Deception

Written By Betty Predmore

COLOSSIANS 1:18 - 2:7

(October 5)

Deception: it is everywhere. Someone is always trying to make us believe something that isn't true. It starts with perfect social media images that in no way depict the true nature of a family. It goes as far as politics, and the untruths we are expected to believe.

It is in our homes ... the little white lies the children tell you to keep out of trouble. Or in the workplace, when someone steals your idea on a big project.

Deception is all around us, and we really need to BEWARE! The same held true for the Colossians. The same thing is going on close by in the church of Laodicea. This city was just a few miles northwest of Colosse and believed to have been founded by one of Paul's converts. (I love how his converts continued on the legacy of spreading the Good News!)

It was a wealthier city with a lot of trade and commerce. These are the very people that Jesus would label "lukewarm" (stay tuned), and Paul wanted to be sure they got the letter passed on to them as well. Paul was hoping that bonding the churches would help them stand strong against heresy and that by encouraging one another, they could stand firm in the truth.

But words of deception are being spoken over these believers. Paul called them "well-crafted arguments." This heresy that was being spoken over these churches hoped to convince the new converts that important secret knowledge was hidden from them. Paul assured them that Christ provides all the knowledge we need.

This heresy also suggested that the body was evil. Paul's contradiction to that was that God himself lives in a body - he was embodied in Jesus.

But, according to the heresy, Christ only seemed to be human but was not really a human. Paul insisted that Jesus is fully human and fully God.

These ideas that went against Christianity sounded possible, even acceptable, to many. That is why it was so easy to confuse these new believers who hadn't spent enough time in Christian doctrine to know any better. This was a huge threat.

Paul is urging them to continue what they started ... following Jesus, letting their roots grow deep and their lives be built in him. This was the way to increase their faith and knowledge.

The same applies to us today. There are falsities out there that try to convince us that our faith is based on untruths. The Big Bang Theory, and other such ideas float around, grabbed onto by those who are seeking something to believe in.

But we don't have to grab hold of crazy theories or ideas. We have Jesus. We have the Word of God and the truth it holds. We have our faith, that grows daily as we seek him. We have our solid foundation, and a Holy Spirit that never leaves us.

We are well-equipped to stand up against DECEPTION.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


Previous

Using or Choosing?
Next

Be Bery Careful