"Deception" by Costa Deir part # 3 (of 8)

Causes of Deception

• Pride is a significant cause of deception; proud individuals are more susceptible to it.

• A proud person exhibits an independent spirit, distancing themselves from God.

• The Bible describes pride as leading to self-inflation and a lack of gratitude.

Effects of Pride

• Proud individuals take credit for blessings, which can lead to their downfall.

• The same blessings can either uplift or destroy individuals based on their attitude towards them.

• Biblical wisdom states that "pride goes before a fall."

Consequences of Deception

• God's judgment is severe on proud people, who often become deceivers themselves.

• A proud person must first be deceived before they can deceive others.

• The spirit of a leader influences the spirit of their followers.

Impact on Community

• A leader's pride affects not just themselves but also their family and community.

• Churches can disintegrate when leaders allow pride to overshadow humility and gratitude.

• Investigating sudden failures in ministry often reveals pride as the underlying cause.

Understanding Pride

• Everyone has an innate tendency towards pride; it's part of human nature.

• Characteristics of a proud person include harshness and boastfulness, as warned in Galatians 6:7.

Personal Experiences with Pride

• An encounter with a proud church leader highlighted the issue within ministries.

• Disagreements among friends can exist without damaging relationships if approached maturely.

• Proud individuals tend to dominate conversations and seek personal recognition over collective acknowledgment.

Addressing Pride

• Inviting feedback from others can help deflate one's ego and promote humility.

• Personal attacks by proud individuals often stem from their own insecurities.

Reflection on Humility

• Observations about another minister revealed accusations of pride leading to his dismissal.

• Understanding people's true character requires careful evaluation; assumptions may be misleading.

The Role of Relationships in Humility

• Building connections with trustworthy individuals allows for honest feedback about one's character.

Understanding Deception and Counsel

The Nature of Help

• It's important to recognize that the aim is to help, not hurt.

• A proud person may be open to deception due to their choices in counsel.

Wrong Counsel and Its Consequences

• Young leaders often seek advice from peers rather than experienced individuals, leading to poor decisions.

• Authority should be exercised with love; an Edomineering spirit dominates rather than liberates.

The Impact of Edomineering Spirit

• This spirit suppresses individual will and can lead to long-term harm.

• People cannot thrive under oppressive conditions; God intervenes against such spirits.

The Dangers of Poor Counseling

Susceptibility to Deception

• Those who exhibit an Edomineering spirit are highly susceptible to deception.

• It’s common for individuals to seek counsel from those less mature or experienced.

Seeking Agreement Over Wisdom

• Some avoid wise counsel because it challenges their actions, preferring agreement instead.

• Unwise counsel can contaminate decision-making processes with deceit.

The Seriousness of Counsel

Importance of Honest Feedback

• Be cautious of those who always agree with you; they may not provide beneficial insights.

• Many have been misled by poor personal, family, or business counseling.

Long-Term Relationships and Growth

• Working with couples over time reveals the impact of immaturity on relationships.

• Building close relationships helps impart wisdom despite ongoing challenges.

Forgiveness and Understanding Failure

Views on Divorce and Forgiveness

• Personal beliefs emphasize forgiveness over divorce based on scriptural understanding.

• Love manifests through forgiveness, addressing underlying causes of failure rather than condemning individuals.

Addressing Deception in Sin

• Yielding to sin stems from deception; believers should support each other in overcoming this challenge.

God's Counsel vs. Wrong Counsel

Lasting Guidance

• God's counsel stands forever, uniting and edifying individuals while allowing for discipline when necessary.

The Role of Lust in Deception

The Importance of Holiness and Righteousness

• Emphasis on holiness and righteousness against ungodliness and worldliness.

• The grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and live righteously in the present world.

• Paul warns about the corrupt conduct of the old man influenced by deceitful lusts.

Destructive Nature of Lust

• A man's destructive lust led him to divorce his wife over her weight gain.

• Lust can lead to deception, affecting relationships beyond physical appearances.

• Deceptive ideas can infiltrate lives when one opens themselves to lust.

Consequences of Deception in Ministry

• A famous evangelist fell into a lifestyle of lust, leading to national confrontation by ministers.

• His justification for infidelity was met with strong opposition from fellow ministers.

• High-profile individuals are often targeted by deception once they achieve fame.

Vulnerability in Leadership

• Leaders who impact many are more vulnerable to attacks from Satan due to their influence.

• Destruction of a leader can lead to widespread harm among those they influence.

• Faithfulness in prayer for leaders is crucial for their protection against temptation.

Call for Intercession

• Faithful intercession supports pastors facing temptations and challenges in ministry.

• Standing firm in faith can bring blessings not only upon oneself but also upon others.

• Leaders desire success; thus, we must be mindful of our attitudes towards them.

A Disturbing Proposal

Understanding Love and Deception

The Nature of Love vs. Lust

• Love is often confused with lust; true love should not involve deception.

• A woman in a previous church was malnourished despite having financial means.

• Metabolism affects weight gain; some people can gain weight just by smelling food.

Temptation and Control

• Many indulge in food during special occasions, seeking forgiveness afterward.

• Temptations often arise from lust and indulgence, particularly regarding food.

• As we age, our dietary needs change; we must seek God's control over our lives.

Issues within the Church

• A pastor was reported to have inappropriate relationships with multiple women in the church.

• This situation reflects a serious form of deception affecting the body of Christ.

• A young woman faced a crisis when her husband revealed he was homosexual after marriage.

Crisis and Intervention

• The woman's hopes for marriage were shattered, leading her to seek pastoral guidance.

• The speaker emphasizes that God takes severe action against certain sins, especially betrayal.

• The husband displayed manipulative behavior, accumulating debt while relying on his wife.

Faith and Miracles

• Despite challenges, the speaker remained persistent in prayer for miraculous intervention.

• Belief in God's ability to intervene is crucial; He can overrule human rebellion.

God's Communication and Deliverance

The Power of Prayer

• God can be approached through prayer, especially when facing hard-headed individuals.

• Emphasizes the importance of going to God as a central figure in the universe.

Personal Transformation

• A man faced a crisis that led to his surrender; he now has a joyful family.

• A young couple seeks help after two weeks of marriage due to potential divorce.

Addressing Relationship Issues

• The husband reveals his wife wants a divorce; they were advised to seek pastoral help.

• The wife admits difficulty living with one man after her past experiences.

Importance of Teaching and Deliverance

• Past life experiences can create challenges in new relationships.

• Teaching is crucial for enlightening individuals and delivering them from deception.

Confrontation and Repentance

• The speaker confronts the wife's lack of discipline and urges repentance.

• True repentance is presented as essential for overcoming destructive behaviors.

Emotional Breakthrough

• The wife struggles with choices but ultimately begins to weep during the confrontation.