She goes on to tell me, with much enthusiasm and disbelief, that one time it had rained so much that the woman's entire car was filled with water. The lady didn't know that her Bible was in the back seat. It had gotten all wet and was now wrinkly.
That's one tough Bible, I thought, if it only was wrinkled!
"No, Isabelle, her window was open." Garrett corrected her.
He explained that her son had borrowed her car, and left the window down when it had rained, and her Bible got wet.
These were certainly two very different perceptions of the same story!
Isabelle has a vivid imagination, and since she was two has been the story teller of the family. She often reads into stories things that are not there.
We, too, can harmlessly misinterpret reality. It becomes harmful when we don't ask a few questions to make sure we understand, and it develops into deception.
I can think of several forms of deception.
1) Misconceptions.
Paul describes two different perceptions of the cross in 1 Corinthians 1:18.
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
2) We can also be enticed by others playing on our wishful thinking.
"Let no one deceive you with empty words." (Eph. 5:6)
"Now I say this lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words." (Col. 2:4)
3) We can deceive ourselves by our own wishful thinking.
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 Jn. 1:8)
"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'" (Ps. 14:1)
4) We can think we know better than God.
"Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise."
(1 Cor. 3:18)
Paul tells the Colossians the way to guard against deception.
Christ.
"Know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col. 2:2b-3)
The more we see the treasure of Christ, the less likely we will be deceived by the artificial treasures of this world.
MEDITATE ON IT
What areas of your life are you likely to be deceived in each of the different ways?
Which of the forms of deception do you struggle with the most?
How would looking more into Christ and His truth help you with your deceptions?
PRAY ABOUT IT
Father, You are truth, and only by looking into Your face can we have any hope to live in reality. Forgive us when we look to this world to show us truth. Strengthen us in Your word and guard us from deception. Open our eyes to lies that ensnare us and give us the courage and ability to resist. Bring readily to our minds Your Word we have already hidden in our hearts, and motivate us to store all the more. We praise You, Father, for providing us with everything we need.
LIVE IN IT
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8)
"And the LORD God said to the woman, 'What is this you have done?' The woman said, 'The serpent deceived me, and I ate.'"
(Genesis 3:13)
(Genesis 3:13)
"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." (1 John 5:20)
