It Starts Small

God’s Word provides detailed explanation of Heavenly wisdom, which leads to godliness, or earthy demonic wisdom which leads to corruption.

---

Paul tells us, those who pursue godliness will be persecuted.

² In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 

2 Timothy 3:13

In contrast, he says the sins of “evil people and imposters” can be expected to get worse. What Timothy was experiencing was only going to get worse. These false teachers and imposters would not get any better because such people are deceiving and being deceived.

Paul is constantly raising the alarm against the deceptions of imposters:

¹⁸ because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words. Romans 16:18

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. Ephesians 5:6

He often warns us against spiritual deception:

¹⁸ Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool so that he can become wise. 1 Corinthians 3:18

³ For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Galatians 6:3

³ For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive. 1 Thessalonians 2:3

James gave a similar warning of those who are deceived:

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters James 1:16

²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself. James 1:26

John also gave similar warnings:

⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

²⁶ I have written these things to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. 1 John 2:26

⁷ Little children, let no one deceive you. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 1 John 3:7

Deception was a major problem even in the earliest churches and continues to be an area of concern today. God hates deception. It is very clear in the His Word that deceit is an act that God hates.

¹⁶ The Lord hates six things;
in fact, seven are detestable to him:
¹⁷ arrogant eyes, a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
¹⁸ a heart that plots wicked schemes,
feet eager to run to evil,
¹⁹ a lying witness who gives false testimony,
and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.

Proverbs 6:16-19

In order to follow the Lord’s path deceit cannot be in your heart and soul. It is the corrupted path that not only deceives others but it is allowing yourself to be deceived.

---

If you are following along in the Journal, the back pages have a table of Heavenly Wisdom vs. Corrupted Wisdom. Today’s scripture is in the blocks under the column Corrupted Wisdom. If you get stuck, you can visit this page and see my example.