Navigating Through the Minefields of Deception and Poor Choices

Remember the wonderfully funny Flip Wilson and his 1970’s trademark line…“The Devil Made Me Do It”? His humor hit home in more ways than most of us wanted to admit. However, trying to avoid the landmines of Deception and Poor Choices is no laughing matter. Our worst enemy isn’t just the devil only…it’s our own fallen nature who loves to co-operate with him!

The strategy of deception is to make a lie appear as if it is truth. It lures you down a wrong path with a promise of personal gain and satisfaction. Of course, the father of all deception is Satan, himself. Poor choices happen when people lack the wisdom and experience to discern the difference between what is truth and what is false. The victim falls, hook-line-and-sinker, for the deception that’s offered. These are deadly landmines hidden from view…until you step on them. The end result is always the same…pain, suffering or even death! By the way…there are no new deceptions, just old ones that new people fall into. So, what are some of these explosive traps and how can you navigate around them?

1. Naiveté. This unfortunate character trait leaves people clueless in discerning evil schemes. They fall for anything and become easy targets. If this is you, never make financial or major life decisions by yourself. Study the word “naïve” in the book of Proverbs and seek counsel from people who can see trouble coming (Prov. 22:3). By the way, the first indicator that you’re naïve is thinking you’re savvy!

2. Winning-At-All-Costs. It’s called a “Pyrrhic Victory.” This is what happened to King Pyrrhus in 279 BC. He won a battle against Rome, but his losses were so devastating that it was as if he had lost! Think it through carefully, my friend, BEFORE you… enter into a lawsuit…or an extramarital affair…or take performance-enhancing drugs. It may cost you way more than you can imagine!

3. The Biggest Trick in the Book…Self-Deception! Another word for it is “Pride!” This means that you really do believe you’re better…or smarter…or more spiritual…or more justified in your actions than others. You’d better sense the signs of pride when (not if) they begin to rise up in your heart. It makes you love your titles and accomplishments, but it’s the precursor of total destruction! (Prov. 16:18).

4. Finally, Here’s the Worst Lie of All…Throwing Away Biblical Faith for a False Belief System! Jesus warned you about “False Christs” that would try to mislead you (Matt. 24:23-26). Paul said not to listen to them (2 Cor. 11:4; 1 Tim. 6:20). And Peter warned you about their destructive heresies (2 Pet. 2:1). Jesus isn’t a dead philosophical leader…He’s the living Savior and there is no salvation outside of personal faith in Him (Acts 4:12)!

But what if you’ve already stepped on one of these landmines or have fallen into some kind of deception? Whether it was the “Devil that made you do it” or it was your own doing, God has the solution for you. It’s called repentance…changing your mind, your actions and the way you believe. Learn what David discovered in Psalm 51 and Psalm 124. Then God can fold the lessons you’ve learned into a wonderful future for you, your family and for others. God is a Master at turning disgrace into grace (Rom. 8:28).

<< Back