No Deception

Daniel 2:2b-6 When the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers came in and stood before the king, 3 he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.” 4 Then the astrologers answered the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.” 5 The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. 6 But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.”
 
THE king is the authority. Nothing opposes him. Or is there?
    One way the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers can oppose the king is to collectively deceive him. By proclaiming, “Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”  these men made a false promise. They could tell the king anything their collective minds contrived.
    Lying is sin’s subtle way to reject authority. Not knowing and faithfully believing God’s Holy Word opens our minds to deceit. Our nature is to interpret God in the way that pleases us. “Go ahead,” Temptation says, “it isn’t a sin to ________. You deserve what you desire. You’ll be happy.” Believe the lie. Temptation will quickly minimize and then destroy your relationship with God.
    Rejoice in the wonder of our LORD God. God comes in love and mercy to reveal himself to us. God keeps no secrets. He comes in the law, the prophets, the Son and the Spirit, so you can completely, quickly and easily see his authority over your life. He teaches you the Truth, so you will know the Way unto heaven’s home prepared for you who believe.
    Unlike the king, God’s authority is truly absolute. You cannot lie to him or manipulate him to your own ways. He knows your heart. His only test on your soul is, “Do you believe?” No magicians, enchanters, sorcerers or astrologers are needed to know God.
 
Matthew 24:24-26 “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect — if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. 26 So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.”