The Great Deception

"But be careful.  Don’t let your heart be deceived so that you turn away from the Lord and serve and worship other gods."  Deuteronomy 11:16

There is a great deception afoot in America today, and it has infiltrated every level of our culture, our society.  It is the fallacy, the cancer that we don’t need God—that we can do things on our own.

Those who have never been followers of Jesus point to their own accomplishments and achievements, saying, “Did God do this?  I did it!  I don't need God.  Besides, I live better than most of the people I've met who claim to be Christians.”  

When tragedy strikes, they say, “Where was God?  Surely a God who is love would never let this happen!  What advantage is there to following God?  He didn't answer anyone's prayer!"  

Pride has deceived them.

A loving God is not intrusive.  He is good, kind, merciful, and patient.  He is love, and He will, He does bring justice.  He is patient and His justice is perfect.  Every good thing we experience in life is a gift from God--even if we don't have a personal relationship with Him or have rejected Him.

But, why does it matter?  What difference does it make if we don't follow God and we do things our own way?

As a country, the answer is easy.  We need only look at history to see that each and every nation that has ever depended upon God has been blessed because Jesus is life, love and peace.  Every nation failing to follow Him eventually experiences destruction and oppression because failing to follow God means following Satan, the father of lies, death and destruction.

Is that really what we want?

Pride can deceive Christians and non-Christians alike.  Gaining victory over it isn't a one-and-done proposition.  It's a daily choice to be dependent upon Jesus Christ, allowing His Holy Spirit to control us and lead us to obey God.

Have you been deceived?

Hebrews 3:12-14 lovingly reminds us, "Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters.  Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.  You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.  For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ."

Dear Heavenly Father,

I believe in Your Son, Jesus, His death and resurrection.  Please forgive us for our great sin, especially the sins of pride and independence, as a nation and as individuals.  Humble us, Father.  Help us to seek You and turn away from every evil.  Thank you for your great love for all of us.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Goodnight, Runners.