This weekend, there has been big news out of the Middle East: the United Nations has officially declared a famine in the war-struck Gaza Strip that is affecting 500,000 Palestinians. The entire world has watched in horror over the past 24 months since Israel launched its revenge campaign against Hamas with no regard for innocent lives.
To make matters worse, this weekend, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to deny that anyone is starving in the Gaza Strip. Despite the world knowing the truth, Netanyahu has called the news about starvation a lie.
Netanyahu’s thirst for revenge has blinded him to the truth. God’s people continue to live and become more like this fallen kingdom than pursue God and His kingdom:
- Vengeful
- Uncompassionate
- Unforgiving
- Deceptive
I will be the first to say Hamas and their attacks against Israel were wrong and blatantly evil, but it is not our place to seek revenge (Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 32:35, Judges 16:28-30, Proverbs 20:22; 24:29).
Once again, God’s people’s actions do not align with their faith or the ways of God. Mr. Netanyahu can call it justice all he wants, but he has deceived himself by seeking revenge at all costs.
Satan is a master manipulator and has been deceiving beings since before the creation of this world (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:12-17, Revelation 12:7-9). Prime Minister Netanyahu has forgotten the call to be different from this temporary kingdom, because he and God’s people are too busy trying to rule it (Exodus 19:5-6, Leviticus 11:1-47, Deuteronomy 14:2). The devil always tempts us with whatever makes us happy (Genesis 3:1-17).
What Is Deceit
Deceit is much deeper than lying; it’s a deliberate act to twist or hide the truth for selfish reasons. The sea is more than just a moral lapse of judgment; it is a spiritual act of Satan Himself (John 8:44, Genesis 3:1-5).
Deceit is defined as “The act of causing someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid; trick.” Whether we want to admit it or not, we’ve all been deceived by sin and Satan himself (Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:10, 1 Peter 2:25).
Deceit is a spiritual tool of Satan he uses to lead other stray (John 8:44, Acts 5:3, 2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:3, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 John 5:19). That is why the Bible has a lot to say about deceit and how God’s people should avoid people who practice it (Psalm 52:2, Mark 7:20-22, 2 Corinthians 11:3).
God’s people are supposed to be people of truth and light, not deceit and darkness like this fallen kingdom (John 4:24; 8:32, 14:6; 11:13). We are to have nothing to do with those who practice lies and deceit (John 14:6; 16:13-15).
Deceit and lies have no place amongst God’s people (Exodus 20:16, 2 Corinthians 11:13, Ephesians 4:25, Colossians 3:9-10, 1 Peter 3:10, James 3:14). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about deceit and where it comes from.
Mirmâ
The Torah teaches how sin entered the creation through Satan’s deceit and deception of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-17). Satan is notorious for being a crafty deceiver and a liar (Genesis 3:1, Zachariah 3:1-2, Luke 10:18, Revelation 12:15; 13:14).
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for deceit is mirmâ, and it can also mean “False, guile, craft, or treachery,” depending on the context it is used in. Judaism calls for God’s people to uphold truth and avoid lies and deceit (Exodus 20:16, Psalm 101:7, Proverbs 6:16-19; 20:17):
- Keep away from falsehoods
- Stealing the mind
- Bearing false witness
- Cheating in business
- Not speaking the truth
- Accepting undeserved praise
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He reminded His followers to be different from this corrupt kingdom (John 15:18-19; 17:14-16). Our Lord identified Himself as the truth and the light of the world, as opposed to the lies and darkness of this world (John 14:6).
He reminded His followers of the truth about how evil the human heart is (Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 15:18-20). That is why God’s people must deny themselves daily (Mark 8:34). Our Rabbi also confronted the religious leaders of his day about their lives and deceptive ways because they weren’t doing God’s will (Matthew 23:23-24, John 8:44).
He warned His followers that in the last days there will be more liars and wolves trying to deceive God’s people (Matthew 24:24, Mark 13:22). Our Lord knows how Satan schemes and deceives people with what they want (Matthew 4:1-11).
Ghislaine Maxwell
In other big news this week, convicted felon and notorious deceiver Ghislaine Maxwell spoke out about the much-publicized Epstein list and its contents. Miss Maxwell was convicted of helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually traffic minors.
The woman deceived young girls into becoming sex slaves for the highest bidder. Now serving time for her crimes, she is pandering to President Trump and his MAGA cult. The president himself has been called a deceiver and manipulator by his own family.
Both Pres. Trump and MAGA now defend Ms. Maxwell. Once again, we see the truth about MAGA and their anti-Christian agenda:
- Power-Hungry
- Greedy
- Deceptive
Despite many claiming to be conservative or Christian, they neglect the basic teachings of the Christian faith. Put others first (Mark 9:35, Philippians 2:3-4). Do not show favoritism (Acts 10:34, Ephesians 6:9, James 7:9). Have nothing to do with those who deceive or tell lies (Psalm 101:7, Proverbs 12:21, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Just like this fallen kingdom, they don’t want the truth; they want to mirmâ!
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