Do Not Be Deceived

Do Not Be Deceived

Those who are in Christ Jesus have been saved by grace through faith to the glory
of God. We didn’t earn or merit anything (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our redemption is a
gift through the incredible sacrifice of Christ (Romans 5:15; 6:23). What’s more, if
we sin, Christ continues to advocate for us before the Father (1 John 2:1). In light
of this incredible gift we can develop a dangerous attitude if we are not careful.
Consider the following passages:
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom
of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor
covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit
the kingdom of God. - 1 Cor 6:9-10
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows,
that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh
reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap
everlasting life. - Gal 6:7-8
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions,
dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and
the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in
time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the
kingdom of God. - Gal 5:19-21
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his
tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to
visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself
unspotted from the world. - Jas 1:26-27
When we realize that our own righteousness will not save us, we are tempted to
think our actions are unimportant. The thought is “grace will cover” the sins and
worldly behaviors I continue to practice. The Scriptures are clear – do not be
deceived. If you continue to practice the works of the flesh – sexual sins, idolatry,
covetousness, drunkenness, thievery, envy, hatred, selfish ambition, contention,
and the like – you will not inherit the kingdom of God. If you continue to “sow to
the flesh”, you will reap corruption. If you do not bridle your tongue, your
religion is useless.
Christ redeemed us to be a transformed people. We are to live without sin (1 John
2:1). I fear that we have convinced ourselves that it is impossible to live without
sin. Jesus believed it could be done (John 5:14; John 8:11). And certainly,
through the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us (Romans 5:5), we can put
to death the “deeds of the body” (Romans 8:9-14). In Colossians 3 we are told to
“put to death” our members which are on the earth. God does not command us to
do things we are unable to do with His help.
Paul exhorted the Ephesians:
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even
be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor
foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather
giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean

person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in
the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty
words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the
sons of disobedience. - Eph 5:3-6
We do not walk according to the flesh. On the contrary, we are saints – holy ones
– purified, sanctified, and justified by the blood of Christ. “For you were once
darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Eph 5:8)
- Pat Gaughan

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Dying to Self

Jesus said to His disciples:

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” - Matt
16:24

The following was written by Alan Smith:
When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record
your own good works, or itch for commendations – when you can truly
love to be unknown, that is dying to self.
When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and you
can honestly rejoice with him and feel no envy while your own needs
are far greater and more desperate, that is dying to self.
When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature
than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly,
finding no resentment rising up within your heart, that is dying to self.
When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and
you don’t hurt with the insult or the oversight, that is dying to self.
When your heart is happy and content to be counted worthy to suffer
for Christ, that is dying to self.
When your good is evil spoken of, your advice disregarded, your
opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or
even defend yourself, but take it in patient, loving silence, that is dying
to self.
When you are content with any food, any raiment, any climate, that is
dying to self.



If my life is fruitless, it doesn’t matter who praises me, and
if my life is fruitful, it doesn’t matter who criticizes me.
John Bunyan

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