All That Shines Ain't So Divine

Have you ever read the note engraved into the side mirrors of your car?

"OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR"

I appreciate the warning because it helps with my driving perspective. Now I've mastered when its best to switch lanes and how close I am to the vehicle behind me when I'm backing into a space. Wouldn’t it be nice if everything in life came with a helpful note like this one? Imagine riding behind another car who had a note posted on their back windshield stating, "I don’t like to use my blinker." That would save me tons of road rage!

Having discernment is like looking at God's personal post-it notes or warning labels on everything and everyone! The word of God warns us about the world we live in, that nothing good flows from it and nothing is as good as it appears.

"For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world."

(1 John 2:16)

The world we live in is full of deception. Evil is disguised as good and vice versa. The enemy is very clever with his deceptive methods, but if you pay close attention, he always uses the same core strategy:

THE FALL OF MAN:

Adam & Eve knew no sin as they were perfect (complete), lacking nothing, and had direct access to God the Father. They were given the command to enjoy all the fruit trees of the garden except for one: the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil (Genesis 2:16). He warned them that if they ate of this tree, they would die.

Well, one day the enemy came with his mastery deception skills and presented Adam & Eve with an alternative perspective to God's perfect word: Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden? (Genesis 3:1).

"And when the woman SAW (lust of the eyes) that the tree was GOOD for food (lust of the flesh), and that it was pleasant to the EYES and a tree to be desired to make one wise (pride of life), she took of the fruit thereof." (Genesis 3:6)

Pride came before their fall...are your feelings and desires greater than what God says about them?

how The Enemy fooled ME:

The enemy used this same technique on me. Right after I surrendered my life to Christ, I dated a guy who fit the mold of a godly man, but he later turned out to be a wolf in sheep's clothing:

The Lust of the Eyes: "These Things sure are satisfying"

This guy was straight out of the movies! From the first week we dated, he always said the right things, sent flowers and treats to my job, wined, dined, and spoiled me to the core. (This is all in a matter of days by the way!) I thought wow, he sure does know how to treat me. He was very successful as he owned his own businesses and was such a nice person, or so it seemed.

The Lust of the Flesh: "This will make me feel good"

In beginning of our relationship, I made it clear to this guy that I was celibate and aiming towards building a life of purity until marriage. He stated that he not only respected my decision, but that he was on the same path himself and had been for the last couple years. I thought wow, this is a dream come true. I finally met a guy that is serious about pursing God's will! So I thought....

The Pride of Life: "This is the Good Life"

He always talked about how much he wanted to take care of me, that he cared so much about me and that it was his responsibility to do it. He always painted a picture of what it would be like to be married to him. "You'll be part owner of my companies. You can have whatever car you want. We can travel the world together. Don't worry about your student loans, I have a plan for that too...." Whoa! What a life! He was so different from my past relationships. I thought that for once in my life I didn't have to worry about financial stability.

"But all that shines ain't so divine"

The relationship took a turn for the worse! Just two weeks in, I realized he didn’t have the relationship with God that he portrayed (post-it note #1). He began to make sexual advances towards me, tempting me back into a life of sexual immorality (post-it note #2). Soon after, he began to belittle me and emotionally abuse me when things didn’t go his way (post-it note #3). He had a clever way of making my concerns for our relationship seem overbearing or childish. When things didn’t go his way, or if I disagreed with him, he'd cut off communication with me for days at a time, toying with my emotions (post-it note #4). What's so crazy about this situation is that I didn’t even have an emotional connection to him whatsoever. I was so caught up in all the "things" I gained while being with him, that I didn’t have the strength to leave him.

As I look back, I realized that I got played! The enemy always makes your desires seem more profitable than what God already has in store for you. What's even more crazy is that I can count all the signs God provided for me to escape. He gave me so many exits, but I ignored them. Oftentimes, we know when we are in the wrong, but we choose what satisfies us in lieu of what satisfies the Father. The temporary satisfactions we give in to ultimately become our downfall. Don't lean unto your own understanding, trust God's word! DON'T LET THE ENEMY PLAY YOU OUT OF YOUR REAL BLESSINGS! God will not send you someone who goes against His word & He's not into giving temporal gifts either. God's gifts reap eternal benefits!

How to avoid the fall:

"The only thing worse than being blind is having sight and no vision"

-Helen Keller

1. Renew your mind through reading & relationship

The only way to truly discern between good and evil comes through 1st receiving Christ Jesus as both Lord & Savior; 2nd Reading the Word of God to build a relationship with Him; which 3rd, allows the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and to restore your spiritual vision.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)

It is not possible to understand the things of God, without the spirit of God. If the Holy Spirit isn't leading you, then what spirit is?

"The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:14)

2. Fight with the Word!

"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." (Hebrews 4:12)

3. Pray and ask the lord for his help!

My pastor always says there is a difference between struggling in sin and indulging in sin. When you are struggling with something, you may fail, but at least you are trying to make things right. You are not expected to handle this alone. Spend some time with God in prayer and in his Word, asking Him for discernment and wisdom on how to avoid the temptations of this world. If you fall, repent and then get back in the race. Trust me, God will strengthen you!

"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking."

(James 1:5)

"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure." (1 Cor 10:13)

4. Keep your eyes open!

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

The enemy is studying you and just waiting for his moment to deceive you. Don't give him access! Stay alert! Ask the Lord for guidance in all you do and don't ignore God's warning signs (like we do the warning labels that come attached to our clothes lol). Heed to His wisdom. It's for your protection!

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Summary

It is easy to be deceived, especially when you compromise and live contrary to God's Word. Compromise and contradiction to the Word of God causes you to step out of the covering of the Father, which gives the enemy a chance to grab at cha! A lack of discernment coupled with a hint of lust and pride is how Mother Eve and I got in our mess!

Although we physically see the world in color, discernment requires Black & White vision. So when you're in a situation that seems right, ask yourself, "Is this for God or against Him? His way or the Enemy's? Of Him or not of Him?" There is no GRAY area! God is not one for confusion. His statues are clear

and His ways are pure. When you know and walk in step with Him, He will give you new vision to see the world and your choices through His eyes... .

Grace & Peace Be With You

-Kaneisha

Recommended Readings:

"Good or God", & "The Bait of Satan", by John Bevere

Devotional Scriptures:

Jesus Tempted by Satan: *Matthew 4:3-10*