Satan’s Beautiful Deceptions

Hello, All!  Today I have several pictures to share with you. The flowers captured in this photo are from a wisteria plant. This spring in our town the wisterias have been especially beautiful, perhaps because of their slow and constant proliferation. Many areas have been blanketed with these draping clusters. The tree you see pictured here is not a wisteria tree.  It is a tree from which the life has been gradually choked out and overtaken by this opportunistic plant.FullSizeRender If you look carefully you can see where the wisteria plant began its subtle takeover at the base of the tree. I was compelled to copy and paste this beautiful, descriptive narrative of the wisteria plant that I found while doing some research. You will understand why in a moment.

“The charms of wisteria are almost impossible to resist. Lounging languorously over a fence or pergola, she will beckon to you with her heady perfume. Before you know it, her nodding, pendulous blooms have hypnotized you. Soon you are rushing to the nearest garden center, determined to own her, but be warned. Wisteria has a mind of her own.

You are not the first to succumb. Marco Polo was an early conquest. He brought wisteria seeds out of China in the 13th century. But you would be wise to take the time to get to know this beauty before you commit to her. Like a Jezebel she will steal your heart and then, after you are weakened and besotted with love, she will set about to dominate your garden and, if possible, your house. Take this caveat to heart: she is fully capable of attempting to murder your other plants.”

The insidious domination of something so beautiful to the eye brings to my mind the how Satan deceives us in with similar enticements. Besides the lure of beauty, there is power, wealth, comfort, compromise, and the list goes on. Like wisteria, each in its own right looks innocent at first. We move closer and closer to the seductive draw of Satan’s traps, thinking we are still in control. However, before we know it, we are held captive by its charms, sacrificing our relationship and commitment to Christ.

IMG_1805This is a picture of a thistle plant. Unlike the wisteria, it holds little to no beauty and is covered in  an array of thorny leaves that stick and cause pain. This is often how we think sin looks…ugly, painful, scary, obviously detrimental. From this we would have no problem steering away.  But sometimes, as described in the passage above, sin is beautiful “like a Jezebel.” And it is with that beauty that Satan woos us into his grasp.

The beauty of the forbidden fruit and a desire to be like God, knowing good and evil, were the things Satan used to seduce Eve. What is He using in your life?

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

“But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)

IMG_7401But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matthew 16:23)

Take these words from God found in the Bible and apply them to your life as you do a bit of self inventory.  I know that I will.  Speak the name of Jesus over any questionable areas or downright  sin in your life.  Never hesitate to speak directly to Satan as in the verse above, “Get behind me, Satan!” That is one of those “go to” Sunday School verses I learned as a child. Works today just like it did then! Remember, there is all the forgiveness you will ever need in Christ.  He took care of that on the Cross. As Jesus helps you to overcome sin in your life, you will find a peace, a joy, an eternity worth much more than any earthly pleasure.  My prayers are with you! To God Be the Glory!

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