Deceiver of Self

It is easy to believe that someone else is the deceiver, after all when we think about "the deceiver" we immediately see the serpent slithering towards Eve with a mouth full of lies. What we may not see is the deceiver that is more dangerous. What is so dangerous that it could make us believe a lie even after we have heard the truth? The greatest deceiver, the most subtle and unassuming of enemies; self. It is she who pulls me back into bed in the morning when my spirit desires time with God. It is she who insists that one funny comment or backwards remark surely couldn't hurt, and it is she who would have me believe that everything is fine even when I feel the Spirit tugging at my heart and mind.

I forget sometimes that she must die daily. Somehow in my mind once and for all is good enough. For redemption yes; the blood of Christ shed once will save for all time, but flesh must be reminded. It is the old friend who asks if you're sure you don't want to stir up some old trouble, the ex who wants to know if there isn't still a little bit of something to hold on to, the habit that insists you are too weak to overcome it.

I'd like to think that just as the word tells us, the bible is full of stories that are "warnings to us" the first of which was Eden. Are you sacrificing a blessing for a lie when you already know the truth? Are you acting as the deceiver? In all sincerity I am asking these questions because I myself need to answer them. How much of where you are is because you won't let yourself go farther?

To seeking and finding the truth,

Ina