Satan has constructed a giant illusion. Even when caught in the awful web of sin, man will naturally choose to follow the deception rather than attempt to break free. In his world, pleasure promises freedom but leads to slavery, and hard work promises fulfillment but often leads only to hard times. This is not what people expect; it is not what the world promises. Yet these promises are part of the grand deception.
To some, the world says that if you work hard you can have what you want in life. Satan delights when someone works hard to accomplish a goal, such as being a successful sports star, only to have it taken away by an injury. He also delights when someone works hard, saves money—and then realizes that it all comes to nothing ultimately. To others, the world says that you don’t have to work hard. Take life easy, let the fun come to you. This promise is also a grand deception. Here are some everyday examples:
• Satan’s world says that personal peace can be achieved through the death of an unborn child.
• Satan’s world says that personal peace can be found with financial security.
• Satan’s world says that sex should not be restricted to marriage.
• Satan’s world says the most important thing in life is to feel good about yourself..
Satan’s world is not what it seems. You must prepare your children for a world which is deceptive by its very nature. For the most part, the people in this world do not realize they are being deceived. Most would be shocked and horrified to know that they actually are serving Satan. College professors, business executives, country music groups, self-help gurus, rock groups, movie actors and others who do not know Christ are, in fact, serving the cause of Satan, whether they realize it or not. People who think they have the answers to life are, in fact, being led down a path of deception that will one day eventually end in great sadness and horror.
Do you think that if David had realized all the consequences that would follow his lustful glance at Bathsheba he would have pursued his course of adultery? No, of course not. How many times have you said (along with David), “if only I had known”? Yet this is what the way of the wicked is like. This is the message that you are to tell your children. If you, as a Christian, choose to take this road, you will be deceived, just as David was.
David thought only for the moment. He thought only of the physical allure of the woman he saw. He acted on the basis of his feelings rather than on the basis of what God wanted him to do. He chose the way of the wicked over the way of the righteous. This is why Proverbs 4:15 shouts,“Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.”
2 thoughts on “The World is Not as it Seems”
This is a breath of fresh air. Well said young man.
Sin will take you farther than you want to go and keep you longer than you want to stay.