Devoted or Deceived?

But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ (2 Cor. 11:3).

Deception does not come with a warning attached to it. Satan is crafty, and his devices are cunning. Following Christ with simple devotion protects you from the lies of the enemy. You will miss many opportunities and words of wisdom from the Holy Spirit if you lose your passion for the Lord. When you become self-centered, your longing for God and desperation for His presence will dry up. Eve was most vulnerable to Satan’s schemes because her focus was on what she felt was right for herself instead on what God said was best for her.

It’s incredible how selfishness can mislead you. Many “accept “ Christ because they are afraid of going to hell or as a measure to escape the torment of the sin they are reaping. Godly sorrow precipitates a real revelation of Christ that will birth a response in you to follow Jesus not out of fear but out of sacrificial love. For some, church has become a place of convenience and a “what can you do for me mentality.” This mindset is a deception that leads you away from Christ not to Him. There is no denying that true faith in Jesus is the willingness to relinquish personal desires and endure personal trials in the pursuit of the service to others.

Devotion to Jesus will keep you fighting the good fight of faith while deception causes an inactive faith. Satan knows that if you do not fight you will lose. Eve, centered on herself, did not resist his temptation but easily succumbed to it. Keep your life simple. Speak often to the Lord, ask him questions, and listen for His replies. Come close to Him and enjoy His sweetness. Detach yourself from everything that diminishes your passion for Him.