Strength For The Battleنموونە

Religious Self-Deception

Many believers have been taught that, because they have the Holy Spirit, they cannot be deceived. This is untrue. One reason the Spirit of Truth was sent was because we so easily fall into self-deception. In fact, the very thought that a Christian cannot be deceived is itself a deception! Once a particular lie permeates a believer's mind, his ideas and opinions crystallize and remain in whatever state of spiritual immaturity he happens to be. All manner of spirits will attack the soul, knowing they are protected by the armor of that person's own thoughts and doctrines.

You may not agree with the idea that evil spirits can frequent and occupy attitudes in a believer's life, but you must certainly agree that each of us has a carnal mind that is a source of vain imaginations and thoughts that exalt themselves above God. We deal with the devil by dealing with the carnal thought systems, the strongholds, that protect the enemy.

O Lord, in the power of Your Spirit let my natural mind be overtaken by Your holy mind. Put a right spirit within me that chafes at deception and cringes at lies. Cleanse my thoughts, cleanse my heart, and lead me in Your ways everlasting! Amen.