Day 3: The Danger of Deception – Why We Must Trust God’s Truth

There are many voices offering advice, truth, and wisdom in today's world. Some of these voices come from trusted friends, respected leaders, or influential media figures. But Scripture warns believers about the danger of being deceived. Just as in the Garden of Eden, where the serpent twisted God’s words and deceived Eve, today's world is filled with lies and half-truths that can easily lead us astray if we are not careful.

The Deceptive Voice of the Enemy

In Genesis 3:1, we encounter the first deception in history. The serpent, identified as Satan, speaks to Eve, saying, “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” This simple question contains a subtle twist. Satan is not only questioning God’s command but planting seeds of doubt in Eve’s mind. The truth of God’s Word is being twisted, and Eve, unfortunately, entertains it.

Satan is a master deceiver. In John 8:44, Jesus warns us about the enemy's nature: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it.” Satan is not just a liar; he is the father of lies. Every time he speaks, it attempts to mislead, distort, and divert us from the truth of God’s Word.

The challenge for believers is to ask, “Why do I believe what I believe?” Is it because we have trusted the wrong voices, or have we anchored our beliefs in the unchanging truth of God’s Word? We must carefully consider the content of what we hear and who is speaking it. Is it someone speaking in accordance with Scripture, or is it a philosophy rooted in the world’s deceit?

Beware of Deceptive Advice

As believers, we are called to be discerning in the messages we receive and the advice we give. Personal relationships present countless opportunities for us to counsel and encourage others. However, we must be cautious. How often have we said things like, “Who am I to judge?” or “Don’t worry, it will all work out in the end?” These words sound comforting, and to the untrained ear, they may seem harmless. However, are these sentiments rooted in the truth of God’s Word, or are they simply man-made philosophies designed to soothe the soul without addressing the deeper need for God’s truth?

In John 17:17, Jesus prays to the Father, saying, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” God’s Word is the ultimate standard of truth; through His truth, we are sanctified. If we do not speak the truth of Scripture, we risk misleading others and ourselves.

In Romans 3:4, Paul reminds us, “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” Our opinions and advice must be measured against God’s truth. If they aren’t, we are simply repeating the enemy's lies, even if we don’t realize it.

This principle also shows up in Colossians 2:8, where Paul warns, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” The world is full of philosophies and ideas that seem right but are rooted in human tradition, not divine revelation. We must be vigilant, discerning what comes from God’s Word and rejecting the falsehoods that sound appealing but lead to destruction.

The Need for Biblical Discernment

So, why do you believe what you believe? Is it because someone you trust told you to? Or is it because you have studied the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit has confirmed it as truth in your heart? As Christians, our foundation must be built on the truth of God’s Word. Anything else—no matter how persuasive or comforting—should be questioned.

The truth of God’s Word is foundational to our faith and our interactions with others. When we give advice, it should come from a deep understanding of God’s truth. Relying on worldly wisdom or human philosophies risks misguiding others. Our advice should reflect the sanctifying truth of Scripture, not the fleeting promises of a passing world.

As we walk through this life, we must remember that the enemy is always at work, attempting to twist and distort the truth. But God has given us His Word as a firm foundation, a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). When we measure everything against the truth of Scripture, we can confidently walk in the light, avoiding the deceptive traps set by the enemy.

Conclusion

On this day, let’s take a moment to reflect on the voices we are listening to. Are we hearing God’s truth, or are we allowing the lies of the enemy to creep in unnoticed? Let’s commit ourselves to being grounded in Scripture, discerning in our relationships, and faithful in our advice to others. By doing so, we will safeguard our hearts and help others walk in the truth that sets them free.

Remember, “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). When we cling to that truth, we can confidently reject the lies of the enemy and walk in the freedom that only comes from God.