Our Deceiving World

I was just reading Auntie M.'s post on... deception, is how I would put it. I was reading that on my way to my own blog to write a post, and ya'll know me, I just tend to write about what's on my mind. So I'm gonna temporarily toss aside my sarcastic style of writing, and for the moment take on a bit of sincerity.

By the way, ya'll should read that post. Auntie M. is an excellent writer and she got a very good point across.

Lies. Deceit. That is what the world today is teaching us, and the funny thing is, we don't even realize it. It's hard to resist temptation, to resist the world. Satan is clever- he disguises his traps as little things that "don't mean much", or "won't harm me", but they do. The world's idea of fun, and of excitement, and of life, is all a lie. It looks like fun, but it's not.

I have a friend who has strayed far from Christ. He has been through a lot in the past year, but that isn't an excuse. Anyway- talking to him on the phone, he told me, "I'm living life, enjoying it, having fun". But the world in general has it all wrong. Their idea of living, is only the path to complete destruction. This brings to mind, off the top of my head, just a few Scriptures.

Romans 6:12, Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey it's evil desires.

Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Corinthians 4: 17-18, For the light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Galations 1: 10, Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still tyring to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

John 6: 35, Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. he who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."

Just think about those.

In John, Jesus says that if we come to Him, we will never be thirsty. Therefore, we were thirsty before Jesus. Thirsty... Think of it as a God-sized void. We can try to fill that void, but nothing can fill it and satisfy us but our Lord Jesus. Or a craving... nothing can satisfy us, until we have Christ.

In Romans, it commands us not to let sin reign throughout us. I once heard this, I forget where: "For if it is not done in/through Faith, it is sin." Some people wonder, "How do we know it is sin?" Always go back to Scripture, the Bible clearly states what is right and wrong. If you are not doing this... thing... in Faith, it is sin.

Romans, again, clearly states that the result of sin, is death, ultimate torture of our souls. But God's gift to His children, is eternal life. It's not hard to choose- eternal torture in the firey chamber of Hell, residing forever with Satan, who passionately hates you. Or eternal life in Heaven, where there is no sin, only love, with your heavenly Father who loves you dearly. No, it is not going to be easy, but it's so much easier to get past that when you know that each time you mess up, God forgives you when you ask.

That's more than I can fathom. I break His heart so often, but I don't get discouraged, because I know He is saying, "I forgive you. Now get back up, and follow me, and let's continue."

2 Corinthians tells us that our gift of eternal life far outweighs what we experience now. What is seen... is temporary.

See that totally cute guy over there? That's temporary.

See that gorgeous sunset on the horizon? That's temporary.

See that news reporter discussing the murder of a 7 year old girl? That's temporary.

See those Scriptures in bold up above? That's God's word. That's eternal.

Feel His presence around you? That's His love. That's eternal.

Galatians puts it very well. Think about it. Are we trying to please men? I know I am. I'm alot better about it than most people, for the most part, all that matters is what God thinks of me. But I still worry about other people's opinions- and it's okay to be a little concerned, as long as you don't change your image for them. Become God's child and what He knows you can be, become who He created you to be, strive towards that. For when we are trying to please men, we are not trying to please Christ, and we are not His beloved servants.

It frustrates me when I see people who are so ignorant to the Truth. Because I know God loves them, and wants them, and is reaching out to them, but they, in their blindness, turn away, not knowing, clinging to worldly desires and not what can fill the void in their heart.

Jeremiah 3: 12-13, "Return, faithless Israel," declares the Lord. "I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful," declares the Lord. "I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt- you have rebelled against the Lord your God, you have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every spreading tree, you have not obeyed me," declares the Lord.

The only difference between me, and those people who don't know God... is that I am forgiven, and I know that. I am sinners, just as they are. God wants us to return to him... He will no longer frown upon us or be angry, for He loves us and gives us another chance. And another one. And another one. If we acknowledge our sin, and plead for His mercy, His love will abundantly flow.

The world is full of lies. And of deceit. And of hate. It angers me to consider all of the sin in this world, even in my own heart. Be aware of Satan, for He is everywhere. We must always be on our guard, and strong in our Faith, for he is cunning and can easily break us down. Even a "Christian" book can be full of His lies. The Bible is not in shades of grey. It may not say "don't stand in front of a oncoming train" but it does say, "do not be foolish."

Be aware that Satan's lies are hidden everywhere, and that only God's love and power can fend them off. Pray that God puts a guard on your heart and mind. Some books that make you think about His word and spiritual warfare are okay, but sometimes books cause you to think about things that should not be up for debate, things that you should not be doubting.

The only book you need is the Bible. The Manual for Life. Use it as a guide in the literature you read.

Okay this has been a long rambling post about my heart and my thoughts. I shall close now with one of my favorite verses, that remembers me to be in awe of Christ, and humble myself before Him, and remember He is the one to follow.

Ecclesiastes 10: 5

As you do not know the path of the wind,

or how the body is formed in the mother's womb,

so you cannot understand the work of God,

Maker of all things.

EDIT: This is my favorite song currently. Remember to listen to the Voice of Truth, cause that voice, out of all of them calling to you, is the only one worth listening to.

The Voice Of Truth (Casting Crowns)

Oh what I would do to have

The kind of faith it takes

To climb out of this boat I'm in

Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone

Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is

And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name

And they laugh at me

Reminding me of all the times

I've tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling me

Time and time again.

"Boy, you'll never win!""You'll never win!"

Chorus:

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"

The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have

The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant

With just a sling and a stone

Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors

Shaking in their armor

Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name

And he laughs at me

Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed

The giant keeps on telling me

Time and time again.

"Boy you'll never win!""You'll never win!"
But the stone was just the right size

To put the giant on the ground

And the waves they don't seem so high

From on top of them lookin' downI will soar with the wings of eagles

When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus

Singing over me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth