I love learning from friends! A couple weeks ago I had a conversation with a friend and she shared with me some things she’s been praying about; and I can’t stop thinking about something she said. God has revealed Himself to her in new ways, she’s seen new aspects of His character, and had new revelation of His Spirit within her, and she’s been praying regularly that she wouldn’t be deceived.
What a great thing to be consistently praying about! To actively be praying against the spirit of deception that satan is trying to trap our hearts with. This may sound like an obvious thing to pray about, as a Jesus follower, but it’s admittedly not one I’ve been in the practice of.
Many people are familiar with the Lord’s prayer – the structure Jesus uses to teach the disciples how to pray. And while I know this prayer by heart, I have veered away from saying it regularly, in fear that it would become merely an empty ritual. My prayers typically have been an open conversation between myself and my Father.
As I’ve looked to implement my friend’s same request in my time of prayer, I’ve been reminded at just how crafty satan really is. He twists and manipulates in whatever way possible, to place seeds of doubt in hopes that they’d take root in our hearts. His tactics are as old as time and are evident from Genesis to Revelation. Clearly, he’s been practicing these schemes for a long time, and so, all the more reason to be praying for the eyes of our heart to be aware of such deception.
In Matthew 4, we find the story of Jesus in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. It says He fasted during that time and that satan shows up when Jesus is very hungry. Anyone else not at their best when they’re really hungry? Hangry is a real thing in our household, my friends!
Have you ever noticed that half-truths are part of the ploy of manipulation that satan often uses? Taken out of context, or just slightly unaligned from what God’s truth is, the hope is for us to take the bait. To place doubt. To distract us from what God says. Deception and temptation. Temptation and deception. We saw it in the Garden of Eden, and the same practice is not only used in the desert, but in our very lives.
Even more, it’s scary how Satan uses scripture to try and trap Jesus to get his own way. (It’s worth the read if you haven’t read it lately.)
The devil’s temptations focused on three areas:
1. Physical needs and desires
2. Possessions and Power
3. Pride
Three areas we can all relate to.
We maybe aren’t faced with them all the time, but in our world, which is consistently pushing a “Me focus”, these areas are common traps we can easily walk into.
So, as I armour-up with the strength of His Spirit this morning, to combat ALL of satan’s attempts of deception, I’m praying the prayer that Jesus taught long ago, with fresh perspective:
“Our Father in Heaven, Holy is your name.
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give me today my daily bread, and forgive me my debts, as I also forgive my debtors.
And lead me not into temptation but deliver me from the evil one. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13)
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