Deceit: 1 John: Prayers and Poetry

                Deceit

                So many lies twist 

                a foundation of words

                away from God's truth

                so deep we cannot understand

                and recognize the deceit

                an ongoing bitterly round

                still He will protect

                always when we realize and He

                abounds with grace and love a

                sacrificed life His path.

Psalm 27:13: "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

False: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            False

           

            False doctrine is

            easy to find

            charlatans  embrace

            filtered truth

            for personal gain.

            Sound doctrine

            remains faithful

            established in trust

            of spoken word

            written on hearts.

Reflection: Deceit: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Have you ever been deceived in a way that brought about brokenness in your faith walk?

2.     How did you react to others around you? To God?

3.     Have you been in a position where you have tried to help someone see they are being deceived?

4.     Were you able to share truth without condemnation? Why or why not?

Share: What helps you to discern truth?

Deceit: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 2 Timothy 4: 3-4

“For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.”

We are not really surprised by this verse when we consider today’s culture. Sadly.

Publicly between advertisements, politics, and social media it is almost impossible to hear truth spoken. Partial truths, perhaps, innuendo certainly, but honest truth is too rare. And when it is shared opponents have a way of vilifying and shredding the integrity behind it.

Historically our churches at large too often fall into the power lure as well and preach only partial scripture, or consider only limited ways in which the precept should be applied. And through the centuries the legalism and control have wounded countless believers.

The Jewish leadership took God’s Ten Commandments and by Jesus’ time had added over 600 addendums to it, putting a terrible weight on the people struggling to uphold the law. And the leadership was not pleased when Jesus kept poking holes in their religiosity.

In Acts 17:11, Paul encouraged the Bereans in their integrity because when they heard the gospel they went directly to the scriptures to certify its truth. In its whole passage. Not just filtered excerpts. And here in Timothy the warning continues.

Not only do we have scripture but the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us. We have a responsibility to recognize deceit in all the areas of our lives so that we can stand firm in truth that heals and restores, unifies and uplifts, embraces and shares together. Not to pursue or ignore self-centered doctrine that pretends to be truth.

Lord, please give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to follow Your words, Your way.

Psalm of Worship: 1 John 1:2

“This life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.

Kingdom Manna

Yoke

Mark 12:34, When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.

Wisdom. The world honors wisdom and within each culture, poor or rich, a standard is marked which denotes who is considered wise. Some are honored for knowledge-academic, ground-breaking, accumulation. Some for insight—insight, discernment, soothsaying. For yet others it is business sense and economic opportunities.

“Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age you should become fools so that you may become wise.”

When Jesus heard the scribe’s response, He commended him for setting love of God and neighbor above offerings and sacrifices. Seeking after a heart relationship before a successful reputation. And the wise Sadducees and Pharisees, paragons of religious knowledge and correct worship, became silent.

Decade by decade mankind’s knowledge grows sometimes at dizzying speeds. How often do we confuse it with wisdom? How often do I blur the differences? Your wisdom never changes Lord, because You never change. Your love endures forever to every age. Your love is the foundation of Your kingdom. Direct me to Your counsel. May I be willing to become foolish in my own generation to become wise in You.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 107:43

Let those who are wise give heed to these things,

and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.