Succumbing To The
Delusions Of The Devil
"...yielding to the money-mad, sex-obsessed, materialistic and anti-authoritarian drives of modern society are indications that an individual's heart is not in touch with Christ's lordship, but has succumbed to the delusions of the devil."
Proverbs 26:11 says - "As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly."
2 Peter 2:22 says - "But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."
Nelson's Commentary calls it - "succumbing to the delusions of the devil." King Solomon referred to it as - "a fool returning to his folly" or "a dog returning to his vomit." The Apostle Peter added - "the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."
Whichever way you look at it, it is called backsliding, falling away, or apostasy.
And it all happens when a person loses touch with the Lordship of Jesus over his life by "yielding to the money-mad, sex-obsessed, materialistic and authoritarian drives of modern society."
Look around you and see if this is not true today.
How many have once walked with Jesus, sang His praises, prayed without ceasing, witnessed for Him with a fiery zeal, or served Him in whatever capacity or station with great joy and exuberance - but now are lukewarm, "twice dead, plucked up by the roots" (Jude 12), caught up in the ways of the world, or even slaves to sin and Satan?
Matthew Henry offers one explanation for this by saying - "Love to this present world is often the cause of apostasy from the truths and ways of Jesus Christ."
Another reason for backsliding is that sin is not loathed or rejected as something abominable, detestable, loathsome, or repulsive. It is not looked upon as a terrible affront to a Holy God.
What image could be more vile and disgusting than a dog eating up his own vomit?
Yet that is the very picture which Solomon as well as Peter used to depict one defiling himself in that from which he was cleansed or being entangled again with his old sins.
The Scriptures give us guidelines to follow in order to prevent this downhill slide.
What are they?
They can be found in the accounts of -
...the deserters who heard Jesus' words and turned away
...Demas who once was a fellow-laborer of the Apostle Paul
...and the Ephesian Church mentioned in the book of Revelation.
1. Do Not Follow Jesus Based On A Temporal Advantage, Selfish Principle, or Out Of Sheer Excitement
John 6:66 says - "From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him."
Many are induced to follow Jesus for the wrong reasons - based on wrong motives. Then when the Word of the Lord tries them - and it certainly will - they cannot "stand the heat" - so to speak - and fall away. His words of rebuke, reproof, correction, and admonishment become grievous to them.
The result?
They no longer associate with Him or His people; they turn away and desert Him - looking for an avenue of gratification for their many lusts and passions.
2. Do Not "Set Up Camp" In This World
2 Timothy 4:10 says - "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world..."
Believe it or not - Demas was once a close friend and faithful coworker in the Gospel work with the Apostle Paul. However, when he considered the price that serving the Lord can bring - like imprisonment (for Paul was imprisoned at this time) - he backed off in his commitment to Jesus, His Work, and His people.
Due to a fear of suffering, trouble, hardships, or danger stemming from the ministry, he abandoned it all and became entangled in secular affairs. He became obsessed once again with worldly interests, comforts, and pleasures.
3. Do Not Allow Anyone Or Anything To Steal Your Love Away From Jesus
Revelation 2:4 says - "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love."
The Church of Ephesus was commended by the Lord Jesus for many good works. Yet, there was one critical factor which He could not approve of nor overlook - they let down their early, espousal love for Him.
Even though they were waxing bold against the evil of their day - "...canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars" (Revelation 2:2) - they were breaking the first and most important commandment of all which says - "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment" (Matthew 22:37-38).
They lost their strong and ardent affection for Him - that self-denying love - that total abandonment of all out of sheer love for Him.
Whatever they attempted to do in His name - they performed it out of a motive of selfishness - in order to make a name for themselves or draw attention to themselves.
What about it, O Reader?
Do any of these three examples describe you?
Do any of these depictions represent your testimony at this time - "went back, and walked no more with Him"... "forsaken Me, having loved this present world"...or "left thy first love"?
Are you guilty of only serving Jesus for the many benefits - "the loaves and the fishes"? Are you worldly-minded in that you eat, drink, sleep, and live for the world and its many amusements, entertainments, and pleasures?
Were you at one time in love with Jesus to the point where you could not go one second without talking to someone about Him - and now find that your conversation is filled with the business of this world?
If you answered "yes" to any or all of the above, you have already succumbed to the delusions of the devil and are guilty of "yielding to the money-mad, sex-obsessed, materialistic and authoritarian drives of modern society."
In his Commentary on John 6:66, Pastor Henry gave this remark -"The apostasy of Christ's disciples from Him, though really a strange thing, yet has been such a common thing that we need not be surprised at it. Here were many that went back. It is often so; when some backslide many backslide with them; the disease is infectious."
Have you succumbed to the devil's numerous wiles and taken on this infectious disease - as so many in the Church today?
Then realize this - the fact that you are still reading this message indicates that God's grace is yet in operation in your life. It is not too late to turn around and get right with Him!
Read Adam Clarke's encouraging word to you - "...it is not utterly hopeless; the leper may yet be made clean, and the dead may be raised. Reader, is thy backsliding a grief and burden to thee? Then thou art not far from the kingdom of God; believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved."
Picture your sin as vomit and you as a dog returning to it. Take on a total disgust for your backslidden ways. Don't let the devil make a fool out of you any longer. Realize where you went wrong and correct it.
Call on the Lord Jesus for help. He's only a prayer away.
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
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