DEFEATING DECEPTION
When I was a kid, Friendly’s was my all-time favorite restaurant. I loved the colorful walls, happy waiters and comfy red booths. But most of all, I loved the Monster Mash Ice Cream Sundae. Not only is the Monster Mash delicious, it’s made to look like an adorable little monster! The mint chocolate chip ice cream scoop makes the monster’s perfectly round face which is completed with M&M eyes, a cherry nose, Reese’s Peanut-Butter Cup ears, chocolate syrup hair and a fluffy whipped-cream monster hat. The menu featured a perfectly-made Monster Mash portrait in the center of the page and I couldn’t wait to finish lunch so I could order one of my own. 

After flying through my basket of chicken fingers, I was waiting with great anticipation for my little monster sundae. Then I saw my smiling waitress come out of the kitchen carrying a tray towards my table. It was time! She set a sundae down in front of me. My heart sank. There must be some mistake. This was not a monster mash. It didn’t look like a monster at all. It was just a scoop of mint ice cream with some candy on top. 

I broke down in tears. At an embarrassingly loud volume, I cried while exclaiming, “It doesn’t look like the picture!” Because of my outburst, I didn’t get any ice cream that day. I was fooled by the photoshopped version of the sundae and left crying over my Monster Mush.

READ 2 Corinthians 11:3
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

The devil is a master of disguise and deception. Since the beginning of time in the Garden of Eden, Satan has been trying to lead God’s children astray with empty promises of something better. 

Satan says, “If you skip youth group you’ll get ahead on homework.” In reality, you’ll miss out on a message God wants you to hear to lay in bed and scroll through Instagram.

Satan says, “If you cheat in this pointless class you’ll eliminate so much unnecessary stress.” In reality, you’ll compromise your morals and put your future at risk if you’re caught. 

The true deception is hidden in the fact that the devil’s proposed path is almost always easier than doing what is right. In order to defeat deception, you’ll need to choose what’s right over what’s easy. Next time you are tempted to take the easy way out, take a moment to think about what you’re actually sacrificing. Don’t give up something with long-term benefit for something with immediate but fleeting pleasure. 

Notice that in 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul says he is afraid that your minds may be led astray. Like so many issues of spiritual warfare, battles of deception are won or lost in your mind. To defeat deception, you must be able to control your thoughts. When Satan is attacking your mind with deceit, combat those tricky traps with righteousness. In Philippians 4:8, Paul says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things and the God of peace will be with you.” If your mind is full of the good things of God, a little internal alarm will go off when you are tempted to choose what is easy over what is right. Then you will recognize the internal battle you’re facing and withstand being led astray.

If you find yourself sacrificing good things from God for empty promises of something better, start strengthening yourself for this battle in your mind. Read the Bible to fill your mind with the truth. Go to church to encourage your mind in Christian community. Hang out with good friends who will influence your mind with love. You can defeat deception by knowing and choosing what is right. 

TALK IT OUT 
Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.

Q1: What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Q2: Can you think of a time when you chose what was easy over what was right? How did it turn out?

Q3: When have you chosen to do what was right, even though it was more challenging? What did you gain?

Q4: What temptations are often disguised as being fun or cool in your school?

Q5: How can you prepare your mind to defeat deception? Commit to taking that step this week.