Did you know that the kingdom of darkness is based on deception? The devil’s domain isn’t built on hate (though it is hateful), and it isn’t built on violence either (even though it is violent). Lies are propagated and promoted by the enemy of our soul, especially in the lives of believers. Satan’s power in the world is exercised through luring Christians into some type of deception that prevents them from experiencing Jesus’ total love and reign. By accepting any form of dishonesty, no matter how seemingly harmless, a door is opened for the devil to enter. Let our yeses be yeses and our noes be noes, Jesus says. That is, He expects us to understand what we want to do and don’t want to do and to act accordingly. According to a recent study, the average person lies three times during a regular conversation with a new person. While that may seem ridiculous, the type of lies given in this case is what we might refer to as “social standards.” In order to obtain favor, a person may flatter falsely or seem to agree with something when they don’t. Whatever the case may be, social falsehoods are a sort of deception that, if left unchecked, can lead to patterns of dishonesty. These habits are harmful to a Christian’s spiritual walk because ignoring the Holy Spirit’s conviction leads to guilt, which can lead to denial, worry, or even a hardened heart.

Friend, When you guard against all forms of dishonesty, you will find God’s best for you. Resolve to be a person of honesty and forthrightness, and pray for eyes to notice Satan’s covert attempts to manipulate and take your serenity and joy. Jesus is the Truth, and you will be genuinely free if you follow His lead, emulate His life, and live by the power of His Spirit!