I receive weekly notices from an online neighborhood forum. These include anything from owners searching for lost dogs to people looking for a good dentist. But sometimes neighbors warn others about scams. Examples abound, but scammers often use a recent event (natural disasters, political turmoil, or social causes) to to tug on heart strings. While pretending to support the cause, they collect donations and then keep the money for themselves. Who is ultimately behind such scams?
The Bible exposes the culprit: The thief (i.e., the devil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10a). John 8:44 confirms that Satan is the father of all lies. Lying is in his job description and he started working diligently on his job in the Garden. So, let’s look at three truths about lies.
Truth #1 – It’s difficult to trick grateful people. In the Garden Satan desperately needed to draw Adam and Eve’s attention away from God’s provision, His loving care, His creativity, His brilliant plan of Creation. Our enemy knew as long as they focused on God’s love, goodness, and blessings, they would be grateful. No, the devil had to find a way to trick them into being ungrateful. He slyly planted the idea that God was withholding good from them and continued lying from there. People living in self-pity, complaining, worrying about how everything will affect them–these are the easiest people to deceive. Jude 20-21 instructs, But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God… That’s the key to staying grateful and less prone to deceit.
Truth #2 – Satan only twists spiritual truth. He didn’t tempt Adam to rename the animals. Instead he went straight for God’s words, because God’s Word IS truth (John 17:17). That’s why you never hear people using the names of Buddha or Allah in vain. He won’t tell believers that Krishna is judging them–because that entity has no spiritual authority. But he will tell you that God doesn’t really love you (basically the same lie he told Adam and Eve), or that you need to make atonement for your sins (negating Christ’s perfect work on the cross). These are examples of thoughts that lead us into fear and/or condemnation. Watch for such emotional triggers—then interrogate the thought behind that negative emotion, asking, “Is this true?” And let God’s Word settle the matter.
Truth #3 – Satan always promises to meet perceived needs. He’ll whisper suggestions that appeal to our flesh. “More money will make you happy! Go ahead . . . Cheat on your taxes.” “Do whatever it takes to get that promotion; then people will respect you.” Or, “Keep the best for yourself. You deserve it.” Such ideas sound attractive, but Proverbs 14:12 says, There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. When we fall for these lies, we get hurt and/or end up hurting others. Instead, stop and ask, “What need am I trying to fill? Do I feel unhappy, disrespected, neglected?” Then ask God for a better way to meet those needs.
God’s Word has a truth to counter every lie. The more we learn God’s truth the less vulnerable we’ll be to Satan’s deceitful traps.
