The Reality of Deception
This article talks about:
- Perception vs. Reality
- Trials and Temptations
- Hearing and Doing the Word
-By Barb Cody-
Looking out my front window, a breeze catches the furry tufts of grasses that I planted last year. I notice black beetle-like insects clinging to them. Curious, I go outside to examine them more closely. There is not one bug in sight. The angle from which I was observing them made shadows that looked like bugs. From a different angle, I could see them clearly.
It was a trick of the light—my eyes deceived me.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)
For a few moments, I believed a different reality than the one manifested. It was a weird sensation. It looked so real; and it made me consider how many times what looks real, is different from, well, reality.
I can think of times when I was misled, confused, or even betrayed by a friend, and I thought that I understood the situation. When the truth was exposed, my perception shifted to encompass a new reality.
I'm reminded of episodes of intrigue and deception from ancient times. Jacob worked for Laban for seven years and then was given Leah instead of his beloved Rachel (Genesis 29). Jacob's sons convinced the men of the city to undergo circumcision after their sister Dinah was defiled—then killed them (Genesis 34).
There seems to be a thread of falsehood running throughout the length and breadth of humanity, either wanting to mislead others and hide the truth or else desiring to believe in something that is, in reality, not true.
However, we are not called to live that way. In James' letter to “the Twelve Tribes in the Diaspora”, he exhorts his readers to carefully consider their ways and thoughts. It’s an excellent guide to the many pitfalls that can cloud our judgment. His observations are succinct and direct. There's very little room, if any, for compromise.
Again and again, we read, “Do not be deceived,” and “Do not delude yourselves.”
When James writes about temptations, he makes a startling assumption; “...for YOU KNOW the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Who is he writing to? Maybe the Jewish followers of that century lived in a different reality than today's followers. Maybe they came to faith in Yeshua with the full knowledge that they would face trials and persecutions for their new beliefs. Maybe they expected it; so, they could “count it all joy” when they encountered severe challenges.
This was a new view for me to perceive. I can only think how irritating tests, trials, and temptations are when they arise. But I didn't grow up in the tenuous tension of early believers. It makes me ponder those believers today whose lives are hard and dangerous because they choose to follow Yeshua. Many in certain dark parts of the globe are experiencing first-hand the joy of testing, and are persevering or paying with their lives. So, I believe James when he says that trials and temptations will pay off in patience. And the full outworking of patience is a wholeness—a fullness if you will—with no lack.
Compare that to the results of not persevering, but rather of being “enticed” away by deadly desires within us. That desire bears the fruit of sin whose full outworking ends in death.
According to James, God gives generously and “without reproach”. Temptations come to build perseverance, to build character, to build trust. And they are often the product of our base desires. Testing and trials reveal a two-fold angle in which to view ourselves.
On the one hand, they show what we're really made of. Have you ever reacted to an unjust situation and wondered, “Where did those emotions come from --- how could I have had such an ungodly desire for vengeance?” I know I have. All too often.
On the other hand, however, this revelation of our inner selves gives us a picture of what it is that we lack.
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:1,20)
Likewise, we are called into a two-fold obedience as a result of our temptations. The one avenue is to make certain that we hear the Word that was spoken into us. “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.” (James 1:18) Again, in verse 21, “...receive with meekness, the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
So, we must hear the Word, but it’s not enough just to hear it and thereby increase our trust in the Living Word—our Messiah Yeshua. We must also walk out the Word in our lives, daily.
What good is it if I look in the mirror and see a crumb of toast stuck to my cheek, then walk away and forget to brush it off? It will surely come back around later in the day. What good is it to have a revelation of who we truly are, on the inside, and not cry out for change? What good is it to become complacent and comfortable with who we are and accept our faults? How does that conform me into the image of my Savior?
I want a life of eternal change. I don't want to stay the same. That's one of the things I love about James' letter. It inspires me to do better. Yes, it lists the many ways in which we try to deceive ourselves into thinking that we're doing alright. Reading it is like walking through a self-evaluation checklist. Do I murder? No. Do I give to the poor? Yes. Do I keep a close range on my tongue? Maybe not so much.
“For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.” (James 3:2)
When confronted with the darkness lurking inside, the only godly response is to seek the light. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)
James begins his letter by stating that to be double-minded is to be unstable in everything. He ends it with the exhortation to be patient. “Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:8)
I'm sorry to confess that I take comfort in knowing that these Jewish believers were every bit as human as I am! But even more comforting is the certainty that down through all the ages, like a continuous thread running through every generation, the Word of God is our sure and dependable hope for freedom from instability and deception.
Yeshua, the Living Word, is weaving a beautiful tapestry in the hearts of His followers, and transforming the kingdom of darkness into His Marvelous Light.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Barbara Cody is a seamstress & poet who loves spending time outdoors. She can usually be found hiking in the woods or at the local house of prayer. She resides in the US, but her heart lives in Israel.