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PROGRAM D-7665

Can you remember a time when you were outwitted? Whether in our careers or our relationships, we can be outwitted and thereby harmed if we are not aware that someone is trying to deceive us.

We’ve looked at ways the enemy of our soul tries to ruin us. He can come at us like a roaring lion and overwhelm us, or like a fowler who sets a trap for us that we don’t see coming. In 2 Corinthians 11 we are told that

“Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.”

As Christians in this sin-infested world where God is allowing Satan to have temporary freedom, we face not only Satan but also his servants. They are many, and they are not always obvious. They can dress up like an angel of light and look like a servant of righteousness.

You know how a masquerade works. People put on costumes to look like someone else, and they wear that costume for some event, but pretty soon the costume comes off and we see who that person really is.

The same is true of Satan and his servants. They can put on a good act for a short time, but if we have discernment, and if we do not fall easily or quickly, their true nature will be revealed before long. I often pray for the gift of discernment, because I have learned that I can be easily fooled by people and be far too trusting much too quickly. I’ve fallen for some masqueraders, if you know what I mean!

We are told in 1 John 4:1:

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Today there are many false teachers, sometimes draped in beautiful garments, even looking like fellow believers who are righteous. Pray for discernment. Pray that God will keep you from being deceived; that you will be careful and slow to accept new teaching, making certain it is biblical. Test people and teachings by God’s Word; seek help from trusted godly leaders, if necessary. Don’t be deceived by these masqueraders!