Prayer-Soldier Newbie
Joined: Apr 18, 2009 Posts: 1001
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:42 pm Post subject: The Defense Against Deception and Temptation |
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Many blessings to all,
From the time the serpent deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden, mankind has been the target of Satan with the objective to separate man from God. The tools of Satan are temptation and deception. The evil one takes advantage of the emotions and weaknesses of mankind, he deceives through shades of the truth. The strategy of Satan has worked surprisingly with so many souls.
As events continue to unfold, the struggle may be viewed as the classic struggle of good and evil, but in the middle is the eternal destiny of our souls. What happens here in the pursuit of our lives will determine whether we pass from this world to eternal light or eternal darkness.
We deceive ourselves if we ignore the struggle. We deceive ourselves if we believe that all that is important is what transpires in this world. We deceive ourselves if we believe we can dance with the evil one and not place our soul at risk.
God sent the prophets to warn us, but the evil one has sent false prophets to deceive us. The evil one has taken advantage of those who have turned from God. The evil one has led the deceived to positions of power where they may further the deceptions and temptations of Satan. No one is safe from the deceptions of the evil one; not the poor, not the rich, not the teachers, not the educated, not the workers, not the leaders, not even the leaders or clergy within the Church of the Lord. What better way to separate man from God than to lead one astray by those one trusts.
Does this mean that we can trust no one? Does this mean that even our closest friends, our loved ones are not to be trusted? Can anyone betray us? Though there are many sources of deception, God has not left us defenseless so that we cannot be trusting; He has given us the Word. He came down from heaven and walked among us as man to teach us the Word. He taught us that the key to the Word is love; love of God and love of one another.
In demonstration of His love for us, Jesus suffered, died and was buried as the lamb of God in sacrifice for our sins. On the third day, He rose to conquer death and to light the way to heaven for all souls. He is the light and the way for all who believe in Him. Our defense, then, against those who would deceive us is our belief and faith.
Our defense against deception is living according to the Word. If we live in the Word, we live in love. If we live in love, we live in selflessness; it is the selflessness of love that is the strength of the community of the Lord and His faithful. Those deceived by the evil one, though they may gain power in positions over our lives, their deception will eventually be revealed as their foundation is not in love. Words of love may be offered in deception, but actions of selfishness will eventually reveal the heart of the false prophet.
It is selfishness that leads to actions of lust; it is selfishness that leads to the killing of children conceived, but not yet born; it is selfishness that leads to abuses of power; it is selfishness that leads to destructive conflict; it is selfishness that leads to harm. Even when the justification appears to be wrapped in good intentions, the action is what reveals deception and the path to darkness.
To avoid deception we must live in our faith. To live in our faith, we must know and understand it. God has given us the Word; if we seek the Word, learn about the Word, study the Word and understand the Word; false prophets will eventually be revealed as we see the actions behind their words which are inconsistent with the Word. Satan may find ways to deceive us, but the deception cannot stand the test of the Word.
Our eventual triumph over evil will be found in the strength of the community of the Lord. Our strength is through selflessness in love of the Lord and love of each other. No matter the trials or the tribulations of this world, if we believe in Him, our salvation is living in faith of that belief, our salvation is life eternal in the kingdom of God.
May the Lord be with you,
Prayer Soldier
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