The Spirit Of Deception

The Spirit of Deception (Hivites)

Josh 3:10; Genesis 3:1-5

Hivite: To live a lie openly shown; a serpent.

Deception: To mislead by giving a distorted impression or false sense of

reality. To trick; to cheat; to beguile. The ancient Greeks used the word to

describe the pleasure that comes from watching the theater. Deception is

being pacified and placated by unreality. Pain and confusion result from

trusting false promises or believing a lie.

***How many times have you ordered something from a catalog that looks

like just what you wanted, but when the product arrives, it doesn’t look

nearly as good as it did in the catalog?

Deception is a very scary thing. Why? Because it’s deceptive.

Interestingly, deception is only an option for the Christian believer. Non-

believers are “led astray.” In order to be deceived you must have some truth

to measure the error by.

Gen. 3:1-5

The subtle attempt of Satan has always been to undermine the authority of

the word of God. Deception compromises Divine provision and protection.

Why does Satan deceive? Satan cannot create anything. All he can do is

manipulate and maneuver what has been created. Since he cannot match

God’s power, Satan has to maximize the power he has, and deception is his

strong suit. He has turned deception into an art form.

The greatest guard against deception is revealed, not communicated,

knowledge. This knowledge concerning the tree had been communicated

through Adam to Eve...not revealed to Eve from God. Adam was created

received God’s instructions and then Eve was formed. She was operating

on second-hand information. (If all you ever receive is second-hand truth,

you’re in trouble...you are in deception already...and don’t even know it. If

you are into second-hand knowledge then the enemy is filling your ears

continually.)

Satan’s weapon is his mouth. “Serpent” = nachash - “one who whispers,

hisses, suggests.”

Satan’s deception always causes distrust for spiritual authority and doubt of

the truth. Not only did he cause Eve to rebel against God, but to

misconstrue and misinterpret the words of her earthly authority in Adam.

Why do people have rebellion in their hearts today? Why won’t children

naturally obey parents?

The strategy of deception:

1. Distort what God says by changing the emphasis

2. Bring into question God’s motive (always the result of twisted meaning)

3. Introduce reason that ultimately leads you to question God’s goodness

and integrity.

....Once that’s accomplished it’s easy to turn you against God’s

authority.

Satan made God look like a taker instead of a giver. “God’s holding out on

you. You don’t have to put up with this. You deserve something better. Go

ahead and do what you want. God won’t do anything to you...He hasn’t

done anything yet, has He?”

Question: How many of you think that you probably have some deception in

your lives? Don’t forget – Satan led 1/3 of the angels astray from the very

presence of God in heaven, and caused Eve to disobey in a perfect

environment (she had never been abused by a husband, frustrated by kids,

used by a pastor, or mistreated by a boss).

Jeremiah 17:9 - “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately

wicked.”

Turn to James 1 –

James 1:16-17

Be not deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift

is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no

variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.

James is saying that if you believe there is any good outside of God’s

provision, then you can be deceived, just like Eve. No matter how good it

tastes, looks, feels; no matter how rich, abundant, wise, or successful it may

make you, if it is not from God, it will eventually lead you down a path of

sorrow, regret, and in the end, death.

Look at James 1:22-24

When a person hears the Word of God yet does not obey, deception enters

his heart and mind. This person lives thinking he’s on target when actually

he’s in error.

But, look at v. 25. This is the solution. If revelation knowledge is the key

to being free then I must learn to meditate on the word of God.

“But on this one will I look:

On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,

And who trembles at My word.” (Isaiah 66:2)

The one who trembles at His word will instantly obey Him whether he sees

the advantage or not.

“The secret of the Lord is with those who fear him, and he will show

them his covenant.”

(Psalm 25:14).

Psalm 119:165 - “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing

causes them to stumble (be offended).”

If you’re stumbling, offended, and have no peace...then you don’t love

the word.

“Attending to”the word, Prov. 4:20-22;