A TIME OF DECEIT
INTRODUCTION
A time of deceit is in leading one to believe a falsehood; with the youth and unlearned being prime targets with partial truth being extended. Dishonesty will stare honest out of countenance any day in the week, if there is anything to be got by it (Charles Dickens); some disguised deceits counterfeit truth so perfectly that not to be taken in by them would be an error of judgment (La Rochefoucauld).
A Time of Deceit
Erosion of Godly Values
We are venturing into a “Lost Generation” concept as a time of deceit plays into focus to enhance ungodly agenda being presented as healthy and nourishment towards the fleshly desires of man. There is an erosion of godly values due to failure to promulgate the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God to its fullness. There is an eroding of the past as entertaining ways of ungodliness are promoted through electronic means readily available.
There is an ungodly enhancement that erodes corrective instruction that is so readily needed but being outweighed by the mass availability of erroneous doctrine to the public at large. There is an ongoing indoctrination as ungodly venues gain in popularity. There is a downsizing of morality with ungodly ways being enhanced rather than condemned.
Lack of Righteousness
The Psalmist wrote: There is no faithfulness (uprightness) in their mouth; their inward part is wickedness (destruction); their throat is an open sepulcher (tomb); they flatter with their tongue (Psalm 5:9). Scripture identifies the application of a future setting as well in the written Word of God.
A time of deceit is when the corrective nature of God's Word is taken from the lives of those who then wallow in the ill-conceived ways of the ungodly; no longer hindered by reprove or adjusting one’s thinking through godly instruction.
Believing a Lie
A time of deceit is when the truth is hidden in a flirtatious manner. One may smile, and smile and be a villain (William Shakespeare). A smile does not always represent the truth rather enhances the believability of a lie. We are suffering from an attempt to present agenda that would be the downfall of any nation, or individual, if swallowed as being beneficial.
Such is an attempt towards Capitalism being replaced by Socialism and Marxism, cousins of Communism. There also is an attempt to undermine a godly nation concept through acceptance of ungodly agenda being presented as wholesome and desirable. There is an attempt to introduce abortion as a woman’s right; same sex marriage, homosexuality, and transgenderism, as a normal way of life in our modern day culture.
Tools of promotion include: Infiltrate the press, gain control of key positions in government, radio, TV, and motion pictures; infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with social religion, and discredit the Bible.
Integrity Defended
Job, in the Old Testament, defended his integrity in saying: You are forgers of lies; you are all physicians of no value (Job 13:4); and of his truthfulness, my lips shall not speak wickedness, or my tongue utter deceit (Job 27:4). Thank God for those who are willing, and ready as Job, to walk uprightly before God.
Jesus noted: A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment; for by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned (Matthew 12:34-37).
Every Wind of Doctrine
Apostle Paul wrote: Henceforth be no more children (immature) tossed to and fro, and carried about with very wind of doctrine, by the sleight (trickery) of men (a time of deceit), and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Ephesians 4:14).
That you put off concerning the former conversation (conduct) of the old man (pre-conversion days), which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; that you put on the new man (after conversion), which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).
It was noted that when one puts on Christ they renounce their pre-conversion life and sins; are renewed in their mind, being constantly changed more and more in line with godly virtues, assuming a new nature (character) and conduct (life) in Christ.
Nature of Christianity
In a time of deceit, a Christian should shine forth as a bright light in a world of darkness; revealing the true nature of Christianity; not what is being promulgated as acceptable and desirable rather than adherence to God’s Word.
Apostle Paul wrote: Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable (rational) service; be not conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2).
It was noted that be not conformed to this world is to resist being poured into the mode of present day thinking, value systems, and conduct of this world. Jesus said: You are the salt of the earth but if the salt has lost it savor (flavor), wherewith (by what) shall it be salted; it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men (Matthew 5:13).
House of Deceit
A time of deceit will alter the course God has set for mankind; if allowed to take place. The Prophet Jeremiah, in speaking the words of the Lord, said: Among my people are found wicked men; they lay in wait, as he that sets snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit; therefore they are become great, and waxed (grown) rich (Jeremiah 5:26-27).
The heart is deceitful, about all things, and desperately wicked (incurably ill); who can know it (Jeremiah 17:9). There are many who readily fit into the narrative that Jeremiah outlines; often unaware of the evilness that has surfaced through them, thinking they are right and correct in their demeanor and way of life; with a goal to influence as many as possible to their way of thinking.
Apostle Peter wrote: They walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, presumptuous are they and self-willed; they speak evil of the things that they understand not, spots and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceiving while they feast with you, having forsaken the right way and are gone astray (2 Peter 2:10-15).
Taking a Stand
Psalmist David took a stand in writing: He that works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he that tells lies shall not tarry (be established) in my sight (Psalm 73:27). It is unfortunate that there are those who do not take a stand, having succumbed to the demands of the ungodly and are helping pave the way for yet more ungodliness.
We have witnessed laws and ruling made to accommodate the ungodliness that is rapidly becoming a reality in many lands, rather than being speedily dealt with and crushed. David did not allow any maneuvering to infiltrate the land or entertain the lies of those promoting such a concept.
We have witnessed an alignment through electronic means that elevate rather than diminish the productivity of ungodliness. Thank God for those who recognize and attempt to stem the tide but they are far too few in comparison with those seeking to dominate; it is as little David facing the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17) but God brought the victory that day as He can today when looking to Him as David did.
Ruled by a Few
The Psalmist wrote: These are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches (abundance) (Psalm 73:27). A time of deceit is in making allowance for the things that would destroy a “One Nation under God” concept.
An unknown author wrote: Love America (could be any other nation) but love her wisely. Work hard to cure the faults, the mistakes under which she labors. Work to bring her closer to the ideal that is the real America. Do not leave her to be ruled by a few who make it their business and profit to rule. She is yours.
Salvation of the Believer
Scripture reveals: God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son (one of a kind) (the Lord Jesus Christ), that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord (the Lord Jesus Christ) shall be saved (Romans 10:13). Neither is there salvation in any other name under heaven whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
He that believes on the Son (The Lord Jesus Christ) has everlasting life (a heavenly abode); and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God (judgment) abides (remains) on him (John 3:36). The choice is up to each individual as to where one’s final destiny will be.
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