The Truth About Deception

John 8:32” And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Sir Walter Scott, "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive." The Bible says the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Since this is true, none of us are above deception. If we think we are, then we’re deceived already. At one time or another, we've found ourselves caught in a web of deception of our own making.

During the past year the media has brought news of various forms of deception in extra marital and illicit affairs, extortion, ponzi schemes and wrongdoings by some well known persons and others who are not so well known.

Simply put we are just too concerned about ourselves and not enough about the hearts of others and the character of God. One of the clearest proofs of this is our deceitfulness toward others. In addition, we depend upon our own methods of preservation or acquisition rather than depending upon God to deliver us through the truth and give us what we need through our honesty. Jesus declared in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

The consequences of telling the truth often seem too threatening compared to living a lie or too limiting if we don't "stretch the truth" to get what we want. Unfortunately, we seldom anticipate the real cost of our deceit when the truth finally is known; and it usually becomes known; at the worst possible time. And the cost of the deception ends up being very high.

However, the most dangerous part of the deception is getting away with it. The lie steals a part of us, depriving those we deceive of seeing the real us and creating a wedge in our relationship that robs each side of genuine intimacy. As the web of deceit grows, it touches more and more aspects of the relationship until the very foundation of the friendship, marriage, contract, fellowship, or partnership is entangled in the deceit and the very foundation of the relationship is threatened. Even if our deceit is never discovered we are damaged and become selfish and abusive people who fear no consequence.

Eph 4:25-26 “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” Choose today to be truthful from this day forward. Don’t start deception. God is truth and he does not lie. He placed his principles in HIS word so we would live prosperous lives and be in peace and harmony with each other. When someone confesses their deception and asks for forgiveness, as hard as it may be we must forgive, it is the will of our Father. If long term deceit is revealed it may take the help of a counselor to help bear the weight of the crushing weight of the secret or deception.

“The cruelest lies are often told in silence”. - Robert Louis Stevenson. We can’t blame all this deception on the devil. Nor can we be ignorant to his devices. Part of the enemy’s job is to find and exploit the idolatry in our hearts: the deceitfulness of riches, the pride of life, the lust of the flesh, or anything else that causes us to give God’s place to another. Once Satan finds that idolatry he will tempt you with it. At that point we have a clear choice: we can walk in darkness and deceit or walk in the light. And you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. “Speak the truth in Love” ~ The Bible. God loves you and so do I…Pastor Tammy