Satan is most known as a deceiver. It is one of his most successful schemes. It is so pervasive, we will need more than one day to adequately study it. But, first we need to have a biblical understanding of the nature of sin and its far-reaching influence.
People often have an unreal belief in their own goodness. Many say they just need to trust their heart. God says that is the wrong thing in which to place your trust.
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
Jeremiah 49:16 "As for the terror of you, The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, O you who live in the clefts of the rock, Who occupy the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as an eagle's, I will bring you down from there," declares the LORD.
Jeremiah was the prophet who actually lived during the fulfillment of his prophecies. Judah was taken into captivity during his lifetime.
It is clear, if we are truly being honest with ourselves, that we are easily deceived. The Bible is full of examples to support this truth. A few should suffice to confirm what God has told all of us. It all started or better said, restarted with Solomon. The whole book of Judges goes into great detail of God’s chosen people being deceived.
1 Kings 11:9-13 Now the LORD was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not observe what the LORD had commanded. So the LORD said to Solomon, "Because you have done this, and you have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant. "Nevertheless I will not do it in your days for the sake of your father David, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. "However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen."
The wisest and richest man to ever live started right but in the end did evil against God. He was deceived by his 1100 wives and concubines who he let build alters to their idols within Israel. He was slowly led away from God by the very women he brought into Israel. His sexual lusts blinded his eyes and heart, which eventually blinded his mind.
Where did all of this lead? It is a very sad story that we will continue with next time.