This past weekend, the nation was shocked by news of another attempt to assassinate former president Trump. It didn’t take long for Maga and Mr. Trump to try to blame the radical left for another attempt on his life.
However, once again, the facts about the shooter Ryan Wesley Routh prove otherwise. Mr. Routh is a registered Republican who became disappointed in Mr. Trump and his twisted ways.
- Deception
- Pride
- Greed
The truth is like many conservatives, Mr.Routh wasn’t happy with the actions of Mr. Trump. He disagreed with Mr. Trump’s flip-flop on Ukraine. Others like me do not support the extreme right’s vilification of immigrants, because of a few bad actors.
Especially, since it was Mr. Trump himself who shot down the latest border deal so that he could get reelected on it. Now, against the wishes of the mayor, Mr. Trump is planning on visiting Springfield to continue stoking the hatred of immigrants, instead of loving our neighbors (Matthew 22:39.) After years of believing Mr. Trump wanted what was best for America, it is obvious he is only looking out for himself.
He manipulated the Republican Party by promising them earthly greatness. He pandered the Bible to make conservatives happy, all while dividing the conservative party it’s the same tactic Satan used in the garden to deceive Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-8.)
What is Deceit?
Deceit is more than just telling a little white lie. Its how people are deceived and led astray. Deceit is defined as, “The act of causing someone to accept as true, what is untrue; deception.”
Deception and deceit are spiritual acts attributed to Satan himself (Genesis 3:1-5, Revelation 12:9.) Because of the fall, this world is corrupted by lies and sin. God’s people are called to be different and stand for truth, not lies (Acts 5:1-11, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Ephesians 4:25, 1 Peter 2:1, James 1:22.)
Despite what some believe in the church, there is no place for little white lies amongst God’s people. The Apostles and early church leaders remembered their Jewish teachings and the warnings about deceit and deception.
Ŝeqer
The ancient world was a dark place full of deceit and deception. The Torah explains how after the fall, humanity continued to drift away from God and His ways (Genesis 6:5; 8:20-21; 13:13, Deuteronomy 29:19.)
The deceit of mankind starts in our hearts (Jeremiah 17:9.) The Hebrew word for deceit in the Old Testament is šeqer and it can also mean, “Lie, falsehood, or deception,” depending on the context.
God commanded His people to be different from the ancient world and set them apart as a nation unto Himself (Leviticus 19:2, Deuteronomy 7:6.) The Old Testament often describes God’s people as sheep, because it is obvious how easily they are deceived and led astray (Isaiah 53:6, Jeremiah 50:6, Ezekiel 34:6, Zachariah 10:2.) Sheep will believe anything and follow anyone who will give them whatever makes them happy.
- Security
- Food
- Shelter
- Power
Jesus is introduced in the New Testament as the Good Shepherd who cares for the sheep and they will not follow another shepherd (Psalm 23:1-6, John 10:1-42.) He called Himself the truth and the light to counter the deception and darkness of this fallen world (John 14:6.)
Deception always twists the truth, it doesn’t spread it, it kills it. As God’s people, we are called to walk in truth and not continue in darkness (John 8:32; 17:17, Romans 1:17, Ephesians 4:15, 1 John 3:8.)
If we say we have no sin, then we deceive ourselves (1 John 1:8.) Jesus understood that we are deceived and led astray by our evil hearts (Matthew 15:18-20, Mark 13:5.) He understood how easy it is for the good things of this world to lead us astray (Romans 8:5-8, Galatians 5:16-21.)
PDiddy
Living as a teen in the 90s I became a fan of rap music and Sean “Puffy” Combs. His record label Bad Boy Records produced a lot of the artists I listened to during high school and college.
PDiddy Grew up in the Church and sometimes incorporated spiritual themes or samples in his music. His song I’ll Be Missing You released the same year I had my accident. However, Mr. Combs let money; fame and success lead him astray. He forgot a basic Christian teaching, temporary things cannot satisfy us (Ecclesiastes 2:11, 2 Corinthians 4:18.)
This week Mr. Combs’ selfish ways caught up with him as he was arrested on numerous hideous charges, including forcing people to have or perform sexual acts. While some of his ways were known publicly, most people had been deceived by his success and fame. The Bible warns that the love of money leads to all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10.)
- Greed and
- Pride
- Deception
One of the dangers of deception is it often makes us happy while leading us astray. Charles Spurgeon warned, “You will never find anyone so ready to be led astray as the man who says he cannot be led astray.” Satan and the gods of this world want us to be happy, they just don’t want us to be holy (Matthew 4:1-11.) That is why we need to discern between good and evil (1 Kings 3:9, Hebrews 5:14, James 1: 5,) or else we will fall for Satan’s šeqer!
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