There is a thread of caution in Old Testament and New Testament: don’t be misled (deceived, enticed).
Be careful … be careful … be careful.
“But be careful. Don’t let your heart be deceived so that you turn away from the Lord and serve and worship other gods.” Deuteronomy 11:16 NLT.
False prophets. Visionaries. Scoundrels, even. They can lead astray. But also mentioned: a brother, a son or daughter, a beloved (spouse), or a best friend.
18 “So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 20 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.
22 “Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him. Deuteronomy 11:18-22 NLT.
Be careful. These scriptures are a timely reminder. Oh Lord, guard this heart.
4 Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him. Deuteronomy 13:4 NLT.
Lord, I pray that I would hear your voice above all else–all day long!
Jesus warns:
“Don’t let anyone mislead you, 6 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. 7 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 8 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.
9 “When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. 10 For the Good News must first be preached to all nations. 11 But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12 “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. 13 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Mark 13:5-13 NLT.
Lord, your word reminds me to hold tightly, to cling to you. There are things and people that will try to distract me from you. Enticement and deception aren’t always loud and obvious–no, they pull up chairs around the table, with a head nod and smile. Help me, today (and daily!), to guard my heart from the things (and sin) that want to take first place.
Courtney (66books365)
Sixty-six books in a year 