Defeating Deception

The Father of Lies

Jesus, speaking to the Pharisees, says that their father is the Father of Lies. He is referring to Satan, whose language is deception. Since humankind’s very first encounter with the enemy in the Garden of Eden, the enemy’s primary strategy is to twist and pervert the truth.

While God primarily requires us to trust Him, Satan seeks to sow seeds of doubt in our minds about God so that we might choose not to trust in God’s words of truth. Jesus says about Himself: ‘The words I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.’ (John 6:63b.) If we believe in the words and works of Jesus, we have spirit and life. If we reject them through doubt and have unbelief, we will struggle to grow as Christians and walk in His ways.

Defense Against Deception

As we see in Jesus’ encounter, the enemy often perverts the word of God in small degrees, even using scripture to justify a misinterpretation of scripture.

If we want to interpret scripture correctly, to perceive God’s instructions as He intended, we have to humble ourselves and ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in our interpretation of Scripture. God has promised to write His law into our hearts (Jeremiah 33), so we can lean not on our own worldly wisdom or intellectual interpretations of His Word but rather on His guidance.

The Sword of the Spirit

The word of God is described as the sword of the Spirit. Jesus taught us that part of the role of the Holy Spirit is to bring to mind God’s word and to testify of Jesus (everything Jesus said and did in His life, as recorded in the Bible). We also need the Holy Spirit to understand His Word correctly, not according to our own understanding and wisdom but through spiritual revelation. By reading scripture, listening to scripture, and memorizing scripture with the help of the Holy Spirit, you are sharpening the sword of the Spirit to defeat deception. If we don’t read the word of God, it will be very difficult to remember it when we need to!

Reflective Question

Do you actively seek to understand the world and truth according to God’s definition? Are you quick to draw your own conclusions in absence of prayer, leaving space for the enemy to pervert your understanding of the word of God?

Prayer

Holy God, Your Word is pure, Your Word, beyond perfection, Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. When I try to understand truth through my limited perspective, I am exposed to doubts and unbelief. But through Your gift of faith and the Holy Spirit, I can understand Your Words to me and receive them as You intend. Your Word is a defense against the enemy’s deceit, and I choose today to trust in You to lead me with Your Word as a lamp to my feet. Teach me to wield this sword of the Spirit in a manner that is worthy of You. Amen.