DECEPTION
1 Chronicles 21:1 "And Satan stood up against Israel, and Provoked David to number Israel" It`s significant to consider that this is the very first time scripture records, by name, the appearance of Satan
The above passage reveals how the evil one approached King David. The Hebrew translation for "stood up against" is "amad", and in this context it means to arise, appear, come on the scene, rise up or against. Then we have the word "provoked" which is the Hebrew translation for "cuwth"which, right here, means to instigate, stir up, allure, entice or persuade."
Here, Satan approaches King David, a man of God, in effort to draw him into disobedience against the will of the God he loves. 1 Samuel 13:14. Acts 13:22 tells us that God himself described David as a man after God`s own heart. Satan`s main strategy has most always been and will probably always be to employ deception first. Therefore deceptive measures were undoubtedly employed. Did the evil one actually beguile a man known for adamantly pursuing the God he loved? Did Satan employ trickery, flattery, or did he approach with pure subtlety and mischief? What did it take to get a true man of God to disobey God?
Hebrews 13:2, Daniel 10:15-16 tell us that supernatural beings are permitted , at times, to appear in human form. Years ago we attended a bible conference "Back To The Bible" in Cincinnati Ohio. The conference was hosted by Bishop T.D. Jakes. While at the men`s breakfast Bishop Jakes was introducing the guests on the platform, and had just said some comforting words to Reverend Jim Baker due to recent failures in Reverend Bakers ministry. Bishop then instructed everyone to turn to the man standing next to you and give him a hug. I turned to my left and the man standing there engulfed me with a hug, even now, I still can not describe what I became conscious of, nor can I find adequate words to convey what i was feeling when he and I embraced. Moreover, he was humongous! The top of my head was parallel with the top of his stomach. His voice was like thunder yet somehow lovingly gentle. He said, "You are a teacher, keep doing what you are doing." When he released me from his hug , In awe, I looked up while simultaneously calling for my friend who stood to my right. I wanted my friend to see. I turned to my right, reaching for my friend`s arm, and then turned back toward the man who had just spoken to me, but the man left of me had vanished. I scanned the room, turning 360 degrees searching for the man. Their way no way possible for someone human, especially, his size to get out of that room within fractions of a second. Obviously, this experience had a profound impact upon me.
This experience confirmed, for me, what is conveyed in Hebrews 13:2 and I`ve learned that at times , supernatural beings are permitted to appear in human form. It was a part of the assignment for the angelic being to contact me in such a manner, but it was not meant for my friend who attended the men`s breakfast with me to see, or experience what I did. Even now, as I look back, I wonder if anyone else at that men`s breakfast saw what transpired between the supernatural being and me. If not, how did I look (being visible) while interacting with the invisible, yet very real presence of the supernatural being?
I`m reminded of Apostle Paul`s journey to Damascus. Acts 9:6 "As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. he fell to the ground and heard a voice.....The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless they heard the sound but did not see anyone." Although this passage records how the others heard a voice or sound, they did not understand nor had they seen anyone. This experience was so personal, and the words that the Lord Jesus spoke were so private that only Paul understood. Getting back to my experience, I believe it was glaringly obvious that something happened to me, but I can`t tell you if my friend could rap his mind around what I tried to share with him. I can tell you this, that the anointed presence was indescribable , and saturated me throughout that entire day. God is my witness. To HIM be the glory!
Based on the set of circumstances before us (1 Chronicles 21:1 our focus will be limited to Satan`s approach. We can be certain that the evil one did not approach the King in human form, nor did he enter King David the way he entered Judas in (Luke 22:3). This means that Satan provoked (tempted) David by injecting thoughts into his mind. Furthermore, approaching David as a spiritual being (invisible yet present) provided Satan with a strategic advantage over David. You see, Satan knows how to bait his hook. The bait will be based on what he knows about the targets, strengths, weaknesses, thought patterns, behaviors, personality traits, uniquely sinful tendencies, etc. The bait will be succulent!
Moreover, the advantage the evil one has is not just based on what he knows about his target. Let me be clear: This strategic advantage is also based on the real strength of deception. You see, the strength of deception is based on its ability to conceal, cloak, or disguise AUTHENTIC INTENT and ORIGIN. Never take these truths lightly! I cannot overemphasize the advantage an enemy who not only knows his target, but also is able to conceal his own evil strength, location, maneuvers, and motives from his target. Especially while he is gaining ground over his target.
These advantages assure us that King David could not discern that his growing fascination with the ideal of taking a census was being nurtured and stimulated by Satan. Put another way, the evil one remained active and cloaked in deception while simultaneously captivating King David with intriguing thoughts. Due to Satan`s invisible yet very real presence, David wrongfully believed that the fascinating thoughts were his own. Consequently, the idea of taking the census increasingly gained momentum. So much so, until the thought took center stage within King David`s mind. This takes us to the human response.
