The Road to Deception-hard hearts

This blog will be the first of many in a series regarding deception.  It has been a topic that the Lord is bringing up in every quiet moment that I've been having with Him lately.  God's people need to wake up and realize that the enemy (the devil) is sly and skillful in getting the upper hand in people's lives.  I have become so aware of it that I have noticed my flesh falling for it.  If not for the Lord making me more aware, I can sadly say I would fall prey to this also. Our first road sign will be hard hearts.
"Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity." Proverbs 28:14
The enemy has used people's little imperfections (hey, none of us are perfect...remember that the next time you want to throw a stone so easily), people's hurtful or offensive words, people's actions, decisions that have been made that you disagree with,...and on and on. 
You know what I'm talking about!  You know someone right now that wants nothing to do with God or the church because of an offense of someone. Every person is a hypocrite.  Every pastor talks about money. Everyone...everyone...everyone.  For those of us in ministry, we have to fight against this harden heart often.  There are many that take advantage of the generosity of the church and when we have to say "I'm sorry we can't help on this one"...we are ungodly, unloving, hypocrites, prejudice, etc...When we have policies in place and people don't agree with it, we become the church that doesn't care.  When we put on an event and something happens that was out of our control, we are criticized for it and the focus of the entire event is on that one flaw rather than all the good that took place.  CAN ANYONE SEE THE ENEMY!   Can we see his distraction tool and the result is someone is going to get a hard heart. 
Christian, wake up!  Let it not be us.  That verse in proverbs says, those who are reverent are happy, meaning you are deeply respectful of God and His word and ways that it just becomes a natural part of your life and character.   Yet, on the other hand, those who allow this hard heart will fall into calamity. The definition for calamity: a great misfortune or disaster; catastrophe; grievous affliction; misery. 
Enough said.  Who wants that on themselves, their family, their job, their church, their community?
One of the many quotes that I have hanging in my classroom is, "seek to change and improve myself first".  It begins with us first.  We must see the enemy but then have the wisdom to handle it according to God's way.  According to my 17 year old, "but it's hard mom!".  Well, ya.  If it was easy, everyone would do it.  I tell her to practice God's word like she practices her shots in basketball.  You do it over and over and over again.  You get better and it becomes easier.

Think about people or situations that you have allowed to harden your heart and LET IT GO TODAY.  Don't go down that road.  The end result is not good.

Next blog on deception....coming soon!
The Mrs. Pastor