“font-family: Verdana;”>I was recently asked by a friend, “Would you still continue to do whatever you wanted to do or make the decisions you want if you knew you were being deceived?”
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My immediate
answer was, “NO, of course not!”
Let me be clear about what deception or being deceived means. It
is
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>to mislead by a false appearance or statement; to dupe, fool, hoodwink, trick, defraud, entrap, ensnare, betray or cheat. It also “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #333333;”>suggests deliberately misleading or deluding to prevent someone from knowing the truth.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #333333;”>Well, many people do exactly this. They get distracted in life and think or live a delusional lifestyle based on a deceived mentality. This mentality includes money, fame, status, academic achievements or a great job.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #333333;”>I’m a firm believer in the infallible Word of God and the scriptures penned from Genesis to Revelations. The Word of God tells us in Galatians 6:7: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” To sow is to plant seed or to implant, introduce, seek to extend; disseminate; a great example is
“font-family: Verdana; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”> to sow (speak) distrust or dissension with others.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #333333; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”> Many people are making life decisions daily in a very careless manner, maybe not realizing that these decisions (seeds sown) now will produce a harvest (results) one day that could negatively impact their lives forever. Our society thinks that their lives will be much better with millions of dollars in the bank, a model-type looking man/woman on their arm, driving the latest sports car and wearing the latest fashions.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #333333; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”> Make no mistake, I like good living and can appreciate being blessed in possessions and lifestyle. However, people are willing to be deceived by “selling themselves” for an image, but may still be unhappy, miserable or sometimes even suicidal at times because they were duped or deceived while being attracted to these perceived success givers.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #333333; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”> The Bible lets us know that in order to really live, follow Jesus Christ in life, Matthew 16:24-26 says, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosever will save his life shall lose it: and whosever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #333333; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”> NOTHING!
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #333333; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”> Don’t be deceived thinking that your way of living is better or will produce a greater harvest (successful results) than the life God gives through His son and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He has a plan in store for YOU! Don’t be deceived, remove the masks (false success givers) from your life and be FREE in your journey with Jesus Christ!
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #333333; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”> Do it today. Now. Start really living!