30 Days Defeating the Arch-Enemy of Our Finances (Mammon)ናሙና

RESISTING DECEPTION

The devil is the father of lies. His specialty is deception, delusion, manipulation, and seduction. That's how he acts. Beware of the serpent's voice. Beware, for example, of promised financial returns that are too good to be true. Risky is one thing, but “too good to be true” is another. Many people have lost large sums, enticed by grandiose returns, and in the end they lost everything. Few would admit that they listened to Mammon, but the fact is that the Devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). That's how Mammon acts. He is thirsty and hungry to destroy finances. Often Mammon will grow your money quickly, but then will destroy you. Or, sometimes the apparent prosperity continues, but eventual financial ruin is inevitable. Mammon is tireless and uses many forms of deception to seduce, imprison, suffocate, and even kill. But we serve God, not Mammon, and we believe in the Father's promises and truth.

The closer you are to God, the less likely you are to give in to Mammon. Maybe you're someone who has swindled people, lost their investments, and then ran away from your responsibility. Even if at the time, you were not a Christian and had no notion of right and wrong, you must stop running away. Own up to your mistakes and count on God's grace to help you. Do you know the story of Zacchaeus? He took responsibility for what he did to people and sought to repay them. Jesus praised Zacchaeus’ attitude.

If you have been the victim of a scam, you need to understand your part of the story and open your heart to learn from your mistake. Forgive the person or people who wronged you and you will walk toward better days. Don't let a financial loss, no matter how great, paralyze you! Pain matures you! If you have been wronged, the most important thing is to at all costs avoid the seductions of the serpent. We must cut evil off at the root! As Pastor Carlito Paes says, "The Devil will not convert, so we know what to expect from him." Remember, easy money doesn't exist!

Remember: We must protect our heart from the temptation of easy, fast, and “too good to be true” money. The devil is the father of lies!