Deceptive Anything

In the book of Acts, we read the sobering story of a husband and wife who agreed together to publicly lie about the selling price of their property, their pretense of honesty meant to deceive church leaders responsible for the distribution of offerings entrusted to them.  Contributions were not required but were a private matter of generosity—those who gave did so willingly.

Instead of sincere generosity the couple lied about the amount, choosing to further deceive. In the public confrontation that exposed them, church elders pointed them back to the source of their deceptive and flawed logic, a hidden place in their character where the decision to lie became the catalyst for a horrific unfolding of events.

“How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?” . . . “Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

The underlying cause and source of their deception were identified—Satan had filled their heart to lie to The Holy Spirit. The story’s lesson applies to any deceptive act. Deception in anything, even small things, is partnership with spiritual forces of deception. It’s the way Satan, who is the author of all deception, enters the human heart, then settles in to establish a pattern.

Ultimately, when resistance is completely breached, when the heart has been opened to deception, Satan subtly builds a darkened hiding place where capacity to deceive others develops and a spiritual gateway for further deception is created. The opening is a spiritual door, but not spiritual in a good sense.

To partner with deception is never a good business idea—not savvy or clever in any sense! All forms and levels of deception work against the will of God and never carry His blessing. Furthermore, once deception’s door opens, more deception follows—more deceiving others, and more being deceived by Satan to continue the destructive process.

For those willing—those who personally choose—to live honestly while also championing deliverance for anyone snared by deceit, God’s Word instructs us—“Every Scripture has been written by the Holy Spirit, the breath of God. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness” (2 Timothy 3:16, The Passion Translation).

Amen.

Acts 5: 9, 4, 3 | James 3:15 |  2 Timothy 3:10-16, TPT | Verses@Once