Letter From the Editor’s Desk: Unmasking Deception: A Biblical Perspective on Spotting, Avoiding, and Dealing with Tricksters

Keyword: Deception, Bible, Spotting, Avoiding, Tricksters, scripture, bible verses, letter from the editor, Jesus Christ

Hello ePrayer Circle’s Tribe Member, 

I am drinking my coffee looking at the news around the world on YouTube.  People, we need to pray about the thievery going on in the world today.  It is at a all time high.  We are living in a world where deception lurks around every corner, it’s crucial to arm ourselves with wisdom and discernment. From false advertising, cyber hacking bank accounts, to misrepresented identities, deceit can manifest in various forms, leaving us puzzled and wary. But fear not! Through the lens of ancient wisdom found in the Bible, we will discover the mentality behind deception and how to navigate through its treacherous waters. Let’s talk about it.

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The Tale of Jacob and Esau: Our first stop on this enlightening journey takes us back to the biblical story of Jacob and Esau. In this classic tale of sibling rivalry and trickery (Genesis 27), Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, cunningly deceives his blind father Isaac into bestowing the coveted blessing meant for Esau upon himself. With a clever disguise and a savory meal, Jacob successfully dupes his father into believing he is Esau, the rightful heir.

Prompt Question: What drove Jacob to resort to such deceitful measures, and what can we learn from his actions?

Scriptural Insight: ““The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”” – Jeremiah 17:9 KJV

This scripture reminds us that deceit often stems from the brokenness of the human heart, driven by selfish desires and a lack of integrity.

Spotting and Avoiding Deception: Now that we’ve unraveled the biblical narrative, let’s equip ourselves with  wisdom and knowledge to spot and avoid deception in our everyday lives. Whether it’s navigating through misleading advertisements or deciphering the true intentions of those around us, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• We should pray before starting each day against all attacks of the enemy and his deceitfulness.  Lord, order my steps and shake the wickness out of my day. Pray for others as well. 
• ^{Proverbs 119: 133- 135  133}Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. ¹³⁴Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. ¹³⁵Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. In Jesus name Amen.
• Trust, but Verify: Don’t be quick to take things at face value. Take the time to verify information and claims before making decisions or forming judgments. Its what they don’t say that tells the truth. For example, there is a marketing claim that a company’s beans are vegetarian or vegetarian with bacon.  All beans are vegetarian. Its not a lie but deceptive, its not a reason to buy their product over another company’s that sell the same bean without meat.  Companies are hiring marketers that are deceptive thieves and liars instead of people who can sell you a product. Why can’t they sell a great tasting product that is good for you? When people say I found a great vegetarian bean product. They get laughed at.
• Listen to Your Gut: Intuition is a powerful tool in detecting deception. If something feels off or too good to be true, it probably is. This intuition comes from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Truth.

  John 1:17 KJV  “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

• Do Your Research: In the age of information, ignorance is no excuse. Take advantage of resources available to verify facts and uncover the truth.  Beware. It has been reported that some manufactures are claiming healthy natural products are in their products and in actuality, the natural  product may not be in their product or it could be at less than 3%.  The internet is on your cell phone.  Use it.
• I didn’t know that caster oil is a great moisturizer. It can replace some products at a lower price.  Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid known for its moisturizing properties . It can be used alone or with other oils as a natural alternative to store-bought moisturizers. Unlike commercial products, it contains no harmful additives and is suitable for the face and body. in some individuals, so always dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut oil before using it, and do a small skin patch first before using it on larger skin areas. As always, check with your doctor before use.  Source: Retrieved from the internet on April 24, 2024 from  Healthline, When combined with other products make sure to check the label to determine how much caster oil is  actually included.

Biblical Repercussions: As we navigate through the murky waters of deception, it’s essential to consider the biblical perspective on its repercussions. While the Bible offers forgiveness and redemption for those who repent, it also warns of the consequences of deceitful actions.

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” – Proverbs 10:9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Proverbs 10:9 King James Version: “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.”

This scripture serves as a sobering reminder that while deception may provide temporary gains, the truth will eventually come to light, leading to exposure and accountability.

Conclusion: In conclusion, deception may present itself in various forms, but armed with wisdom from the Bible, prayer, and practical tips, we can navigate through its complexities with confidence. By understanding the mentality behind deception, spotting its subtle signs, and heeding the warnings of scripture and the Holy Spirit, we can guard ourselves against falling victim to its traps. So, let us journey forth with discerning hearts and unwavering integrity, unmasking deception wherever it may hide.

Reflective Question:  Consider a time when you were faced with deception or trickery. How did you respond, and what lessons did you learn from the experience?

May Our Living Hope Find You Faithful,

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Romans 10:17 KJV  “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  YouTube Channel Click Here

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A CALL TO SALVATION:

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Romans 10:9-10  ⁹That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.

  John 3:5-6  ⁵Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ⁶That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷  

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