The Fruits of Deception
In last week’s teaching, we looked at three basic sources of deception: our humanity (the lust of the flesh), our prosperity (the lust of the eyes), and our philosophy (the pride of life). We’re warned in I John 2:16 and 17 that these things are not of the Father but pertain to the world and are only temporary. The body with its desires will pass away, but those who do the will of the Father will abide forever. The warning is clear.
But what if we don’t heed this warning? What will happen? What if we just gratify the flesh a little bit? What are the consequences, or the fruit, of our being deceived? How can we discern whether or not we’re being deceived? Is there such a thing as minor deception? Is this something we can pass off lightly, thinking it’s no big deal?
Today we want to examine “The Fruits of Deception.” Under normal conditions, seeds that are planted will bring a harvest. And as you well know, the reaping is always proportionately greater than the sowing. While many people understand and benefit from this principle in the world of nature, somehow, they fail to see that it works in the choices we make in life. I suppose that blindness is a form of deception.
As I think about the fruits of deception, as they’re outlined in the Scriptures, I can think of no better place to begin than at the beginning; the beginning of the human race, that is.
If you can, turn in your Bible to Genesis 3:8-21 and listen carefully as I read.
Together, let’s observe some of the FRUITS of deception revealed in this text.
The First Fruit of Deception is,
Alienation from God
When Adam and Eve were deceived, immediately, there was alienation and separation from God. Instead of the intimate, personal relationship they had with God, now, there was fear and hostility. Trust had been violated. Now it seemed God was “out to get them.” So, they hid.
The alienation we experience is more subtle. When we refuse the truth, we begin to believe the devil’s lies. There’s a growing distance in our relationship with God. And the process is deceptive, as we’re reminded by Jesus’ message to the church of Laodicea in Revelation three. It can appear like, and we can think that everything is OK, but in reality, we are far from God.
One significant effect of this alienation from God is the tendency to focus on externals. Notice Adam and Eve’s response when they experienced guilt. Did they attempt to remedy the alienation at the spirit level, at the core of who they were? No, they dressed up the outside. They took fig leaves and sewed them together in order to cover the effects of their alienation. But God saw right through their outward appearance to the condition of their hearts.
This is a fruit of deception that we must be wary of. If we emphasize the holiness of life and separation from the world (and we should) we must be on our guard that we don’t attempt to cover alienation from God with the respectable “fig leaves” of a pious outward appearance.
Lest you think that I have a negative view of biblical separation I assure you that I do not. Jesus made it clear that our loving obedience is the key to an intimate relationship with Him. We cannot claim to keep his commandments if we do not make practical applications to daily living.
After Adam and Eve sinned...
