Deception, real or imagined?

Have you ever been the receiver of deception. I'm sure that all of us can say yes!
How many times do we hold grudges against other people because they have deceived us?
Have you ever deceived yourself? Now stop and think about it honestly!

How many times have you not quite checked that box that puts you out of the normal category? Do we deceive ourselves to try to fit in? Do we put on ideas and try hard to convince others that we are correct to attempt to deceive ourselves?

I know that I have done the exact thing before. I've convinced myself that I needed to get someones approval adding all of the justifications I had come up with so that they can confirm my deception. But have I really deceived myself?

I have a friend that is just starting to get on the correct medications to help her to deal with everyday life. But I can see her taking the trail to deceive herself that she doesn't need it. I can hear her trying to get the approval of anyone by saying:

I don't need that medication, I'm perfectly fine with out it.

She is looking for that person to agree with her!

Another friend is starting down a road of destructive behavior that will most likely lead him to falling into addiction once again. Also looking for approval he states:

I'm back hanging with Mr. X.

He's looking for the same thing.

How is it that Satan can deceive us to the point where we deceive ourselves. Internal reasoning in humans is so flawed by sin. It's obvious that our brains were not made to constantly deal with deception. We so easily give in and let someone validate our incorrect thinking.

Genesis 3:1-6 NIV
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "

"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Can you see Eve giving Adam the fruit. Was she trying to convince herself that everything was going to be alright by getting Adam to agree and eat the fruit? Has nothing changed over all this time.

The only thing that can help our feeble minds is Jesus. He is the only person that is able to discern our deceptions and dispel them. He can help us see through the cloudiness of our minds and see His will for us. I pray that Jesus clears the way for each of us.

Lord,

Thank you for always bringing out the light just when we need it. If there are any deceptions in my life that I need to deal with please enlighten my eyes to see them. I praise you for my Friends and Family. Thanks your for keeping us safe and bringing us through another week.

Brie!