[Discoveries] 03-23-07 Deception

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*... they treated you as enemies when they deceived you ... -- Numbers 
25:18*/

The enemies of God's people were looking for a way to destroy Israel. 
War didn't work. Sihon and Og fought against Israel and lost everything. 
Strike one. Since they couldn't fight them, they tried a different 
strategy: cursing them. It seemed like a cheap but effective solution. 
Get Balaam to curse Israel. But that didn't work either. You know the 
story -- God sent an angel, the donkey's mouth was opened, and Balaam 
blessed instead of cursing. Strike two.

The enemies had no intention of striking out, so they went back to the 
drawing board, and started figuring it out. As long as the Israelites 
were connected to their God, they were indestructible. If they were 
going to subdue Israel, they must come up with a way to drive a wedge 
between the people and their God. Here's what they came up with: 
immorality and idolatry. From the enemy's point of view, immorality is 
the perfect introduction to idolatry because it can seem so attractive 
and enticing.

All of this, of course, is based on deception. What's the lie? We can 
start with: "Your God is depriving you. My god will give you anything 
you want."

99% of the time or more, sin doesn't work without deception. The enemy's 
biggest job is to give us a warped view of God, of ourselves and of our 
world. Once we are deceived, sin makes sense. It seems desirable, even 
honorable.

But we can use our knowledge of the enemy's strategy against him. When 
we desire what is evil, do some detective work. Find the lies. Take them 
to Jesus. He is the truth, and the truth will set us free.

Be encouraged!
Dwight


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