February 8 - Disguised "Blessings".

Matthew 24:4
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.”
 
The devil may give us what we think we want or need, disguised as a blessing “sent from God”. He may arrange the right thing to be given by the wrong person, which opens up the door of compromise. Before you know it, you are knee deep in compromised decisions and doctrine.

If you've been around the ministry very long at all, you've seen people from all facets of ministry compromise on a “minor” issue, only to be completely derailed and out of commission in a matter of time. Young Christians, laymen, singers, ministry workers & leaders, deacons, preachers, missionaries, evangelists, pastors. None of us are immune to the wiles of the devil. He wants to distract us, deter us, devour us and destroy us. He can’t take our salvation, but it’s up to us to protect our testimony.
 
The devil is depicted by many as a man in a red suit, with horns and a pitchfork. This could not be any further from the truth. Oftentimes, Satan comes to us wrapped up in exactly everything we ever wanted. We can learn from the many examples in the Bible of the devil’s subtle tactics and Someone’s response to him. Let’s take a look at Who we can learn from…
 
Ask Eve.
“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise…” Genesis 3:6
“The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” Genesis 3:13
 
Ask Abraham.
“And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.” Genesis 16:2
 
Ask David.
“…and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman.”
II Samuel 11:2-3
 
Ask Solomon.
“So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me…And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy…Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:9-11
 
Ask Jesus.
“Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written…” Matthew 4:10
 
Jesus Christ was tempted by Satan himself, yet without sin.
 
Protect yourself from being deceived by disguised “blessings”.
 
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Bible Reading:
Exodus 26-27 |  Matthew 18  |  Psalm 8