How often in life do we discover that “all is not as it appears” and that information, people, places and situations are not in fact what they look like?
Sometimes we are deceived and fooled into believing things that are not true because of what is presented to us and can’t see or hear truth over lies. People appear one way, but they are not being who they really are, others say things, but their words are full of deception. Businesses, holiday destinations and those selling their wares post pictures, but what you find when you arrive or buy their goods is that they look nothing like what was initially presented to you.
The reason for all not being as it appears is that before there was the TV and Hollywood there was a master of both illusion and deception – the devil. Illusionists major in the art of optical illusion as they divert your attention away from what’s really happening, so that they can implement their tricks and make something that is not real appear real.
The devil uses similar techniques as he first appeared to mankind as a serpent -an illusion; when he deceived and tricked both Adam and Eve into believing he was merely looking out for them, and as a result this caused them to question whether God had their best interests on His heart. (Genesis 3:3-5)
The devil hasn’t changed much and Jesus called him for what he is when he called him the Father of lies, with no good in him. (John 8:44) The devil deals in fear and his main weapon is deception. Someone has said that fear is an acronym for: False Evidence Appearing Real, and that sums it up fairly well.
But Jesus said, “Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you ”. (Luke 10:19)
“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross”. (Colossians 2:15)
The devil has no way to hurt or destroy us except what we give him permission to do. He takes something that may look like facts, but is not truth and attempts to get us to believe it. A Doctors report, our family history, the bad news press, people’s negative words; they may contain facts, but our enemy who is behind the illusion and “bad news” knows that facts must give way to the truth. If he can get us to believe his intimidation and lies we essentially will destroy ourselves. How? Because we will be intimidated into giving up on our hopes, dreams and the promises of God. Instead we will walk away grieving at what was lost and settle for far less than God ever planned for us.
Today, I encourage you to seek wisdom and God who does not change like shifting shadows. What he says, He will do. He will reveal the truth and change the facts to line up with what He says. If you ask, He will help you to see and hear the truth over lies and lead you in the way you should go.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you”. (James 1:5)
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows ” (James 1:7)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever ”. (Hebrews 13:8)
Prayer: Lord I ask that you give me wisdom and discernment so that I will no longer be “taken in”, and deceived by situations or people who are not what they appear. Please help me Lord to seek and know the truth so that I can be secure in the knowledge that all is in fact what it is. In Jesus name Amen.
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