he will use it against you and me. Satan deceived Peter, Solomon, and David, and he will try to deceive us unless we are careful. Let us examine the three persons we have mentioned.

PETER Mark 14:27-31 – Jesus told them that they would all fall away. But Peter declared that he would not. Jesus then told him that on that very day he would deny him thrice. Peter again insisted that he would never deny him. It is clear that Satan deceived Peter. He may have whispered to him that he was strong like a rock, others would fall not he. He had caused him agree with Satan that God was lying.

SOLOMON 1 Kings 4:29-31; 11:1-4. – God gave Solomon great wisdom and insight and yet Satan deceived him. How? – God’s original plan for marriage was ‘one man – one woman,’ yet he had around a thousand wives from surrounding nations living in idolatry against God’s clear command. And that resulted in him being an idolater.

DAVID 2 Samuel 11:1-4 – God called David a man after His own heart yet, he was deceived. Like Solomon, he disobeyed God’s plan for marriage. He already had many wives and yet commits adultery with Bathsheba and covers up his sin with the murder of Uriah her husband who is one of David’s most loyal army officers.

Perhaps Satan deceived him by telling him that a little break of adultery after serving God so faithfully would not make any difference, that no one would know [secret sin]. David’s sin brought disaster for himself, his family, his country. And God’s enemies mocked the name of the Lord 1 Samuel 12:14.

What lies has the devil whispered in your ears? – “just a little sin” “you are different” “it doesn’t apply to you” “you’re strong!” Just this once” “No one will ever know!” “You can’t resist this temptation – don’t try!” You don’t need to worry about this temptation!”

Here’s an easier way to do it!”
What did Jesus do when He was tempted? He drew out His sword – the weapon of God’s Word against that temptation and he quoted – ‘it is written!’ Be wise when you are tempted and do likewise.

1) 1 Timothy 6:12. ‘Fight the good fight of faith’ – Fight the ‘lie’ by declaring God’s specific Word
2) John 15:5. ‘Apart from me, you can do nothing.’ –Be assured ‘God is a very present help.’
3) 1 John 2:5-6: ‘…Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.’
4) Luke 12:2: ‘There is nothing…hidden that will not be made known…’
5) 1 Corinthians 10:13: ‘…God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.’

Know that Satan is a liar. Know his ‘lies.’ You can resist his ‘lies’ when you are in the Word, Prayer, and Fellowship.