June 3, 2017

Dark Deception

Written by Boyd Bailey

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 3, 2017

The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he thinks, ‘No eye will see me,’ and he keeps his face concealed. In the dark, men break into houses, but by day they shut themselves in; they want nothing to do with the light.     Job 24:15-16

Everyone has a dark side that flirts with your feelings and tries to lead you astray. It is ironic that your dark side engenders fear and, at the same time, a false and hollow hope. However, there is nothing about your dark side that is good. It is always attempting to seduce you into your old way of thinking and doing. It wants to pull a dark cloud over your soul and rain down discontentment and confusion. The dark side is filled with demons of discouragement seeking to seduce you into poor and even foolish decision-making. It knows that one devastating decision can mark you for a lifetime. The dark side offers the illusion that adultery is harmless and recreational. It reasons with you that in the cloak of darkness, no one will ever find out. You are led to believe that enough lies can cover up your dark deeds.

That, of course, is the sort of fiction you’d find in a romance novel. The light will eventually pierce the darkness and, like a scattering roach, you will be exposed. But there is nowhere you can go where God is not present. He is light; so in darkness, the light of His love exposes you. Why crouch in a dark corner of carnality, when you can be free in the light of Christ? Darkness promises freedom but delivers bondage. The promise of God is grace, which results in faith’s freedom. Christ is light in the darkness, and His word is your flashlight of faith. In Him, darkness recoils.

“You may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

Your dark side will hound you until you get to heaven. So, in the meantime, it is imperative to live in the light. Live in the light of God’s love, for that’s where you are accepted and kept secure; Live in the light of accountability, for that’s where you have boundaries from the edge of darkness; Live in the light of Christian community, for that’s where others can pray for you and with you; Live in the light of God’s Word, for that’s where you gain His wisdom and perspective. Simply live in the light of Christ, and He will repel the relentless rampage of your dark side. Therefore, do not tamper with the temptations of your dark side alone, or you may suffer the scars of sin’s consequences.

You can only gain authentic energy and excitement in the light. This far exceeds the artificial tantalizing that comes from submission to the dark side’s temptations. No sin can be hidden from God, no matter how concealed it may seem in the deepest corner of darkness. Wise ones submit to the light rather than to the deceptive dark side. The dark side is full of unpleasant surprises, while the route of the Holy Spirit offers pleasant ones. Walk away from the dangers of the dark side. Nothing there is worth the energy and the horrific hurt that accompanies its mission. Tell someone today your deepest, darkest secrets. Exposure is the enemy of your dark side. Freedom in Christ comes from accountability with other Christ-followers. Walk in the light together, as overcomers with God and people.  Alone, you backslide into your dark side. Therefore, surround yourself with lovers of the light. In the light, you get it right.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me walk in the light and avoid dark deceptions.

Application

What area of my life do I need to expose to the light of God’s love?

Related Reading

2 Samuel 22:29; Psalm 18:28; John 3:19; Romans 2:19 Today’s reading is taken from Boyd’s most popular book: Seeking Daily the Heart of God, a 365 day devotional.

Post/Tweet today

No sin can be hidden from God, no matter how concealed it may seem. #deception  #wisdomhunters

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Comments

  1. Jeanne says:

    IMO, this devotional applies to everyone of us…. such powerful words to reflect on…

    Quoting from your devotional: “Your dark side will hound you until you get to heaven. So, in the meantime, it is imperative to live in the light. Live in the light of God’s love, for that’s where you are accepted and kept secure; Live in the light of accountability, for that’s where you have boundaries from the edge of darkness; Live in the light of Christian community, for that’s where others can pray for you and with you; Live in the light of God’s Word, for that’s where you gain His wisdom and perspective. Simply live in the light of Christ, and He will repel the relentless rampage of your dark side. Therefore, do not tamper with the temptations of your dark side alone, or you may suffer the scars of sin’s consequences.”

    When coming up against the dark side of temptation, truly I have found saying from the heart (and meaning it) even while in the weakness of the flesh: “I want your will, not mine” – God will intervene in the circumstances to save us from going in the wrong direction. As we do it more and more we begin to recognize His hand on our life and He will bless us with the right choices. Sometimes He will lead us to make amends to others that have been wronged by our choices…….. but,, even in that, He does a mighty work of His grace….

    Thank you for sharing these powerful words….. Love to you in Christ!

  2. Gwynne says:

    Dear Jeanne,
    Thank you for your encouraging words regarding the devotional, “Dark Deception”. I agree with you 100% when you stated “Sometimes He will lead us to make amends to others that have been wronged by our choices….but, even in that, He does a mighty work of His grace…” So, so very thankful for His grace!
    I am not sure this is a topic that some of us do not “enjoy” reading about, but it is definitely something WE ALL NEED TO HEAR!!
    Boyd reminded us of such effective ways that our Father helps us to “repel the relentless rampage of our dark side”.
    Living in the light of God’s Love, living in the light of His Word, living in the light of accountability and living in Christian community are all powerful “lights” to block the darkness! Thank you Father!!
    Jeanne, we are grateful for you and your insight. We will look forward to hearing from you again sometime.
    May God Bless You!
    Gwynne
    “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matt.5:14-16


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