Deception is a funny thing, isn’t it? Because no one knows they’re deceived until they realize they’ve been deceived.
By definition, deception is simply the state of being deceived, which describes any person mislead by false appearance or statement. So it’s safe to say deception falls in the category of a belief system. In other words, a deceived person is one who believes things are one way, when actually they are completely false.
With this in mind, I want to give you a formula that may help: DECEPTION = REALITY – (minus) TRUTH
Let me explain. Reality is what it is. It’s our current situation. But reality minus the truth is deception. For example, a person’s reality (their current situation) might be an overwhelming illness. And if their focus is only on that reality without adding God’s truth to it, then they are actually somewhat deceived.
The Bible says “by the stripes of Jesus we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5, 1 Peter 2:24). This truth that doesn’t contradict a person’s reality, but it must be applied to their reality in order to expose the lies and schemes of the enemy who’s sole desire is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10) through fear, worry, and anxiety (just to name a few).
Jesus said, in His prayer to the Father before His crucifixion, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Jesus was referring to believers. And He specifically asked God to set His children free through truth. And then He clarified that the only real truth is God’s Word.
So back to our formula, the reason deception is reality minus the truth is because Satan doesn’t want people to know that God has provision outside of what it looks in the natural. There is always a supernatural side to our reality – and it should be our goal to find it and apply it to our situation.
“the worst deception is in not thinking of God at all in the middle of your storm”.
For every natural problem, there is a spiritual solution. Jesus repeatedly told us to have faith in God. But it’s more common for people to have faith in what it looks like or how we feel, versus what God’s Word actually says. And I understand, for I’ve been tempted to do the same thing. It’s easy to pray when you feel good. It’s hard to pray and believe when you are hurting all over.
BUT… God’s Word in our mouth is a powerful weapon against the devil and his strategies. Even the whisper of His Word across our lips is dynamic. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).
I know we read this and picture someone bold and strong with their fist in the air, praying Heaven down, but it doesn’t say that. Prayer starts with belief — “that God is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). So again, a whispered prayer is no less powerful than a loud one.
The deception is in thinking or believing that God doesn’t care, that healing isn’t available, that you somehow deserve your situation, or that it’s too big for God. These are lies that the devil feeds us and we sometimes believe. But probably the worst deception is in not thinking of God at all in the middle of your storm.
Reality alone will never change a situation.
But ADD God’s truth to your reality and not only will deception be exposed, but God is now able to turn it around!
Why? Because He said, “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from Heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, SO SHALL MY WORD BE that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11)
Your job is to apply God’s Word (His truth) to your reality… God’s job is to ensure His Word performs!
This article was written by Daphne Delay who is an author, speaker, and podcaster with a passion to help this generation discover who they are in Christ. She is the author of Facing the Mirror, Facing the Enemy, and Facing God. Daphne also blogs nuggets of spiritual growth and encouragement regularly at daphnedelay.com