A TIME OF DECEIT
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INTRODUCTION
A time of deceit is in leading one to believe a falsehood; with the youth and unlearned being prime candidates with partial true statements being promulgated.
It was noted that dishonesty will stare honesty 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
Lost Generation
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 for the fleshly desires of man. There is an erosion of godly values in a failure to promulgate the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God to its fullness. There is erosion of the past as entertaining ways of ungodliness are promoted through electronic means readily available in our modern day setting.
There is a serve ability method of enhancement that erodes corrective instruction so readily needed being outweighed by the mass available of erroneous doctrine to the public at large. There is an indoctrination of the youth, at a young and teachable moment that would shape the future of a nation, as ungodly venues gain in popularity! There is a downsizing of morality with ungodly ways being enhanced rather than condemned.
No Uprightness
The Psalmist noted: 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). God’s Word identifies the frail ability of mankind in a future setting as if the words were penned in that generation!
A time of deceit is when the corrective nature of God’s Word is taken from the lives of those who wallow in the ill-conceived ways of the ungodly; unhindered by any reprove or attempt to correct or adjust one’s thinking along godly lines.
Apostle Paul gave the sense of how such should be accomplished: In meekness instruct those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledgement of the truth; that they may recover themselves (come to their senses) out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at (to do) his will (2 Timothy 2:25-26).
Believability of a Lie
A time of deceit is when the truth is hidden in a flirtatious manner. One man noted: 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; if swallowed as being the truth.
There is an attempt to dwarf Capitalism with Socialism and Marxism, cousins of Communism. There 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 way of life in our modern day culture.
The tools of promotion include: Discredit family as an institution; control of the schools to use as tools for promoting ungodly agenda; break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography in books, magazines, motion pictures, and TV; 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.
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, to walk uprightly before God!
Jesus gave the difference: O generation of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 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 believers), tossed to and fro, and carried about with every 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). 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).
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! It is unfortunate such truth, is being camouflaged, to make way for worldly attributes rather than sanctification (set apart unto God), righteousness (doing what is right before God), and holiness (without which no man shall see God – Hebrews 12:14).
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 imposed agenda being promulgated as acceptable and desirable rather than adherence with God’s Word! Apostle Paul wrote: Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto 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
thinking, value systems, and conduct of this world. Jesus said: You (believer’s) are the salt of
the earth but if the salt has lost its 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).
Houses Full 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, noted: 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 waxen (grown) rich (Jeremiah 5:26-27).
The heart is deceitful, above all things, and desperately wicked (incurably ill); who can know it (Jeremiah 17:9). There are many today who readily fit in 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 noted the characteristics of such: 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).
Demands of the Ungodly
The Psalmist David took a stand: 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 rather than take a stand, many have succumbed to the demands of the ungodly and are helping pave the way for yet more ungodliness!
We are seeing laws and rulings made to accommodate the ungodliness that is rapidly becoming a reality in the land, 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 are witnessing a visual alignment through electronic means that elevate rather than diminish the productivity of ungodliness. Thank God for those who recognize and attempt to stamp out such but are far too few in comparison with those seeking to dominate mankind; it is as little David facing the giant Goliath!
Ruled by a Few
The Psalmist noted: These are the ungodly, who prosper (always at ease) in the world; they increase in riches (abundance) (Psalm 73:27). A time of deceit is in making allowance of 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!
Another wrote of the things that will destroy us: Politics without principle, pleasure without conscience, wealth without work, knowledge without character, business without morality, science without humanity, and worship without sacrifice. Voices of the past have been uttered towards the betterment of mankind; yet have been buried in obscurity by present day promoting of the things that would destroy us.
Salvation to the Believer
Scripture reveals: God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son (the Lord Jesus Christ), that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Apostle John wrote: He that believes on the Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) has everlasting life; and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides (remains) on him (John 3:36).
There are many
floating on the concept that God is love; which is true but the New Testament bears
out that one is to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear; for our
God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:28-29).
Today He our Savior (through Jesus Christ) but tomorrow our judge! Scripture reveals: It is appointed unto men
once to die but after this judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
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