THE HUMAN RESPONSE
Its important to note that numerous sources contribute to just ONE HUMAN ACTION. The fact that Satan truly had a strategic advantage is just one of those contributing factors. Lets examine other contributing factors that occurred prior to Satan`s appearance upon the scene. God`s people,the Israelites`, because of sin and disobedience had been in servitude to hostile neighboring nations until David`s rise to Israel`s throne. 1 Chronicles 18: 1- 6 records the hostile nations: The Philistines, Moabities, Edomites, and Syrians were all defeated because the LORD helped David wherever he went. Consequently, these nations sent tributes to King David in recognition of Israel`s superiority and power. The tributes consisted of much wealth: gold, silver, and bronze were acquired from each of these nations, (among other things).
The accumulation of power and wealth propelled King David to dazzling new heights. Personal efficacy is a personal judgment of how well one can execute courses of action required to deal with prospective situations. This hold`s great significance because King David did not only experience repeated thrills from astonishing accomplishments. You see when he looked back at such stunning success, especially being the
king who`d been responsible for wielding the superior nation`s power, he began to evaluate his own skills. The reality of commanding superiority over other nations, coupled with having such power and wealth at his disposal, represented compelling evidence, so David thought of himself. These factors in-turn led King David to think about the uniquely personal role he played in shaping and controlling the events and lives of the environment where he lived.
Understand this: Whenever God-given abilities reflect themselves within you, as was this particular case with King David, he recognized and willingly embraced them for their excellence, certainly; such experiences are defining moments. As king, he probably never felt more alive. This was when the evil one slithered, undetected, upon the scene. The Prince of Darkness will show-up whenever humans recognize and willingly embrace the God-given gifts while they are being reflected within them. The question, then becomes "Why?" Why does he approach during such defining moments? The reason why is because when humans recognize and willingly embrace their God-given abilities for their excellence, this process reveals when "purpose merges with one`s true identity IN GOD."
At this point, in the process, Satan must run interference, or distract the one who has become an instrument, and a vessel of Almighty God. His diabolical task is to get the victim to focus on himself, instead of God`s truth: That the excellence that is being reflected in you and through you is given to you so you can project and reflect the image of Jesus Christ upon the earth. This is Satan`s worse nightmare. Romans 8: 29 "For whom he did foreknow, he also predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son". The God-given abilities are given to humans so we can accomplish our unique God-given assignment upon earth.
While evaluating the excellence of his God-given gifts, looking back at how they flowed through him and in him, and seeing the compelling results, King David had a choice. He could deny himself, by continuing to function as the man after God`s own heart, whereby using this defining moment to give God the glory. Or he could entertain a intriguing thought that surfaced in his mind.
Make no mistake, even though Satan had a strategic advantage, and even though David knew nothing about this satanic influence, nor could he discern that it was, indeed Satan actually provoking (tempting) him , David still knew that taking the census was wrong. No matter how intriguing or fascinating the idea was, David knew it was not from God. Consequently, Davids own feelings, desires, faulty thinking, and willingness to ignore wise godly counsel proved to be most pivotal, ( 1 Chronicles 21:3-4) which led to the root of the evil. You see, to truly be tempted, you must be enticed. Any and all temptations, are only as strong as the INNER DESIRE for what is being offered. Oh yes! To be truly tempted you must gravitate toward, be drawn or fascinated by, or strongly enticed: to be truly tempted.
EXCITED BY DECEITFUL INFLUENCES
Hebrews 3:13 "...exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." For added clarity, LAV, Hebrews 3:13 "...You must warn each other every day, as long as it is called "today" that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
What is the deceitfulness of sin? The deceitfulness points to how SIN ALWAYS BEGINS with allurement, or ALWAYS STARTS by promising pleasure, powerful insights, job security, financial independence, control, power, etc. Oh yes! The deceitfulness of sin will always introduce something intriguing or fascinating or extremely interesting, whereby often seeming to provide you with the goods, upper hand, the advantage, or something delightful. Remember that first alcoholic beverage you drank? That first joint you smoked, or the first bag of weed that you sold? The first time you snorted cocaine? That first blast off the straight shooter or crack pipe? The first time you cheated on your income tax return? Remember the first time you magnified your co-workers mistakes, while minimizing your own in effort to impress your employer? How about the first time you cheated on your spouse? That first lick, when you beat someone out of their money? How about the first lie you got away with telling? Are you a habitual liar now because lying feels right or normal? The next question, then, becomes ; Has the sinful abnormal become normal to you? Gods knows.
