Confession and Declaration 6
Revelation 12:9 And the huge dragon was cast down and out—that age-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him.
Up till this present declaration we have explored 5 of the titles for satan. Today the sixth is the seducer or deceiver. The Amplified translation has it right. The original word implies both seduction, and deceit that begins in the mind causing you and I to wander astray.
Interestingly Jesus tells a parable about soil conditions in Matthew 13:22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit. Riches defined here refers to an abundance of external possessions. I have said for years that you don’t have to be Bill Gates for this parable to apply to you. By default you are an American, incidentally one of the richest nations on earth. You and I are the rich man. The question is, What do we do with our riches and wealth? Wealth isn’t a bad thing as long as it doesn’t control you. Wealth isn’t a bad thing as long as it doesn’t come between you and your relationship with God. But if your possessions keep you from obeying, pursuing, and living for God – then you have a problem. If they come before God – you have a problem. Adjustments must be made in your lifestyle to conform to the standards set by Jesus.
The good news is that we have some promises given by Jesus regarding truth. First of all Truth is not simply an abstract concept of ideas. Truth is a Person and His Name is Jesus. Thus if you have a relationship with Jesus then you will constantly be living for the Truth adjusting your life to Him. The second thing we see is found in John 15:26 But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He [Himself] will testify regarding Me. Therefore since we have have received the Holy Spirit at salvation He is the Spirit of Truth Who testifies about Who Jesus is.
John 16:13 gives us another promise: But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. Thus the promise is that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all Truth, and will tell us what will happen in the future. As believers we can rejoice that we do not have to live in fear as long as we are abiding In Jesus and the Spirit. As long as we are involved in a personal relationship with Jesus – ongoing, experiential and interactive – we will know the truth. Many Christians live in fear that they will be deceived by a teacher, or teaching that runs contrary to the Word. The Good News is that if you seek to abide in Jesus’ Presence that He will let you know if you are in the truth or not.
Once I was at a messianic conference in Estes Park, Colorado and a messianic believer began to teach on Abram’s sacrifice of Isaac. He was very impressive looking the part of a wise sage and people were soaking in his every word. But then he took a “wrong turn” and began teaching that Abram actually killed Isaac but that God had raised him from the dead. It’s an enticing thought but not at all Scriptural. The implications are heretical suggesting that Isaac defeated death and he was our savior. Which there is obviously nothing farther from the truth. I was astonished to look around the room at other believers nodding their heads in approval. I couldn’t believe it. I began a dialogue with the Lord inquiring about this teacher and the Lord’s reply angered me. He used one word: Kabalism. After the session I was inadvertently used to confront this individual in his heresy. You see Kabalism is Jewish witchcraft. A few years ago you may have observed actors, actresses, and pop singers wearing these braided bracelets around their wrists. This practice derived from Kabalism.
As believers in Jesus we have Jesus, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the Word of God as our guides to Truth. Thus we can boldly declare Declaration 6: Truth of the Living God, Jesus, we praise and worship You that You have led me out of the darkness of lies into the light of Your Truth. Thank You that You came and found me drawing me into more Truth – into More of You Jesus. Thank You for the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, Who testifies to Jesus, leads me to know Him, and leads me into the Truth. Thank You Jesus I have overcome the deceiver, and seducer through Your Light in Me, through Your Holy Spirit and Your Precious Word. Thank You Jesus for hurling the lies out of me and casting them to the ground. Thank You that everything the Light shines on can be seen and everything the Light shines on becomes Light. Thank You for shining Your Light in Me. Flood me with Your Light – Your Glory. Thank You that in the Light of Your Glory are riches hidden for me In Christ Jesus! Thank You Jesus that I am becoming fully filled and flooded with Your Light and Glory! Hallelujah!
