Spiritual Deception

The disciples once asked Jesus to tell them the signs that would precede His return to earth. He gave them a list that included earthquakes, famines, wars, pestilences, and more. But the first thing He said was, "Take heed that no man deceive you." Deception will be a hallmark of the last days. 

One would think it would be difficult to deceive Americans. We are the most-wired, most-informed, most-open society on earth. In fact, in history. But everyday it seems we are showing how ignorant, uninformed, and "in the ozone" so many people are. They seem to believe everything the media says without questioning it. They refer to popular culture as if it's reality. They spend their time, energy, and treasure on the most meaningless pursuits and stuff -- tons of it. 

Yet our society is crumbling around us. The spiritual heritage of our nation is being systematically undermined. The essential foundational principles that built our nation and made it great, like free enterprise, individual liberty, private property rights, freedom of assembly, freedom of worship, freedom of speech and thought, are all being attacked daily by our progressive liberal government and those who want to see us become just another European socialized state. 

The media doesn't report it, and when it does, the people don't seem to care. If this isn't the strong delusion the Bible promised would come, then it's the conditioning process that will lead to it. 

Do not be discouraged when we look at the mounting evils and overwhelming changes that come rushing at us everyday. 

The Apostle Paul described our times with these words, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood (people), but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." In other words, we're fighting against Satan and his colossally powerful demonic forces. 


But, praise God, we are not fighting alone. The Holy Spirit in His restraining ministry holds Satan's hordes at bay. And Paul describes how we are armored and armed to fight these battles through the Word of God and the power of His Spirit. 

And though it will not be easy -- remember, it took the angel 21 days to fight his way through to minister to Daniel -- we are promised victory if we follow the instruction of the Word and depend upon the leading of the Spirit. 

And, in the end, having done all, we will stand. We've got great armor. We need to use it.