Dealing With Deception

Journey Into The Promised Land

Luke 15:11–32 (CSB)

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON

11 He also said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. 14 After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. 15 Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to eat his fill from the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything. 17 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.” ’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. 21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he summoned one of the servants, questioning what these things meant. 27 ‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’

31 “ ‘Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”

Admitting Your Need

Despite the fact that Samson was bound by the enemy, God had a plan for Him and God has a plan for you. If you want to be freed from the bondage of Satan, there are six important steps you must take which we will meditate and act upon during the next few days.

First, recognize the power of confession: First of all, you must face up to your need. This is not the first step by accident. All of the power God possesses cannot do one thing for you until you recognize that God has placed within you His power to lead you out of defeat and despair.

I believe in positive thinking. I believe a man can mentally take himself out of the doldrums and utilize his natural mental powers in a greater way, but with God’s power we can lift ourselves from sin by our spiritual bootstraps. “But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).

Romans 10:9-10 describes the importance of confession:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9-10)

When you confess Jesus, you are in essence also confessing your own inability to win the battle of life alone. There is only one person Who has ever lived Who won the battle by Himself, and that is Jesus. Because He won the battle and defeated the enemy, you can also share in that victory and be a winner. You can appropriate that same power in your life when you confess that you need Him.

Think again of Samson. He thought he could play with sin and not eventually pay. He felt he had it in control and that he was the master of his fate.

Think of the prodigal son whose escapades are described in Luke 15. “Confidence” was his name. His inheritance was a well that would never run dry. Payday came early and he sat in that barnyard sharing a meal with pigs. Likely he had been sitting there for many days and thought of home many times, but his foolish pride kept him from confessing his sin.

Finally, there was one last “pig meal” that broke the back of his spiritual pride. The Scriptures say, “he came to himself.” It means he was finally willing to admit that he had made a mess of things. He stopped blaming luck or his friends and said, “It is me, Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.”

Today, come to yourself. Be honest with yourself and admit your need. Acknowledge that you cannot help yourself. You have already tried and look where it has gotten you!

Make this declaration:

I cannot help myself. I rely this day upon God and Him alone.

*Adapted from MCWE email – Journey Into The Promised Land by Morris Cerullo

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