Devotional For Today
Sunday, February 02, 2025
The Deceiving spirits
1Tim.4.1 - Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
I once read the tales of two friends- Truth and Falsehood, who went to the stream to bathe. Falsehood did everything to subtly entice his friend into the river and then took his clothes, put them on, and left him alone naked in the water. The truth found himself lonely, helplessly naked and could not come out of the waters because of shame. When he eventually did, he became the object of ridicule and mockery by passers-by and couldn't live comfortably among his people anymore. Falsehood on the other hand goes about in truth's clothing, disguising and presenting himself as the truth. He became more popular and acceptable among the people. He smartly established himself in the society and became the sought after counselor.
This is the reality of what our society and the world has turned to. Truth is ashamed to speak in public places because many will not listen. He's even more embarrassed because when he manages to speak, he becomes the object of ridicule. The deceiving spirits are everywhere putting on the garment of truth and many are embracing his ways and loving it.
The endtime is a delicate period, referred to as perilous and hard times, when the love of many for righteousness will grow cold. Jesus said that it's a period when false spirits and false prophets will be prevalent. Many shall be deceived, even the very elects will not be left out. The truth has become an unwanted lunatic working around like a naked orphan, while falsehood is being packaged as a royalty, gaining prominence among all and sundry.
The same spirit deceived Eve in the beginning and still deceives men today. He is speaking and gaining ground everywhere, both in the secular world and in the religious circle. The truth of the word of God is available but tagged too boring and outdated by many. The worst part of this development is the fact that the house of God where the truth is supposed to prevail and be taught is becoming the centre of falsehood, extortion and deception. Men run to the Church to find the truth only to be subtly fed with lies of religion and false prophecies all for selfish gains.
The word of God is being replaced by many with human ideologies and ungodly traditions. Many are speaking their own minds and demonic doctrines in the name of God. The spirit of Ananias and Sapphira is firmly taking position right in God's temple. While some are delighted in listening to them, many are being lured because of their gullibility. Some are also genuinely hungry for the undiluted truth. We are indeed in a perilous time when it is getting more difficult to know who is who. The abomination that makes desolate is taking its position right in the Holy place- Matt. 24:15. This is the time for believers to be more watchful and wise in the spirit like Christ. Test every spirit- 1 JN. 4:1-3, study the word- 2 Tim. 2:15, know your God - Dan. 11:33, have a personal relationship with Him- Jn. 15:4-5. This is the only way to escape the trap of the deceiving spirits and their smart agents. Watch and pray.
Further Readings: Gen. 3:1-5; Isa. 6:1-13; 1 Tim. 4:1-12; Rom. 1:27-33
Prayers:
Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit, the teacher of the Truth that I may discern and decipher the difference between Your Truth and the disguising lies of the enemy. This I ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Amen
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