Most of us are aware of Internet deceptions like get-rich schemes from Nigerian “bankers,” pyramid marketing schemes and fake cashier’s checks for goods are trying to sell. Now a new deception is selling fake Product Keys for popular software from companies like Microsoft and Norton. The deceptions keep getting more subtle as time goes on. What will protect us from the world’s deceptions in each area of our lives? In Judges 1-2, I will number six ways to protect ourselves from deception.
After the death of Joshua, Israel inquired of Lord concerning who should go up first to fight against the Canaanites. Judah defeated the Canaanites, Perizzites, and captured Jerusalem. They took Gaza, Askelon and Ekron with its territory. Lord was with Judah and took possession of hill country, but could not drive out inhabitants of valley because they had iron chariots (Judges 1:1-5,8,18-19).
1. Trust in God’s strength instead of your own efforts and resources as protection from fear and intimidation.
Caleb said that the one who captured Kiriath-sepher would become the husband of his daughter. She asked her father for a field and received the upper and lower springs (Judges 1:12-15).
2. Marry a Spirit-filled person as protection from an impoverished life.
Experiencing God’s power and being married to Spirit-filled person protects us from the world’s deceptions to lead to disobedience. Manasseh did not take possession of certain regions so Canaanites persisted in living in that land. They put them to forced labor, but did not drive them out completely (Judges 1:27-28).
3. Refuse compromise with the world as protection from incomplete obedience and sins of omission.
After the angel of the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, the nation was commanded not to make a covenant with inhabitants of Canaan, but tear down their altars. Their disobedience became thorns and their gods, snares (Judges 2:1-3).
4. Refuse entanglement with the world as protection from disobedience and sins of commission.
Compromise and entanglement with the world leads to ignorance of God and His work. After Joshua’s generation, there rose another generation who did not know the Lord or the work which He had done for Israel (Judges 2:10-15).
5. Take personal responsibility to know the Lord and His power as protection from great distress and plundering by the enemy.
Those who refuse compromise and entanglement with the world become spiritual leaders and godly examples. The Lord raised up judges who delivered them from hands of those who plundered them. Instead of listening to their judges, they played the harlot after other gods and bowed down to them. The Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them. When a judge died, they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers. The Lord allowed the nations to remain by not driving them out quickly (Judges 2:16-23).
6. Follow spiritual leadership and godly example as protection from seduction by false gods.
In summary, you protect yourself from the world’s deceptions as you trust in God’s power, marry a Spirit-filled person, refuse compromise and entanglement with the world, pursue your own relationship with God and follow spiritual leadership and godly example.
Which of the six protections from the world’s deception most speak to you? Choose one or two and ask for God’s power to implement it into your life.
