I spent the morning with a young woman whose life has been turned inside out by a deceiver! To all appearances, the man was a Christian, concerned about serving others, generous, and ready to make a difference in the world. He befriended her, gave her gifts, and played up his meager accomplishments so he appeared to be a person headed for greatness. After he had gained access to her trust, he manipulated her into a significant financial deal. Then, he took off with the goods. He stole more than her money. He took away her ability to trust others, destroyed her self-confidence, and left a great deal of sorrow in the lives of several people.
Have you ever been deceived? It is a fairly common experience. We all encounter people that try to appear to be someone or something other than who they really are. Some are just harmless posers, wanna-be's who are playing a role. That is a stage that most of go through on our way to adulthood. We dress like a favorite actor or musician, adopt the mannerisms of a celebrity, or take on the persona of the coolest person we know. Almost all of us grow out of that stage as we leave our teens years behind and discover our own identity. But there are those who are incapable of being truthful with themselves, who refuse to do the hard work of making a real life for themselves, that become instruments of evil as they live a lie. Their lives are like a movie set; illusions made only of fabrications, boasts, and superficial appearance. They contribute nothing to others and drain away resources - financial, emotional, and relational- from all those with whom they have interactions.
Jesus describes such people as being just like their father! "For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. . . . He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44, NLT) What does the Evil One do? He destroys. He takes. He consumes. The words associated with him are darkness and death! Contrast that with what we find in the One who is Truth Personified! Jesus says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life!" What does He do? He builds up. He gives. He enriches those who love Him and His words. In Him there is Light and Life!
That, dear Believer, is why I love the Truth and despise even the smallest falsehood, the most 'harmless' pretense. The truth, even when it leads to disclosure of what is ugly, is always to be preferred to a lie! When we love the Truth and tell the truth- to ourselves and to others - God is able to change our hearts and minds. As we confess (say the same thing about them as He says) our sins to Him, we not only find forgiveness. We find cleansing and power to live a new life.
Are you an immature poser, a wanna-be who is trying to be somebody you're not? Grow up in Christ. Stop playing silly religious games and do the work of spiritual disciplines that allow you to become a mature Believer, full of the Spirit, who builds the Kingdom of God in the world.
Are you a deceiver, lying and living in a world of deception? I fear for you! It is oh so easy to get lost in the maze of mirrors that a life of lies creates. Fall on your knees and tell the Lord you need to be led to freedom. Tell him that you can't trust your own heart. Ask Him to send His Truth. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:12-13, NIV)
Here's a word of Truth. Meditate on it today.
"Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." (James 1:22-25, NLT)
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