ILLUSIONS
Illusions: a misleading image presented to the vision.
The master of deception our enemy satan uses illusions to shape our perceptions and direct our actions. We act upon what we perceive to be true. Adam and Eve were convinced by the serpent that God was holding out on them. The facts no longer mattered to them, an illusion presented to them by their enemy convinced them that the GOOD God who had provided them life, breath, a paradise in which to live, was keeping them from all they deserved.
The author of illusions meant to enslave us, has unlimited resources, in our day and time, to use against us. All around us we are daily bombarded with illusions set up to misdirect, deceive, cause us to fear, lose hope, lose heart, act out in ways that are counter to facts and counter to Gods purpose for our lives. In Ezekiel 12 God calls Judah “a rebellious house” Judah had been deceived by illusions. Here is how God described Judah “eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear.” This is a common picture of a people without God but it should not be reflective of those who are committed, surrendered followers of Jesus Christ.
“The illusion becomes our truth. Our actions then, are a response to an illusion. ”
Here is why illusions are so dangerous. We act in accordance with how we perceive our world. We move in directions based upon what we see or perceive to be true, factual, important, eminent. If we do not see clearly we will not act appropriately. Illusions cause us to act counter to truth. The truth is unseen and the illusion takes its place. The illusion becomes our truth. Our actions then, are a response to an illusion. Illusions divide us, deceive us, enslave us to a false belief that leads to separation from God.
Laziness is the key factor in how the enemy deceives us with illusions.
“The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!” (Prov. 22:13)
The lazy man of proverbs 22 is afraid of a lion that is in fact an illusion. The Lion mentioned here is just his FEARS. He is making excuses for not working or putting any effort at all into growing and maturing. He is happy to waste the day away and allow his neighbors to do the work. Yet, when the harvest is gathered he will want a chief seat at the table. He believes he is entitled to the reward of the efforts of others. He excuses his apathy and laziness with the excuse that a lion is about, his lion might be 1. the heat of the day, 2. a physical injury, 3. his inexperience in the job, 4. the fact that some who were working did not like him and that would cause difficulty for him to work. You name it, he has an excuse that for him is air tight.
Laziness and apathy with respect to the study of God’s Word, the hearing and obedience to His Word. We are easy targets for deception when we are not settled in the Word of God. That is how the enemy effectively deceived Adam and Eve. He taught them to mistrust the God who provided all they were enjoying: Life, fruitful abundance in food, companionship, intimate relationship with God Himself. How could they mistrust God’s goodness? Laziness and apathy toward God set them up for a great fall. They traded all the trees God had given them, their security in the garden of Eden, their intimacy with God for one tree that God separated to be His alone. Like Esau who traded his birthright for a bowl of soup, Adam and Eve traded away all they enjoyed for something they could never have. They, as all of us, are only stewards of what belongs to God, we are not owners.
The Word of God provides our perspective. No matter what the experts say, “God says” is what really counts. As we navigate our day to day the one constant are the truths of God’s Word. Do not trade them for the philosophies of men. A form District Superintendent once told me that “an expert is a little squirt under pressure”. The opinions of men, the settled science in some respects, changes over time but God never changes. His Word is truth and life. Can I challenge you to take 7 days with me beginning this coming Sunday and eliminate the narrative of the illusionist. Quite the TV, refuse to scroll social media, read no periodicals or news papers. Pick up God’s Word and read it, study it, let the Holy Spirit bring it to life in you. Take time to pray for every need God lays upon your heart. Let’s join together in hearing only from God for the next seven days.