Sin's Deceitfulness

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart

that turns away from the living God.  But encourage one another daily,

as long as it is called Today, so that none of you

may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Hebrews 3:12-13

Our faith in Christ Jesus must persevere through the temptations of this life.  We must endure the struggle between the desires of our sinful nature and the leading of the Spirit.  The inspired writers repeatedly warn us to be cautious of Satan’s efforts to entrap us.

The “Evil One” is shrewd, crafty and skilled in his ability to mislead us.  He often works his harmful plans in a subtle, stealthy manner.  He desires to deceive our minds and cloud our judgment.  The devil is a liar and he is dangerous.

Sin’s deceitfulness can harden our hearts, causing us to turn away from God.  A deceived heart will have changed priorities.  A deceived heart trusts in the wrong things, hopes in the temporary, and only loves what feels good for the moment.  Unfortunately, the hardened heart needs more and more to achieve the desired gratification (see Ephesians 4:17-19). 

Wealth deceives.  Sensuality deceives.  Pride deceives.  Power deceives.

Paul pleads, “Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us live up to your calling and be like you in true righteousness and holiness.  Help us to put away our old self, thus avoiding being hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  Please strengthen our spiritual discipline to recognize and refute Satan’s temptations.  We give praise and glory to your name for being trustworthy.  You give us peace and hope and love eternal.  In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Carl Smith

Stephenville, Texas

The Call

"For this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you leaving you an example, that you should follow in his step."  -1 Peter 2:21

                                                                                                                                   

We see the word “called” several times in the New Testament.  

We also see the idea expressed without the word actually being used.  The idea that God invites us to fellowship is appealing.  The invitation out of darkness is reasonable. The call to holiness is exciting, but when Peter calls us to submission and suffering that is depressing.  Isn’t life hard enough?  Do I have to suffer as well?  Why would God expect such a thing?  Aren’t we free in Christ?  Sometimes we suffer injustice.

Peter says we are not permanent residents here.  He even calls us aliens.  As citizens of heaven we have the honor of standing in for Jesus.  The world cannot see God, they do not know God, but you do and you get to represent him to the world.

Like Jesus we surrender our will for God’s will.  This means we decide to trust him on these matters.  We decide he knows us and he knows the situation and has invited us to be where we are at this time.

The question is not that we suffer as everybody suffers but that our suffering has a purpose.  He even says when we stand the test we receive his approval.

We will never understand suffering.  We don’t seek it, but we should trust God to know what is best for us and the world around us.

Dear Father-

I come praising your name.  I know you know everything.  I know you know me.  I know you love  me.  So why do I argue with you so much?

I am sorry, I want to please you.  Help me, Father, to be able to say not my will but thine be done.  Help me to mean it when I say it.

Forgive me.

In the name of your son our perfect example, Amen.

Paul Shero  

San Angelo, Texas