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Overcoming the Power of Deception

           The longest running show on Broadway is “The Phantom of the Opera.”  It is a musical based on the book by the same title written by the French writer, Gaston Leroux.  Although the book did not sell very well in the beginning, it has been the inspiration for the award winning Broadway production and movies.

            One of the main characters of the story is a young lady, Christine Daae.  She is a young chorus girl, who is tutored by the Phantom of the Opera.  As the story unfolds we learn that her father, a very gifted musician has died.

            Before his death he promises that when he goes to heaven he will send the “Angel of Music.”  As she grows up she hears a beautiful voice that sings to her during the night.  She is intrigued by this beautiful music and believes that the voice belongs to her promised “Angel of Music.”

            The angel turns out to be a masked man who lives in the shadows and the sewers beneath the Paris Opera House.  This individual brings chaos and confusion in an attempt to manipulate and deceive the leaders of the Opera House.  Christine has been deceived by what the cast and crew call the “Phantom of the Opera.”  

            Like Christine many today are deceived.  They have been deceived by false religion.  The Bible teaches, “Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)

            The Body of Christ does not understand the power of deception.  Satan is the master deceiver.  He deceived one third of the angels who lived in the presence of God.  The scriptures teach in Matthew 24:24, “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

            Can we guard against deception?  Is it possible to know and live in truth?  How do we safeguard against being deceived?  The Bible gives the following ways to guard against deception:

            In John 8:31-32, “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  The best way to guard against deception is to spend time studying and learning the Word of God.  In verse 31 Jesus teaches that one of the true marks of a disciple is to “abide in the Word of God.”

            In verse 32 Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”  Another safeguard against deception is to have an intimate knowledge of the truth of God’s Word.  The truth always brings freedom.

            The enemy is a master at twisting and perverting the Word of God.  The Apostle Paul wrote to his young son in the faith, Timothy, and he gave these instructions.  His words are recorded in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

            In John 16:13 Jesus is teaching His disciples about the Holy Spirit.  He refers to Him as the “Spirit of Truth.”   “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

            One of the most effective safeguards against deception is to be led by the Spirit.  Romans 8:14 reads, “ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

            I want to encourage you to develop the discipline of daily reading and studying God’s Word.  Take time to listen to the still small voice of God on a daily basis.  The key to living in freedom and knowing the truth is allowing the One Jesus revealed to be “The Spirit of Truth,” to direct your path. 


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