Jeremiah 17:9 " The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked..." You see, in this context the heart does not refer to the "blood-pumper". In scripture the heart refers to the soul, inner man, will, understanding. Moreover, the bible records 508 times when the meaning for the word heart specifically defines the human mind. Subsequently, it is our mind, that is always attempting to "con" us into something that is not good for us at all. It may look cool, or attractive on the surface, but its destructive. This applies to all of us, in church, or out, clergy, saved, or not. The heart, relative to believer`s , personally, represents, the old me, the old you and will raise up situationally. This is why scripture instructs us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Meaning, we should challenge every intriguing thought, and we got to kill the the old him/her when they rise.
The heart of others, speaks of those who for, multiple reasons, choice not to believe, or perhaps have not yet considered applying godly standards to guide them through life. Either way, the old you, me, or the other`s listed above, are our own worst enemy not the devil. This is not to minimize the evil one`s influence for he is still a very present, active and evil foe. Real talk.Oh yes! sin always begins by being intriguing, or pleasant, but in the end will bite like a venomous snake and will spread poison throughout your life.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE DECEITFUL HEART
Since no one (except God) can get inside our heads and see what we are thinking or desiring, all of us can hide inside ourselves the desire for the things we want. This truth relates to both good and evil desires. This power to hide on the outside speaks volumes. What I mean relates to how secret desires can stay private, while you can move about in public with no one knowing that you either had such desires or did what needed doing to satisfy them. Simultaneously, this power to hide allows us to do only what we want others to SEE so they would believe we are someone entirely different from who we are in private.
My focus is on spiritual warfare, and so, let`s consider the evil. In his book "Desperately Wicked" Patrick Downey writes, "Even though evil tempts us through our desires, we push against those desires as if our very life depended upon resisting them. We resist what we want, but the source of that resistance is not itself a "wanting." It feels more like an "avoiding" motivated by fear rather than desire. What are we so fearful of?"
As stated above, it`s wise to challenge every intriguing thought, and equally important to identify the underlying source of what we`re feeling. The following principles are applicable: " At times we don`t respond to what has been said or done, we respond to how we interpret and feel about what has been said or done." On another hand, we should consider how many actions must be performed far quicker than conscious deliberation allows. Erich Fromm said it well, "We learn to react in a semiautomatic fashion by developing habits of action and thought which can be understood in terms of conditioned reflexes." While this view is correct to a certain extent, it ignores the fact that the most deeply rooted habits, opinions and perceptions which are resistant to change grow out of ones character structure."
Thus, not only understanding these principles, but learning to apply them, though difficult, is one of the spiritual warfare methods we need to employ to effectively renew our minds. I often strongly emphasize how people of God should not allow situations and circumstances to dictate their behavior in a negative way. And how important it is not to mishandle the truth.
Getting back to Patrick Downey`s above statement, and question about fear, the question, then, becomes, are you motivated by fear or desire when it comes to the things of God? Let me be clear: Do you resist doing evil and subsequently obey godly standards because you`re afraid God will punish you, and/or believing he will send you to hell? If so you are motivated by fear., instead of understanding the depth and destructive nature of the deceitful heart, and deceitfulness of sin, and this kind of fear. You must empty yourself of fear. This can be very difficult, but the key to success is love. Scripture records that, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment." This type of love comes from being intimately connected to God.
You see, the fear described here is an aspect of emotional pain expressed as being torment. Emotional torment defines experiences in which abusive circumstances have power to torment because the types of emotions that are stirred often exposes inadequacies leading many to feel insignificant or worthless. And so, this is why many (in error) believe, even though they are true believers, that God will punish them. KNOW THIS: when the emotion of fear agrees with the evil spirit of fear, the victim is paralyzed, or frozen;in essence stuck, and or powerless: he or she cannot escape. While these truths relate to psychosocial (combination of psychological and social behavior) we must also prayerfully consider what is happening spiritually.
You see, wherever you find emotional torment , there will also be spiritual torment. Spiritual torment defines this agreement with evil; a sense of emptiness, or lack of purpose, and meaningless voids in relationships, which often create a sense of hopelessness. It can also define struggling with the reality of God, or his purpose in and for your life. It is when people struggle as described here, that they often develop erroneous concepts about God. And so, once more, the question, then, becomes , do you obey godly standards because you desire to please God, or do you resist evil desires because you fear being punished by God? You don`t want to mishandle the truth. I pray that you gain a better understanding of just how deceitful the heart can be and why deception remains to be Satan`s main strategy. It is through confession, seeking forgiveness and repentance, to God whereby we all can be set free. We all need healing and deliverance, in order to gain and the ability to see things from a godly perspective. When achieved and maintained, we become better equipped for fulfilling our assignments. God wants you to know that nothing can separate you from his love. Moreover, You should not be afraid of your heavenly Father. God always, and I mean always has your best interest. God bless!
