See Truth

"We must KNOW THE TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD in order to see the lie ..."

WE DO NOT have power over deception. Through salvation, we are given the authority of who Jesus is to speak to the activity of devils and darkness. Where we recognize it as coming from darkness, through Jesus’ name, as Lord of all, we can command it to cease. But our authority comes from relationship, from maturity in spiritual knowledge, and not from our mind, forcefulness, or even being educated about authority. See in the book of Acts where exorcists commanded a demon to go in the name of Jesus, and the demon then gave a reply. “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye (Acts 19:15)?” The man possessed by the demon then jumped them and sent them running, naked and wounded. Authority was misused there. Just saying “in Jesus’ name” without speaking in the Spirit will get you in trouble. Being frank, no one taught me this, growing up. Instead, it seemed like salvation meant you could just “tell the devil off.” But this many years later, after having shouted at him and seen nothing change, what I learned was my victory could only happen when I walked in the Spirit and gave all my striving to Him. A physical and mental fight with the devil may strengthen your resolve, but it won’t shift him.

We do not have power over deception. This is not taught either, or I haven’t heard it. We don’t know it, so we think that if we command the devil to stop what he’s doing, even if we’re trusting God for the complete fulfillment, then because we spoke, we are made completely aware of all he is using against us. Not so. Deception is just what its name implies, the telling of one thing that isn’t true in order to cause another to believe it is. We must KNOW THE TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD in order to see the lie, and God’s Word CAN ONLY BE KNOWN BY TIME SPENT READING AND THINKING OF IT. When we know the truth, that “by Jesus’ stripes I am healed,” then we know sickness isn’t God’s desire for us. When we know He has given us life abundantly, then we know early death and suicidal thoughts (as the result of any physical or mental turmoil) are not Him speaking. Any voice saying it would be easier to die is a lie.

My mother tells the story of a man diagnosed with cancer who told his wife, even if he went into a coma, not to turn loose of him as being healed. That man had a diagnosis of death but did not accept it. So even when he went into a coma, his wife refused to let go of him, repeating his words to God, and late one night, though he wasn’t mentally aware at that moment, he was completely healed. He went on to live a full life. Minister Barry Bennett has another wonderful testimony of refusing to let go of life. He was given only thirty days to live yet today is preaching the gospel.

I have such compassion for the sick. The body sometimes isn’t strong enough and our mental acceptance of healing hasn’t become true strength of spirit. What we know of spiritual truths must be our daily meditation. We must eat the Word, so to speak, and grow up. Much of suffering in our senior years comes from acceptance of what people say happens when we age. But we are given the example of Moses, whose eyes were not dim “nor his natural force abated (Deuteronomy 34:7).” Now, this isn’t a debate about what is the age considered “long life.” That is trivial and silly. But God’s Word, which is Jesus, is full of promises for our mind, our bodies, including our bones, and our prosperity. We can live and be satisfied and go home in joy and peace.

I love these next two verses in this regard and have to thank Minister Robert Pears for his revelation of them. My memory is blessed, not just memory of me, but my memory itself. And no bone of mine will ever be broken. Yes, that is prophetic of Jesus, but I speak it over me.

“The memory of the just is blessed:” (Proverbs 10:7)

“He (the Lord) keepeth all his (the righteous’) bones: not one of them is broken.” (Psalm 34:20, See also verse 19.)

Notice these are promises to the “just” and the “righteous.” That’s you and me, children of God. The Word is full of promises to the just and the righteous. But to receive them, we must meditate on them until they are part of our being. I’m reminded of another of my mom’s stories. A friend was meditating on Acts 10:38 when, one day, the grocery store clerk said, “That’ll be ten thirty-eight.” Without thinking her friend replied, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” At that point, she KNEW IT. She could no longer be deceived by any deception that said Jesus no longer heals.

Power over deception only comes when it doesn’t deceive us anymore. When we hear doubt but don’t believe it. When what was subtle in your immaturity is obvious now. As an example, notice Satan’s words to Eve. He simply rephrased the truth. “Hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden (Genesis 3:1)?” She replied, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it … lest ye die.” Well, God had said that, so when he followed it with the lie, “Ye shall not surely die (Verse 4),” she believed him. But Adam, we are told, was not deceived (1 Timothy 2:24). He recognized Satan’s words as a lie and ate of the tree anyway. Then we’re told, “And the eyes of them both were opened (Genesis 3:7).” Now, they saw truth.

God forgives the truly regretful heart. No matter how big the sin, nor if we are deceived or not when we sinned, but what we must see of deception is the false idea we are safe from it simply because we are saved. It is only by knowing WHO JESUS IS AS CHRIST and WHAT HE HAS GIVEN US AS CHILDREN OF GOD that we will recognize the lie and turn away from it. When we know the sky is blue, then no one can convince us otherwise. When we know the Voice of the Shepherd, then we won’t listen to the wolf. When we know God is good and only does good, then we won’t blame Him for evil. When we know He’s given us His patience, then we won’t be impatient and fall for the lie we should just give up.

God didn’t give up on us. Despite our sins, and the weight of them, He sent His Son to show us truth and define the lie. The liar, the devil, has been exposed for a fraud. But we must know the Word to avoid falling for deception. Because it is subtil. In the right light, the words of a serpent make more sense than the Creator of all things.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth ...” (John 14:16-17)

“Moreover, when I go through the dark times—when I feel like I’m going to die—I will not give into fear or choose selfishness, for you are right there with me: your rod of truth and staff of love, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:6, Remedy)


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com