John Bevere - How to Live Free of Deception
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This is why James comes along in the New Testament and makes this statement: he said, "Do not be deceived." I'm going to say it again; there's only one problem with deception: it's deceiving. The person who's deceived believes with all their heart they're right when, in reality, they're wrong. That's scary. Do not be deceived. Now look at this: it appears to be a negative command, but it's not a negative command; it's a positive one. You know what James is saying? You can live a life free from deception. Okay, I'm glad ten of you like that! He's literally saying you never have to be deceived.
How are we never deceived? He tells us how to never be deceived: he says every good and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. You know what James is saying there? Listen carefully. He's saying there is nothing good for you outside of God. I don't care how good it looks, how beneficial it seems, how productive you think it will make you, how blessed you think you will be, or how happy you think you will be. If it is not of God, if it is contrary to His word, it will end up in a place you don't want to find yourself. Right? That's what James is saying, and he says if you get this firmly established in you, you'll never be deceived.