Do Not Be Deceived

Do Not Be Deceived
   Larry Ollison

There can be many types of problems within a family. In fact, examples of possible family problems that can arise would almost be too numerous to list. But the Word addresses them all. Whatever the problem or need, no matter how great the stress or distress, God has the solution in His Word. His Word is complete. All we as Christians have to do is believe what God's Word says and act on it in faith.



For example, if you have a child who has turned away from a godly life, then believe God's Word that says that the children of the righteous will be delivered. (Prov. 11:21.) Take that scripture, read it, meditate on it, and act on it in faith without fear. It is true; the children of the righteous will be delivered.



From the beginning, Satan has deceived mankind. Second Corinthians 11:3 says that in the Garden of Eden, Eve was deceived by the serpent because of Satan's craftiness. In other words, he was cunning, deceptive and a liar.



Jesus said in John 8:44 that Satan is a liar and that there is no truth in him. Satan has not changed and his methods are still the same today. When we take the Scriptures and stand on them in faith, Satan immediately tries to twist and distort the Word in such a way that it will become ineffective in our lives.



When we say, "The Word says the children of the righteous will be delivered, and I believe it and stand on it in faith," Satan immediately says, "That's right. The Word is true. The children of the righteous will be delivered. But you're not righteous. Remember when you...." And so Satan sows his lie. What he says sounds logical, but it is still a lie.



The truth is, we who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior are righteous. (Rom. 3:22.) We are not righteous because of anything we have done but because of what He has done. (Eph. 2:8-10.) The blood of Jesus removes our sins and we are clean. (1 John 1:7.) It's grace. It's unmerited favor. It's a gift of God.



Galatians 2:21 says, "If righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain." We cannot do anything to become righteous other than just simply accept Jesus into our hearts. Works will never be good enough.



If Satan can get us to believe we are not righteous, then when we take the Word that says, "The children of the righteous will be delivered," we will not believe it applies to us. Without belief there is no faith. Without faith we will not expect results, and we will get what we expect. Nothing! We must believe the truth and act in faith. Then we will be delivered.



Another verse that talks about our children is Proverbs 20:7, which says that the children of the righteous will be blessed. So, not only will our children be delivered, but they will be blessed.



As Christian parents, we must believe what God's Word says about our children. So, when Satan whispers into your thought realm and says your children will be destroyed, don't repeat his words. Remember, he's a liar. You must do as Jesus did when Satan spoke to him. (Luke 4:1-3.) Say, "It is written," and then declare, "The children of the righteous will be delivered."



Remember, God does not lie. (Num. 23:19). What He says He will do, He will do. What he says will happen, will happen. If His Word says the children of the righteous will be delivered and blessed, then they will. God is not a liar.
   
This article is an excerpt from The Practical Handbook for Christian Living by Dr. Larry Ollison. It is available at a discounted price online from Barnes & Noble Bookstores.
 
Other books by Dr. Larry Ollison are available online from Christianbooks.com or at your local bookstore.