The sin that creeps in.

Have you noticed it creeping in?  You don’t feel it coming, and then all of a sudden, it shows its ugly face, and you realize that you have been deceived; that something you thought was ok, or maybe even thought was actually “good” – ended up in sin.

Really, I should already know this!  We’ve all heard the story of the frog in the pot; where the frog will jump right out of a pot of boiling water (known sin), but will settle in lukewarm water, and even when the water begins to boil and the frog gets cooked, he doesn’t notice because the heat rose so gradually -- just like we don’t see the sin that is slowly creeping into our lives. The point being, if it creeps in slow enough – there is potential for any of us being deceived.

So, can we protect ourselves from deception?  And what exactly is it that is deceiving us?  The Bible warns us of several things that can deceive us.  Satan is one, but that’s not all we are up against!  Our own hearts are deceitful: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” - Jeremiah 17:9

This world and wealth is deceitful: “The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.” - Matthew 13:22  And our own human nature is deceitful: ^“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22

So, how can we allow truth to be victorious over the deception in our lives?  Pray for help and trust that we can do all things, but only through Christ.  “Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law.” - Psalm 119:29

And, we can help each other: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.” - Hebrews 3:13

So, help a sister or brother out today, you know what they are up against - we are all fighting the same battle!